"Going Off Script With..." is a series of informal conversations with actors, broadcasters, directors and producers of stage, screen and everything in between, all of them notable alumni of Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh (QMU).
Our guests talk candidly about their paths to success, from university days through to career highlights with plenty of fun, insightful anecdotes in between.
This first QMU Alumni podcast series celebrates 50 years of Drama and Performance teaching at QMU, and is hosted by Professor David Stevenson, Dean of the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management.
Since 1971, when the Edinburgh College of Speech and Drama was incorporated into Queen Margaret College, thousands of graduates from our acting, drama and theatre arts courses, have gone on to thrive in a variety of careers in the creative industries, and beyond.
Find out more about our 50 Years of Performance and Drama at QMU throughout 2022 and meet our notable alumni!
Visit: www.qmu.ac.uk/50-anniversary (http://www.qmu.ac.uk/50-anniversary)
#50YearsQMU
"Going Off Script With..." Episode 6 - Stef Smith, Playwright and Screenwriter
In our sixth and final episode, Prof. David Stevenson is joined by QMU Class of 2009 Drama & Theatre Arts graduate, the Scottish Playwright and Screenwriter Stef Smith.
Stef has had an incredibly successful career writing for stage, screen and radio. Her plays include Nora: A Doll’s House, Swallow, Enough and the Oliver-award-winning Roadkill.
Her recent screen credits include, Float, the BBC Scotland drama, which shines a light on the lives of LGBTQ+ teens living in rural communities.
We have a fascinating conversation as Stef shares her love for telling stories. Stef takes us back to her QMU days which include learning the importance of making mistakes, sharing halls with a pigeon and the weekly bus from student halls to Mood Nightclub (an old haunt for many QMU graduates).
So, relax and enjoy ‘Going off script with... Stef Smith’.”
7 Apr 2022
"Going Off Script With..." Episode 5 - Jordan Young, Actor, BBC River City
“Our fifth episode of interviews with notable Queen Margaret University drama alumni, sees Prof. David Stephenson catch up with Class of 2001 Acting graduate, and fellow proud Fifer, Jordan Young.
Jordan is best known for his long running role as Alex McAllister in River City, as well as PC Jack McLaren in Scot Squad. On top of this, in 2019 he became a regular part of the Edinburgh Kings Theatre panto.
Jordan and David chat about his childhood where he had a love for making adults laugh. He recalls his QM days from singing Robbie Williams Angels at his audition, to eating beans on toast in student digs with his now lifelong best mates. He gives us a fascinating insight into the life of an actor. I especially enjoy his story on splashing the cash at River Island after his first paid acting job. Oh and listen carefully for an exclusive on Jordan’s chances of being the next 007.
So, relax and enjoy ‘Going off script with Jordan Young.”
25 Mar 2022
"Going Off Script With" Episode 4 - Emma Hay, Programme Manager, Edinburgh International Festival
In our fourth episode, I was delighted be joined in person by Class of 2011 Drama & Theatre Arts Graduate. Over the past 10 years, she has gone on to build a successful career working in several theatre and festival companies including the Ambassador Theatre Group, Tron Theatre, Glasgow; Edinburgh International Book Festival and is now Programme Manager at the Edinburgh International Festival.
Emma gives us a great insight into her time at QMU, including being one of the first cohorts of students on our Musselburgh campus, building lifelong friendships with her course mates and how important societies were to her student experience.
So, relax and enjoy ‘Going off script with Emma Hay’.
10 Mar 2022
"Going Off Script With" Episode 3 - Paul Ewing, Composer and Producer
“Our third episode sees us catch up with Class of 1996 Acting graduate, now composer and producer, Paul Ewing, who joins us from his home recording studio in Bangkok, Thailand. Paul has had an incredibly varied career as an actor, voice artist, presenter, producer, singer, songwriter, and music composer.
Our conversation takes us through his career highlights including his own show on Cbeebies, stints at Scottish Ballet and the Royal Shakespeare Company, to more recently when he was commissioned by the Royal Foundation in Thailand to compose the Official Birthday song for the late King Rama 9’s 85th Birthday – he really has done it all!
Paul really has made an incredible impact on the creative arts and he’s not finished yet. So, relax and enjoy ‘Going off script with Paul Ewing’.”
23 Feb 2022
"Going Off Script With" Episode 2 - Jemima Levick - Artistic Director (A Play, A Pie and A Pint)
In this episode, host Professor David Stephenson goes off script with Artistic Director of A Play, A Pie and a Pint, Jemima Levick, who graduated from Queen Margaret University in 2002 with a degree in Drama and Theatre Arts.
Jemima talks about her love of Scottish Theatre, her discovery of Scottish plays whilst at university, talks candidly about directing her first big show and reminisces about the weekly theatre assessment reviews during her student years.
"Going Off Script With..." is a podcast series of candid interviews with stars of stage, screen and behind the scenes of the creative industry, hosted by Prof. David Stevenson, Dean of QMU's School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management.
This QMU alumni podcast was created to celebrate 50 years of Drama and Performance teaching at the University in 2022.
#50YearsQMU
9 Feb 2022
"Going Off Script With" Episode 1 - Steve Parkinson of Bauer Media Group
In Episode 1, we're "going off script with..." Steve Parkinson, Chief Strategic Partnerships and Events Officer at Bauer Media Group and Queen Margaret University alumni, class of 1988.
During Steve's long career in broadcasting, he has managed national British radio stations such as Kiss FM, Magic FM and Absolute Radio.
Steve graduated from what was then known as Queen Margaret College (QMC) in 1988 with a Diploma in Drama (Stage Management) with Distinction.
Join us, as Steve chats candidly about his career highlights and student days, including how he managed to convince Runrig to play a gig in the Corstorphine campus canteen, got Wayne Sleep to open a student union charity fête and talks about the importance of his father’s sound advice to stay calm by ‘keeping the heid’.
"Going Off Script With..." is a podcast series of candid interviews with stars of stage, screen and behind the scenes of the creative industry, hosted by Prof. David Stevenson, Dean of QMU's School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management.
This QMU alumni podcast was created to celebrate 50 years of Drama and Performance teaching at the University in 2022.
#50YearsQMU
4 Feb 2022
Trailer - "Going Off Script With..." with host Prof. David Stevenson
Introducing "Going Off Script With...", a series of informal conversations with actors, broadcasters, directors, producers and performing arts industry experts, celebrating 50 years of Drama and Performance at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (QMU).
Each guest is notable alumnus of QMU and the podcast is hosted by Professor David Stevenson, Dean of the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management.
This is the first QMU Alumni Podcast production.
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