Professor Emma Smith to join the Board of the Royal Shakespeare Company

Emma Smith

Congratulations to Professor Emma Smith who will be joining the Royal Shakespeare Company's Board. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) creates exceptional theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and around the world, performing plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as commissioning a wide range of original work from contemporary writers. Their purpose is to ensure that Shakespeare – and theatre as a whole – is for everyone, and they do that by unlocking the power of his plays and live performance, and with their learning and education work throughout the UK and across the world. The RSC’s Board is made up of 15 people all chosen for their varied skills and experience.

Professor Smith was announced as an RSC Associate Scholar in 2021 and co-Chaired the RSC Expert Research Group for the landmark Time To Act project which reveals ground-breaking insights into the impact arts learning has on young people’s language development and confidence, and was launched in February 2024.

Professor Smith said: “I am absolutely chuffed and honoured to be joining the RSC board at such an exciting and dynamic time for the Company. I really look forward to lending my support to its ambitious programme, and to learning more about all its activities, on and off stage.”

RSC Chair Shriti Vadera added: "Emma is one of the UK's leading Shakespeare scholars and has been helping us make our house playwright’s work accessible to audiences and participants of all ages for many years. We are absolutely delighted she has agreed to join our Board.”