Dr Isla Hall
Originally from South Africa, I completed a BA in Drama at Rhodes University, then trained further in the UK at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where I specialised in Classical Acting for my MA. I have over fifteen years of experience as a professional actress and have performed in award-winning productions such as People, Places, and Things at the National Theatre. Some career highlights have included working with renowned directors Jeremy Herrin and Sean Matthias, the latter on the West End production of The Exorcist. I have performed at high profile venues, including the above and the Almeida Theatre, Bush Theatre, and Pleasance Theatre (Edfringe). I have a wide range of experience working on scripted productions, devising, as well as working as a script reader (Hampstead Theatre), director and dramaturge (Tristan Bates Theatre). I am particularly interested in working on productions that challenge our preconceived ideas and inspire a vision for meaningful social and systemic change. My PhD investigates gender bias in casting and performance choices, and my wider research interests are in gender, identity, social justice, and cognitive actor training practices.
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Qualifications
PhD Drama, University of Kent
MA Acting, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
BA Drama, Rhodes University
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Memberships
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Teaching
I have a strong teaching background in Stanislavski, Shakespeare, Pinter, and cognitive, embodied actor training methods. My teaching style is holistic and inclusive; I ensure the learning experience is student-centred. In class, I actively work to create a safe space for students to experiment and make discoveries.
Courses taught:
- BA (Hons) Acting
- BA (Hons) Actor Musicianship
- MA Acting and Theatre Making
Research
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Conferences
‘Performing Power in Julius Caesar: Gender, Leadership, and Implicit Bias.’ - European Shakespeare Research Association Conference, Rome, July 2019.
‘How casting and performance choices impact our implicit gender bias regarding leadership’ - TaPRA Post-Graduate Symposium 2019.
‘Performativity in Performance: Cross-Dressing in Shakespeare Productions.’ - University of Kent Post-Graduate Symposium
