Bristol Old Vic theatre has been involved for several years in teaching some of the University of Bristol’s drama students, and there's a long tradition of graduates from the University working in the theatre.

One of the projects that Bristol Old Vic heritage department has evolved is a creative collaboration called the Memory of Theatre. The theatre works every year with students on the drama course to record memories of the general public in Bristol. The students then create their artworks from those archives. From a creative point of view, this is an example of a fulfilling, stretching collaboration between the theatre and the University.

The theatre is also involved in the MyWorld project, which is a significant experimental investment in creative practice through digital media that will impact Bristol Old Vic’s theatre programme.

Bristol Old Vic chose to work with the University of Bristol because a theatre is a place of discovery.

Tom Morris, Former Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic theatre says

‘’The theatre is a place where a city can be inspired to understand itself in new ways, not only in terms of its history and its present, but in terms of its future, and a university could and should hold the same function for the region that it sits in.’’

The opportunity for a theatre with that vision, to collaborate with a university, with the reputation, track record, and the potential of University of Bristol is enormous.

“What I hope might happen in the future is that these collaborations might grow, that the University might accelerate its enthusiasm for these kinds of collaborations so that everyone can see the extraordinary resources that the University has to offer, not just for those students who end up doing a degree course at the University, but for the whole city region.” Tom Morris, Former Artistic Director, Bristol Old Vic theatre.