Award-winning producer of TV favourites among guests at Creative Futures event

A BAFTA award-winning producer, writer and editor of some of the UK’s most famous TV shows is among guests from the creative industries who will feature in a day of inspiring free workshops and talks organised by the University of Chester (@uochester).

The University’s Department of Music, Media and Performance is delighted to host the Creative Futures event at the Creative Campus, Kingsway, Chester, on Wednesday January 19, 2022.

Producer, writer and story/script editor Stuart Blackburn will join the line-up to share his knowledge, insight, experience, and answer questions.

Stuart’s credits include: The Bill, Ballykissangel, Crossroads, Casualty, Doctors, Top Buzzer, Dream Team, CBBC’s 4 O’Clock Club, River City and award-winning tenures, including two BAFTAs, as series producer of ITV’s Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

Stuart is also is an Honorary Doctor Of Literature and has spent 10 years directing and writing theatre productions, including working with; Opera North, Northern Stage, Moscow State Theatre Of Nations and Faulty Optic Puppet Theatre.

Further sessions open to the public during the day will feature:

• Maria Breslin, Liverpool Echo Editor.
• Professor Paul Johnson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Chester. Paul has worked as a director and writer, and his research includes exploring the links between performance and science; experimental performance and new writing; and the use of theatre in museums and heritage sites.
• Songbirds Music UK, a Community Interest Company (CIC) delivering high-quality specialised music projects and training in health, disability and community settings for children, young people and families affected by medical conditions, hospitalisation and disability. 
• AmaSing, an arts organisation and charity foundation which provides exciting opportunities for children and young people.
• TiPP (Theatre in Prisons and Probation), an organisation working to see the arts playing a part at all levels of the Criminal Justice System.

Dr Pamela Barnes, Senior Lecturer, Programme Leader for BA Acting and BA Drama, and one of the organisers said: “We’ve designed the event to celebrate the creative industries, offer fascinating insights, inspiration for future careers, the chance to broaden skills and enjoy networking opportunities.

“We are excited to offer this day of free talks and workshops, and to welcome all our guests on the 19th.”