For James Wood, choosing to study Drama at Queen Margaret University was an easy decision. Drawn by QMU’s diverse and practical approach to theatre-making, he found an environment that encouraged exploration, collaboration, and creativity. During his time at QMU, James immersed himself in every aspect of the creative process — from directing and writing to producing — supported by a community of passionate lecturers and peers. Now, as the creative producer and founder of the Gateway Writing Festival, James continues to nurture new voices in theatre, building on the foundations laid during his time at QMU.
Why did you choose to study at QMU and what attracted you to the course?
To me, the decision was easy. QMU had the most diverse and most useful range of training in theatre making. I went into the course not fully knowing where I would fit into the industry, so having so many opportunities to explore various roles within the industry was really wonderful. The other main draw was the campus itself, staying so close to the university building and having a community of students around me was really great as I transitioned into university life.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
Throughout the whole course, we received a large amount of creative freedom to explore within each module and extracurricular activities. I find that QMU acts like a big box full of support, useful tools and teaching that gives you the freedom to try, fail and achieve with your own creative vision. Every person within the course is deeply generous with their time, resources and knowledge. Without this generosity, the Gateway Writing Festival, a project I started at QMU, or any of my companies' commissioned shows would not have had a chance to flourish.
Were there any particular course activities you found especially interesting?
The opportunity to spend time learning about and exploring directing theatre was really interesting to me. There are two modules that I found developed my practice as a director, especially. These modules were very practical, self-reflective, and built to prepare you for the industry. I also found the business and grant funding modules vital to be able to fund my endeavours now that I have left university. The degree did an excellent job of outlining how the industry works, how to find your place in it, and how to excel.
How did your lecturers support your learning?
The lecturers who run the Drama course are truly spectacular. Having lecturers who regularly work and do research within the theatre sector is incredibly valuable.
The size of classes and quality of lectures mean you can build really special one-on-one relationships with the staff at QMU and receive excellent support.
I was fortunate enough to receive the kind and thoughtful support of many lecturers throughout my studies, as well as with my theatre company. Everyone across the entire department has instrumentally contributed in some way to the theatremaker I am today, and without a few key lecturers, the Gateway Festival would not exist.
What challenges did you face with the course and/or university life? How did you overcome them?
I found it quite difficult to balance my growing theatre company and studies. Luckily, I managed to make use of the Self-Initiated Module (SIM) that the course offers to work on my Fringe show, 'The Spilling Cup'
. I also found navigating group work challenging as it pushes you and your peers to work in roles you're not experienced in. Additionally, having to rely on others to work together for a module has its challenges as well. Saying this, these challenges pushed me to learn how to act as a facilitator and taught me so much about areas outside my speciality. In fact, my difficulty acting as a writer within a group project led me to focus my work on supporting new writers after that experience.
Do you have any advice for students who might be interested in this course?
This course offers a solid foundation in the arts. While your interests may lie outside textual analysis and theatre history, I advise everyone joining the course to get everything they can from these modules. The knowledge, understanding of the theatrical landscape and critical thinking skills you will gain in these foundational modules will set you up to thrive in the rest of the course and beyond.
I would also say to people considering joining the course that one of the biggest opportunities you will have when you join the course is to put yourself out there and take risks in the work you create but also in terms of making friends and connections. You may find that you befriend someone in your first year who becomes your artistic collaborator for the next decade.
Did you win any awards or scholarships that helped you develop skills and experience?
I was lucky enough to receive two Vice-Chancellor Fund grant awards, the Santander Universities Enterprise Fund and an Emerging Creatives Fund grant. These grants were instrumental in the success and financial viability of my various projects. This funding went toward paying for spaces, theatre venues and the wages of employees. Without this funding, I would have faced very real financial issues and would not have been able to support as many artists as I have.
If applicable, which University services did you use to support you through your university journey and how did they help you?
I made use of the University's Wellbeing Service and the Students' Union. University can be filled with a lot of highs, but it can also be a place where you experience some lows, and having the safety net of friends, but also a free mental health counsellor, was really helpful in some of my harder moments at university.
What’s your ‘top tip’ for making the most of being a student?
Try everything and get the most out of the four years. The degree will fly by so make use of the friends and community you are surrounded by!
What was the most valuable lesson that you learned at university?
To put it bluntly, even if you think you know a lot about your chosen subject, you know nothing, and that's okay. You need to act like a sponge during your time at university and gain as much as you can from the degree, your peers, the lecturers and the institution. With that in mind, I will also say that failure is often more important and valuable for you than success. As long as you use failure to learn about yourself and your area of study, it is a gift more often than it is a burden.
Can you tell us about your life post-graduation?
I am currently the creative producer for the Gateway Writing Festival which I founded and now run alongside Giulia Pizziol. The Festival will take place from 3-5 November at Capital Theatres' Studio Theatre. It will debut nine brand new plays and support around 70 emerging creatives.
Find out more about our undergraduate Performing Arts courses.
