Persephone Sextou

I always had a passion for theatre, stories and creative ways of connecting with audiences.

Theatre and Storytelling have run in my veins for many millennia.. My origins and my fortunate childhood offered me unforgettable theatrical experiences in Greece at the Hellenistic Theatre of Dion in Macedonia in Northern Greece, the amphitheatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus under the Acropolis in Athens, and the iconic Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Peloponnese.

My first degree in Early Childhood Education (BA Hons University of Ioannina, 1987-1991, with a teaching qualification) helped me to make the connections between theatre, dramatic play, children's expression and development.

I was fortunate to pursue my postgraduate Master's degree in Theatre Studies (Masters of Arts Lancaster University, 1991-1992). My MA dissertation was about Theatre-in-Education. Supervised by Professor Baz Kershaw.

Starting a Doctorate of Philosophy in Drama and Theatre Education (Goldsmith College University of London) in 1998 was the beginning of a new journey. As a Doctoral student, I was fully immersed in a research culture of critical enquiry, innovation and experimentation in the performing arts combined with education and pedagogy. Supervised by Brian Roberts. I was awarded my PhD in 2004.

Over the years my practice and research has explored the role of embodied and immersive performance in education, using the body as a tool for learning through audience participation, and the role of embodied and mediated performance in healthcare as a tool for normalising the experience of illness through artistic connection and digital creativity.

My mixed-methodological model of participatory bedside performance with digital assets explores the relationship between the audience (inpatient) and the actor, the physical being and their energy, the interaction of their bodies, thoughts, and actions within the protective fictional frame of a story.

My employment journey since 1992

Associate Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Education at Universities in Greece, 1992-2008.

Senior Lecturer in Drama at Birmingham Newman University, 2009-2015.

Reader (Associate Professor) at Birmingham Newman University, 2015-2020.

Adjunct Research Fellow at the Centre of Social and Cultural Change, Griffith University, Australia, 2019-2022.

Professor in Applied Theatre for Health and Well-being at Birmingham Newman University, 2020-2021.

Professor and the Director of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health at Canterbury Christ Church University, 2021-2023.

Visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of New South Wales UNSW Sydney, Australia, 2022-today.

Professor in Performing Arts (Applied Theatre in health & Wellbeing) Leeds School of arts, Leeds Beckett University, 2023-today.

Professor Persephone Sextou

My Journey