ACADEMIC and actor Ruth Torr will lead the University for the Creative Arts’ (UCA’s) new acting and performance degree from September.

Hosted by the Farnham Maltings, the new course - which has already proven extremely popular - will teach budding performers acting, stage and screen skills over a three year program.

Ruth has a successful academic career as a senior lecturer at Middlesex University where she worked for 11 years. In this role she was recognised by the university for teaching excellence, being awarded the role of teaching fellow.

She has significant experience of curriculum development at undergraduate and postgraduate levels working with drama, performing arts and dance departments where she co-led the Interdisciplinary Performance degree.

“The course will be exciting because of its practical bias, with inclusion of stage and screen, and an emphasis on employability,” said Ruth.

“Graduates from the course will make interesting, contemporary work. Their contact with industry professionals should give them a proper preparation for a successful and fulfilling career as an actor.”

Ruth read BA (Hons) drama and dance at the Roehampton Institute (University of Surrey) following a European tour of her devised physical theatre piece. She worked for Temba Theatre Company and then completed her MA in dance studies focussing on choreography and anthropology.

As well as being an experienced theatre maker, Ruth also has professional experience of arts policy and funding having worked for the Arts Council England on project applications and supporting theatre makers in realising their plans.

She has continued to perform, notably as an actor with the English National Opera, and to make her own work through her own company and as a director and collaborator on other projects.

Asked how she felt about the collaboration between UCA and the Maltings, Ruth said: “It is a super, forward-looking venue with a number of independent theatre companies using the building. The interdisciplinary approach of the degree is both current and exciting.”

While the acting and performance marks a new discipline for the university, UCA were recently recognised by the Complete University Guide 2015 as the UK’s best creative arts university.