MORGAN THOMAS
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Professional Training
QUALIFICATIONS
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGLTHE) awarded via UWE Academic Professional Programme 2024-25
FHEA : Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2025
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Professional Practice (PGCAPP) awarded via UWE Academic Professional Programme 2020-21
AFHEA : Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2025
First Class BA (Hons) Drama (Theatre & Media)
ATRiUM (USW) and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama 2009
Frantic Assembly training and devising residencies. Scott Graham, Krista Vuori, Imogen Knight 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. Online advanced masterclasses 2021
Punchdrunk enrichment residencies. Company devising methods and performance practices. Matthew Blake, Peter Higgin 2014 & 2015. Online advanced masterclasses 2021
Perdekamp Emotional Method. Intensive international course with creator of method Stephan Perdekamp, July 2016. Workshops with Sarah Victoria 2013, 2016, 2019
Fio Black Asian and Minority Ethnic participatory artistic training Programme, 2014 - 2016
Improbable Improvisation skills residency.. Phelim McDermott, Lee Simpson 2017
Living Pictures Productions professional actors studio. Actor training. Elen Bowman, Robert Bowman 2015, 2016
Complicité residency. Company devising and performance practice. Joyce Henderson 2012
Meisner and Directing: Stephen Bayly 2009 - 2012
Physical Theatre: Janis Claxton 2009, Tanja Råman 2012, Simon Whitehead 2008
Applied Theatre and Theatre of the Oppressed: Dr Jennifer S Hartley 2009 - 2012. Iwan Brioc 2011 Estonia Residency & 2014. Adrian Jackson 2007
Puppetry: Blind Summit Residency 2014. Subsequent ‘Meet Fred’ development & touring, Tom Espina & Giulia Innocenti, 2016 to 2019
Screen Acting: Kevin Allen, Rowland Beckley, Ben Cogan, Laura Cotton, Dave Evans, Lauren Evans (Nina Gold Casting), Sue Needleman, Ross O’Hennessy, Griff Rowland , Sara Sugarman 2013 - 2016
AWARDS
Good Theatre Festival 2020 (Online): Award for Best Innovative Use of Technology and for Best Director.
Member of devising, creative team and cast for ‘Metamorphosis’ Hijinx Theatre
The Guardian review (four stars): https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/aug/22/metamorphosis-review-playful-spin-on-kafka-for-the-zoom-age
Wales Theatre Awards: Best Ensemble 2017
Cast member and deviser of ‘Meet Fred’ by Hijinx Theatre in collaboration with Blind Summit
Volcano Theatre: Yr Odyn Artist Award 2016
Recipient of 2016 award, funding and mentoring to create a solo physical theatre work performed at Volcano Artist Showcase 2016
National Diversity Awards 2013 : Community Organisation Award: Disability
Cast member and deviser of ‘Real Human Being’ by Taking Flight Theatre, written by Matthew Bulgo
LECTURER | ACADEMIC
University of West England (UWE)
City Campus (Arnolfini & Bower Ashton)
Website & email: Dr Amanda Penlington
Lecturer in Acting
Permanent full-time
Dates: Sept 2022 to present
Module Leader : L5 Acting for Stage
Co-module Lead : L4 Introduction to Actor Training
Tutor for L6 Acting for Screen, L5 Acting for Stage, L4 Introduction to Actor Training. Content taught via workshop sessions within practical theatre / studio spaces.
Assessment : Performance, process and written elements
Second Marker : L6 Avant Garde, L5 Devising and Physical Theatre, L4 Introduction to Physical Theatre
Academic Personal Tutor and Wellbeing Representative
International Exchange Academic Coordinator (Interim)
Dates: October 2024 to present
Additional role alongside full-time Lecturer in Acting; providing cover for staff during long term leave.
Academic, administrative and pastoral support, for incoming and outgoing exchange students within UWE StudyAbroad Scheme.
Assessment of materials within visual arts, media and film.
Associate Lecturer
Dates: Sept 2021 to Sept 2022
Tutor for L5 Acting for Stage, L4 Introduction to Actor Training, L4 Introduction to Physical Theatre. Content taught via workshop sessions within practical theatre / studio spaces.
Assessment of performance, process and written elements.
Lecturer in Physical Theatre
Dates: Oct 2020 to June 2021
Full-time fixed term contract for one academic year (maternity cover)
Tutor of L4 Introduction to Physical Theatre’ via in-person, online and blended learning. Assessment of both practical and written elements. Decolonisation of module content.
Second marking : L5 Acting for Stage and L4 Introduction to Actor Training.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD)
Cardiff Campus
Visiting Professional : Movement Director
Working with director Rhian Blythe and final year BA Perfformio students, devising physical theatre choreography for production ‘Noson yn y Glwys.’
September to November 2021
Hourly Paid Lecturer
MA Module ADPA7000C
HPL working with MA Performance & MA Musical Theatre students, teaching physical theatre skills and devising methods. Assessment of performance material and written content.
Sept 2020 to March 2021
Associate Lecturer : Digital Performance Maker
Working with director Elen Bowman. Assembly and edit of final year students’ online performance ‘UN’ with streaming on BBC Wales.
June 2020
Associate Lecturer : Digital Performance Maker
Working with director Elen Bowman. Producing MA Perfformio final performances in online format. Also with BA Perfformio move of ‘Spring Awakening’ performance to digital performance.
May 2020
Hourly Paid Lecturer
MA Module HPCB7005C
HPL working with MA Performance & MA Musical Theatre students. Practical module developing physical theatre skills and devising methods, delivered by tutors Eddie Ladd and Morgan Thomas. Tutors assessing both devised solo and group performances.
September 2019 to February 2020
Visiting Professional : Movement Director
Working with director Aled Pedrick and final year BA Perfformio students, creating movement sequences and choreography for ‘100 / Cant’ (written by Neil Monaghan, Diene Petterle, Christopher Heimann) staged public performances at The Dance House WMC.
April & May 2019
Visiting Professional : Movement Director
Working with director Elen Bowman and final year BA Perfformio students, creating movement sequences for staged performances of ‘Undod’ by Branwen Davies at the Gate Arts Centre. The student cast was joined by professional actress Eiry Thomas.
May & June 2018
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Visiting Professional
Workshops for MA Musical Theatre postgraduates exploring physical theatre methods and devising techniques.
May 2016, Nov 2017, February & March 2018, January 2020
Young Actors Studio: Physical Theatre & Acting Tutor
Acting course for ages 16-20 with industry professionals at the Royal Welsh College. Limited class size with entry by audition.
Classes cover the key features of professional actor training: audition technique, improvisation, text, movement, voice, acting through song, acting for the camera.
January 2018 to 2024
Young Actors Studio: Movement Director, Devising Team, Digital Assembly
HPL devising physical task-based choreography for contemporary performance ‘The Lost Ones.’ Assembly of this digital production into online format.
June to August 2021
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Hourly Paid Lecturer
BA Performing Arts (Contemporary Performance). Create and Perform - Module M4X01065
HPL module tutor, including assessment of performance and written materials.
First year undergraduates collaboratively find a topic for development of a devised work. Work performed to an audience at the end of the process. Duration of devised performances to be 45-60 minutes.
March to May 2017
Hourly Paid Lecturer
Challenge & Explore - Module M4X01064: HPL module tutor, including assessment of practical and theoretical material. BA Performing Arts (Contemporary Performance) first year undergraduates.
Students work in an assigned company to challenge conventions of textual performance; exploring contemporary performance approaches. Process documented through a student-tutor report.
During the final week each company shared their practical work (10 minutes). Including a 2000 word analysis of the process.
January to February 2016
Hourly Paid Lecturer
Introducing the Creative Practitioner - Module M5X01072: HPL module tutor & assessment of practical and theoretical material. BA Performing Arts (Contemporary Performance) second year undergraduates.
Students practically explored a range of approaches to performance; stimuli to emphasise that which makes practitioners unique is their particular way of working. Students created their own (15 minute) performance in collaboration with others or as a solo performer.
November 2015 to January 2016
Visiting Professional
Professional Practice Interviews: Assessed interviews, to provide students with experience of applying for roles in the creative industry. Final year undergraduates of BA Performing Arts (Contemporary Performance), BA Applied Drama and BA Technical Theatre.
May & November 2016, January 2018
University of South Wales (ATRiuM)
Hourly Paid Lecturer
Directing - Module RA2S18
HPL module tutor, assessment of practical and theoretical material. BA (Hons) Theatre and Drama, second year undergraduates.
Module examined practical, dramatic and rehearsal techniques appropriate to the role of director. Each student concluded by directing a 15 minute performance of a published text.
September 2015 to January 2016
Visiting Professional : Director
Moving Portraits - Pontypridd Lido
Visiting professional director, working with Drama students both undergraduate and postgraduate.
A week devising physical theatre site-specific work, for family audience performances at the Pontypridd Lido.
May 2016
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Associate Tutor in Drama
HPL working with undergraduate students through practical workshops; exploring Applied Theatre and Theatre of the Oppressed methods. Students plan and facilitate their own workshops within disciplines, by the close of the module.
March 2016
January & February 2017
January & February 2018
January & February 2020
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Carmarthen Campus
Visiting Professional : Director
A Reluctant Dragon
Visiting industry professional. Six weeks devising a new physical theatre work from original text ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ with ten final year BA Acting undergraduates. Production then toured for two weeks.
September to October 2013
Visiting Professional : Assistant Director
Time And Time Again on the Gwili Railway Steam Train
Working with visiting professional director Elise Davison and final year BA Acting undergraduates. Creation of devised movement and text for site-specific work, on and around the Gwili Railway Steam Train.
May 2013
INDUSTRY CREDITS
National Youth Theatre of Wales
NYTW Audition Panel Member
Assessor of physical theatre technique at annual NYTW intake auditions. Also a member of the audition speech assessor panel.
2014 & 2015
NYTW Artistic Associate
Artistic associate, for delivery of physical theatre and drama workshops.
Dates: 2014 to 2018
Industry Panel Member: Diversity in the Arts
Panel member at RWCMD for future creative pathways event, speaking on the subject of diversity and inclusion within the arts.
November 2018
Industry Pane Memberl: “Getting in, getting on in TV, Film, Theatre and Live Events”
Panel speaker at RWCMD for TV, Film and Theatre careers entry advice.
November 2018
National Theatre Wales & Hijinx Theatre
Lead Creative
Mission Control
Lead creative working with Hijinx Academy to choreograph movement work and devised material for site-specific ‘Mission Control.’
Performed in the iconic Principality Stadium in the centre of Cardiff, Mission Control was a guided, immersive show like no other, featuring an inclusive cast of over 80 professional performers. Trailer: https://youtu.be/c5kaqeikNq0
September to November 2019
National Theatre & Wales Millennium Centre
Facilitator
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Outreach drama workshops for production at the Wales Millennium Centre. Workshops for college students and also for students and at an Autistic Spectrum Disorder school.
January to March 2015
Co-Director
Off Centre: Beyond Boundaries - Weston Studio
‘Beyond Boundaries’ public performance of work in Weston Studio, WMC. Exploring racial, ethical, disability and stereotype discrimination.
‘Off Centre’ at the WMC enables adults to develop their performance skills and acting techniques.
March & April 2016
Director & Theatre Maker
Hijinx Pod: Rock Cliche
Director & creator of a new street theatre Hijinx Pod ‘Rock Cliche.’ Trailer: https://youtu.be/Y39ZdVueT3Q
Hijinx Pods are one-act theatre pieces, popping up in studio theatre, foyer, café, street or festival near you. Encapsulating Hijinx’s inclusive ethos, the Pods are performed by integrated casts of actors with and without learning disabilities.
Development dates: January to March 2018. June to August 2018. December 2018. April 2019
Performances: 2019 & 2022
Theatre Maker
Invisible theatre interventions for the WMC Festival of Voice. Working with Hijinx Theatre Academy students, to create material for performance. The aim, to give voice to those with a learning disability and promote the Gig Buddies scheme in Cardiff.
June 2018
Tutor
Cardiff Academy 1 & 2
Delivering workshops covering acting techniques, devising, physical theatre and theatre of the oppressed.
April 2012 to present
West Wales Academy
Delivering workshops for acting techniques, physical theatre and devising.
2015 & 2017
Director & Forum Theatre ‘Joker’
Hijinx Theatre & Lives Through Friends Collaboration
Creation of forum theatre works with Hijinx Academy students. Director for public performances at Monmouthshire Self Advocacy Event event & Porthcawl Symposium.
July to November 2015
Masterclass
National Theatre Connections & Sherman Cymru
Tutor for physical theatre masterclass workshops for young adults. April 2015
Tutor
Sherman Cymru Youth Theatre
Theatre skills sessions with performance opportunities for young people aged 10-17 years.
October 2014 to December 2015
Facilitator
RSC Open Stages & Sherman Cymru
Workshop developing inclusive practice and performance for adult actors with disability at ‘Venture Drama Group Llandudno.’
February 2014
Schools Outreach Shakespeare
Shakespeare workshops at Whitchurch High School to coincide with production ‘Romeo & Juliet.’
October 2014
Sherman Plays: Age Cymru Acting Taster
Workshop sessions for persons over 50 years of age (some participants with early onset Alzheimer’s). Providing an accessible introduction to acting and improvisation. Dates: September 2015
Sherman INC
Theatre group for young people aged 15 - 22 years, with and without learning disabilities. Dates: April 2013 to March 2015
Fresh Ink - School of Basic Islamic Studies (SOBIS)
Working with students at SOBIS, facilitating the creation of theatre scripts. Scripts then staged by professional actors at Sherman Cymru. Dates: October to December 2013
Fresh Ink - Ninian Park Primary School
Working with primary age pupils to facilitate the writing of their own scripts via drama and theatre skills.
Director for staging of resulting scripts by professional actors at Sherman Cymru. Dates: March to May 2014
Facilitator
Cross-Generational Project
Delivering a programme of drama based workshops within black and minority ethnic communities. Dates: August 2015
Fitzalan High School
Delivering a programme of once-weekly drama workshops for years 10, 12, 13 and an after school group. Dates: January to February 2015
National Deaf Children’s Society & Taking Flight Theatre
Lead Facilitator
Devising work during residential projects for young adults with hearing impairment.
Public performances of work on the final day.
Somerset Residency March 2015
Belfast Residency October 2014
West Sussex Residency February 2014
Age Cymru: Gwanwyn Arts Festival
Movement Director & Choreographer
Recipient of Gwanwyn Arts Festival grant, to create a movement based performance with older persons. Created via theatre company Yeah Yeah (co-founders Tori Johns & Morgan Thomas). The work to challenge negative preconceptions of older persons.
Devised & performed May 2018
Chapter Arts Centre : Experimentica 15
Guest Director
Shh
Experimentica, a 5-day programme of UK and international artist performances.
‘Shh’ is a work by Ben Tinniswood & Tracy Harris, exploring the effects of childhood abuse.
November 2015