Theatre Centre's Rob Watt: 'My current mantra is: Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can'

How did you start off in theatre?

Drama lessons at school were the one place where I felt myself and where I found out about the world. I then started going to a youth theatre in Telford, which was a great inspiration. After failing my A levels, I went through clearing and landed into the first-ever dramaturgy degree in the country. It was here I found out about directing and I never looked back. This is why it is so important that the arts and drama in schools are given more priority – we are in an existential crisis, if we continue on this trajectory then where do the artists of tomorrow come from?

What is the best piece of advice you have for drama students and graduates today?

See as much work as you can, make as much work as you can and talk to as many people as you can. Also, my current mantra is the brilliant quote: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

What would you change about theatre?

There’s so much great work happening but, unfortunately, so many things still need to change. If the industry, its companies and the people involved started to listen to each other and the communities they serve, we might have a chance to address the systemic issues we face substantially.

What are the best/hardest parts of your job?

There is nothing better than the alchemy of being in a room of teenagers and artists digging into gigantic, crunchy, existential ideas. It’s challenging when there isn’t enough time or money to bring all the ideas to reality.

Which arts practitioners do you admire/would recommend students find out about?

Read Alan Lane’s The Club on the Edge of Town. His work challenges our perceptions of the purpose of art and highlights the potential for theatre and the arts to have a profound impact outside of traditional venues. Despite lacking the appearance of glamour, both his work and mine have the power to transform individuals and communities.

What is the one skill every successful theatre professional should have?

Empathy – it’s concerning how many don’t have this superpower.