BA (Hons) Acting and Performance
Whether it’s treading the boards, or taking your mark in front of a camera, our acting and performance degree gives you the freedom to follow your dream, with real-world experience in the industry.
View courseDr James Peachey-Baker
PhD, FHEA, PGCertHE, MA, BA (Hons)
Lecturer
School of Creative Industries
Biography
James is a theatre maker, academic and artist. He is also co-artistic director, and board member, of Bootworks Theatre Company.
Alongside being a lecturer in Acting and Performance at Solent University, James is also a senior lecturer in the Theatre Department at the University of Chichester and programme-coordinates the BA (Hons) in Drama, Theatre and Directing.
Previously he has taught on the undergraduate programme at the University of Portsmouth and guest lectured on the MA in Advanced Theatre Practice at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
James has been published in numerous publications and has won a Total Theatre Award for Innovation in 2010 (as well as receiving nominations in 2009 and 2015). With Bootworks, James has toured his work to 12 countries worldwide with support from The British Council and has frequently received funding from Arts Council England to make and tour work nationally.
Further information
NINE (2019-onwards) Director, Presented by Bootworks: Indoor touring work. Commissioned by Arts Council England (ACE), Strike A Light Festival, GL4 & Attenborough Arts Centre.
The JukeBoxes (2016-onwards) Director/Performer, Presented by Bootworks: Outdoor touring work. Commissioned by Arts Council England (ACE), Without Walls and Applause Rural Touring. Performed at the National Theatre.
Bootworks Theatre Talkshop Podcasts (2016-onwards) A free podcast that interviews individuals/companies making/supporting progressive children’s performance.
Cards for Devising (2016-onwards) A free resource for schools and colleges that encourages the making of new theatre works. Distributed in 23 countries and supported by The University of Chichester.
The Many Doors of Frank Feelbad (2015) Director/Performer, Presented by Bootworks: Our second work of children’s theatre. A piece exploring notions of loss and grief. Commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre and supported by Worthing Theatres, artsdepot and ACE.
Now Listen To Me Very Carefully (2014) Performer, Presented by Bootworks: A filmic adaptation of Terminator 2 addressing issues around compulsion and obsessive behaviour. Commissioned by Redbridge Drama Centre, The ShowRoom and Home and supported by ACE.
30 Days to Edinburgh (2012) Director/Performer, Presented by Bootworks: A durational project whereby the three Artistic Directors of Bootworks walked from their home in Chichester to Edinburgh where they shared a performance documenting their journey. Supported by ShowRoom Chichester.
The Incredible Book Eating Boy (The Black Box, 2011) Director/Performer, Presented by Bootworks: An adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Oliver Jeffers. A 5-minute performance for an audience of one child and parent at a time. Supported by ACE, British Council, 3M and ShowRoom Chichester. Performed in UK, Brazil and Egypt.
Predator; Finishing What I Started When I Was Five (2011) Dramaturg, Presented by Bootworks: A participative performance exploration of fraternal relations and loss. Performed by Andy Roberts. Supported by The Basement Brighton and ShowRoom Chichester.
30 Days to Space (2010) Solo Performance, Presented by Bootworks: Winner of a Total Theatre Award (2010). A durational project where I climbed to the height of space over the course of 30 days; fulfilling a life-long aspiration to become an astronaut. Supported by The Forest Fringe and ShowRoom Chichester.
Little Box of Horrors (The Black Box, 2009) Director/Performer, Presented by Bootworks: A theatrical deconstruction of the horror film genre. Drawing from and referencing a range of filmic and literary stimuli, stemming from an initial interest in Freud’s The Uncanny and how Kubric exploits this notion in his adaptation of The Shining. Shortlisted for a Total Theatre Award (2009). Supported by ACE, Without Walls, British Council, Forest Fringe, Battersea Arts Centre and Farnham Maltings. Performed in UK, Japan and China.
Une Boite Andalouse (The Black Box, 2007) Performer, Presented by Bootworks: A theatrical deconstruction and pastiche of Dali and Bunuel’s Un Chien Andalou (and other Surrealist films). Supported by ACE, Without Walls, British Council, Forest Fringe, Battersea Arts Centre and Farnham Maltings. Performed in UK, France, Brazil, Germany, Norway, China and Japan.
Taught courses
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre
Experience the thrill of musical theatre with regular performances, expert coaching, audition prep, and industry showcases to give you the skills and confidence to shine on stage and screen.
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