An award-winning theatre director was this week presented with an honorary fellowship from the University of Cumbria. 

Rebecca (Beck) Gadsby has been a guest lecturer and visiting director at the University on a number of occasions and regularly employs graduates, often giving them their first professional theatre credit.

She is currently an associate producer at Sheffield Theatres, the second biggest-producing house outside of London, and combines this with her experimentation into the use of digital technology in theatre.

Earlier this year, she directed the play 5 Years, which showcased innovative and cutting-edge hologram technology at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake back in April.

Despite her significant contribution to the development of the University of Cumbria and the performing arts programmes over several years, Beck was still 'mind-blown' to receive the honorary fellowship on Tuesday, November 21.

She said: "It's a bit mind-blowing. I really didn't expect to receive it, it's a huge honour.

"I feel very blessed to have it. I've helped a lot of the students here, and I've seen a lot of them through their degrees.

"I've helped to nurture a lot of them after their degrees by giving them work and references. I've got to know a lot of the wonderful staff here as well, so it feels extra special."

Beck has her own production company, Inside Theatre, which aims to inspire the next generation of theatre makers by empowering young creators and directors to craft their own productions, bridging the gap between the theatre industry and young people.

She said: "There was a huge drop in young people attending theatre. That worried me for the future of theatre, because if we haven't got those younger audiences excited by theatre now then they won't come in 30 years' time.

"I looked into ways that we could engage the younger generation and it made sense to me to start using digital technology."

Rebecca emphasised to students that they shouldn't worry if they don't have everything figured out.

She said: "Keep going and it will work itself out. The fact is that very few people have everything figured out."