Rose Bruford College

28/08/2026

We're very proud to announce Jennifer Sims as our second Honorary Fellow 🎓

As our former Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jennifer has played an important role in the life and development of and has been a passionate advocate for the opportunities education can create 🌹

Throughout a distinguished career in further education, Jennifer has championed widening participation and educational inclusion, creating new pathways into the arts for people who might otherwise face barriers to taking part.

Among her many achievements, she pioneered new vocational routes into the arts, including developing the first BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, and forged partnerships between education, local authorities and community organisations to open up new opportunities for learners 🎭

We’re so pleased to be able to recognise Jennifer’s outstanding contribution to education, widening participation and the performing arts by welcoming her as an Honorary Fellow of the College.

Jennifer will be conferred at our Graduation Ceremony on 11 September.

28/08/2026

We're pleased to announce acclaimed comedian Ola Labib as our first Honorary Fellowship recipient 🎓

Represented by UTC Artist Management, Portsmouth-born Ola is one of the fastest-rising names in British comedy.

Best known for her infectious charm, edgy comedy material and wry humour, her engaging stories draw on her experiences growing up in a strict Islamic and traditional African household, with her father cited as her biggest comedy hero.

She has supported Mo Gilligan at the O2 Arena and amassed an impressive list of TV credits 📺

In 2024, Ola completed her first sold-out tour run for her debut show pOLArising and announced her first scripted project with Channel 4, The Pharmacy, released in 2025 to critical acclaim.

Ola will receive her Honorary Fellowship on the first day of our Graduation Ceremonies on 10 September.

27/08/2026

We're delighted to announce award-winning actress Macarena Gómez as our second 2026 Fellowship recipient 🎓

Since making her acting debut over 25 years ago, Rose Bruford College alumna Macarena Gómez, represented by Paper Street Actors Co., has appeared in nearly 100 film, television and theatre productions. She has received almost 50 awards and nominations, including a Goya Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in Shrew’s Nest.

For 17 seasons, she has been one of the lead actors in La que se avecina, one of the most successful television series ever produced in Spain. More recently, she starred alongside Paul Giamatti in the HBO series 30 Coins, marking her return to working with director Álex de la Iglesia following Witching & Bitching (Las brujas de Zugarramurdi) 📺

She also appeared in Holy Family, a Netflix series that reached the Top 10 most-watched programmes in more than 50 countries, and in the horror film Deep Fear (Netflix), directed by Marcus Adams and co-starring Ed Westwick.

📸 We were particularly pleased to uncover archive photos of Macarena Gomez from Rose Bruford productions of The Crucible and Federico García Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba.

Macarena will receive her Fellowship on the second day of our Graduation Ceremonies on 11 September.

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Nos complace anunciar que la galardonada actriz Macarena Gómez es la segunda destinataria de nuestra beca honorífica (Fellowship) para 2026 🎓

Desde que debutó como actriz hace más de 25 años, Macarena Gómez - antigua alumna del Rose Bruford College y representada por Paper Street Actors - ha participado en cerca de 100 producciones de cine, televisión y teatro. Ha recibido casi 50 premios y nominaciones, incluida una candidatura al Goya a la Mejor Actriz por su interpretación en 'Musarañas' (Shrew’s Nest).

Durante 17 temporadas, ha sido una de las actrices protagonistas de 'La que se avecina', una de las series de televisión de mayor éxito producidas en España. Más recientemente, protagonizó junto a Paul Giamatti la serie de HBO '30 Monedas' (30 Coins), marcando su reencuentro profesional con el director Álex de la Iglesia tras Las brujas de Zugarramurdi' (Witching & Bitching) 📺

También participó en 'Sagrada Familia' (Holy Family), serie de Netflix que se situó en el Top 10 de programas más vistos en más de 50 países, y en la película de terror 'Deep Fear' (Netflix), dirigida por Marcus Adams y coprotagonizada por Ed Westwick.

📸 Nos hizo especial ilusión encontrar fotos de archivo de Macarena Gómez en las producciones del Rose Bruford de The Crucible y 'La casa de Bernarda Alba', de Federico García Lorca.

Macarena recibirá su distinción el segundo día de nuestras ceremonias de graduación, el 11 de septiembre.

27/08/2026

We're delighted to announce David Ajao as our first Summer 2026 Fellow 🎓

David Ajao is a Rose Bruford College alumnus represented by UTC Artist Management whose body of work spans theatre, television and film.

He has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing in productions including As You Like It, Measure for Measure and Othello 🎭

His screen credits include Holby City, Sunny D, Not Going Out and Mammoth.

Alongside his acting career, Ajao is also an accomplished writer and script editor, with credits including The Big Breakfast, Slim’s Guide to Life and Stupid Central.

David will receive his Fellowship on the first day of our Graduation Ceremonies on 10 September.

27/08/2026

🎓 Summer Graduation 2026 is just around the corner, and it's almost time to reveal some special guests...

Every year, Rose Bruford hands out Fellowships and Honorary Fellowships to our community and those who inspire us.

This Summer, we're celebrating five exceptional recipients - and we'll be introducing each of them to you later today 👀

26/08/2026

Recently, alumna Christelle Elwin returned to where her creative journey began to film scenes for her first short - Masc.

From historic Lamorbey House to our surrounding grounds and the iconic Rose Theatre, our campus offers a versatile backdrop for your next project.

To find out more about the film and Christelle's journey, read her story in comments.

To enquire about hiring our spaces for your next shoot, get in touch: [email protected]

19/08/2026

Alumni Spotlight: Ben Cracknell ✨

Ben is an award-winning lighting designer working across theatre, opera and television. He is now an Associate Artist at Curve Theatre, Leicester, and his television credits include the Classic BRIT Awards and numerous Olivier Awards ceremonies.

His work has also been recognised with two Knight of Illumination Awards 🏆

In an In Conversation with Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Ben talks about the childhood experience that first sparked his fascination with lighting, his time at Rose Bruford and the early career experiences that helped shape his practice - including returning to Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the theatre that first inspired him.

Discover his story via our website.

13/08/2026

Results day is here! 🎓

Whatever your results, today is the start of an exciting new chapter. If you're thinking about where your studies could take you, there’s still time to join us at Rose Bruford College this September and start your creative journey.

We have Clearing places available across a range of courses in performance, design, and technical & production arts.

Find out more and apply by 31 August: https://www.bruford.ac.uk/study/clearing-2026/







Photo: Spring Awakening at Greenwich Theatre 2026

05/08/2026

We’ve been hearing about so many amazing Fringe projects that we’ve popped them all in a blog! 🎭

We love hearing what our students and alumni are up to.

Got a production coming up? Add us to your press list or let us know what you’re working on by emailing [email protected].

Discover Rose Bruford graduating students and alumni taking new work to Edinburgh and Camden fringe festivals.

Read the blog:

This August, we're proud to see our graduating students and alumni take original work to two of the UK's most celebrated performing arts festivals: the

04/08/2026

We're so proud to see many of our graduating students and alumni taking new work to Edinburgh and Camden Fringes this August 🎭

If you're out and about this month, look out for their shows:

Truth Warrior
📍 theSpace @ Surgeon's Hall - 7 - 15 August
📍 theSpace @ Niddry Street - 17 - 22 August

The Librarians: A Very Serious Comedy (in association with The Pleasance)
📍 Pleasance
5–31 August
🏆 Charlie Hartill Award Finalists
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ List Publishing Ltd (The List Magazine)

Very Hot, Very Messy – Georgia Polly Taylor
📍 Underbelly
5–30 August
🏆 Brighton Fringe 2026 Bursary Winner
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Everything Theatre

The Boy in the Ocean
📍 The Cockpit – 17 August
📍 The Courtyard – 22 August
🎭 Camden Fringe
✨ Featuring Spotlight Award Nominee Sofia Bryan Compton

Every Single Sound in the World – Natalie Patuzzo
Debut solo clown show
📍 Greenside, George Street
24–29 August
🏆 2026 Brighton Fringe Outstanding Neurodiverse Performance Award Nominee
🏆 2026 Greater Manchester Fringe Best Newcomer Nominee

In Perfect Harmony
📍 Greenside, George Street
17 - 29 August

We wish everyone involved a fantastic Fringe and every success with their performances this month.