Stephen Mear
Choreographer/Director
We are very proud that our President, Stephen Mear has been made an honorary Doctor of Arts by the University of Greenwich. An award-winning director and choreographer, Stephen’s work has captivated audiences in theatres across the world. He received the Laurence Olivier Award in 2007 for Best Choreography for Mary Poppins and has also received nominations for his work on a number of shows including Gypsy, Kiss Me Kate, and Singin’ in the Rain. His TV credits include The Tracey Ullman Show, So You Think You Can Dance and Acorn Antiques the Musical. The International Dance Teachers Association has twice awarded Stephen the prestigious Carl Alan Award for his contribution to Dance and theatre. He is committed to supporting students from all backgrounds into the Arts and as President of Bird College he helps students to develop the skills they need to succeed in a competitive global industry
On 14 October the College announced the appointment of Stephen Mear as President after an official opening of the extended college campus. Stephen is a strong advocate for Bird College and for the wider dance and musical theatre sector, as is Gary Avis MBE who has also joined the College as a patron.
Stephen said “I am so delighted to become the President of Bird College. It is an organisation which I admire greatly, and I know how committed the team are to providing world class vocational training. I continually work with many of their graduates and I am always impressed by their professionalism, excellent technique and artistry and I am excited to be an advocate for this great College. I am delighted to be able to support Shirley and Luis in their work through which they ensure remains at the forefront of the dance and musical theatre industry. Through my own training in dance and musical theatre, I understand and value the importance of the work undertaken here and I look forward to mentoring emerging talent.
Stephen Mear has extensive credits across theatre, TV and Music. Notable theatre credits include Funny Girl (Théâtre Marigny, Paris), 42nd Street (Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris)White Christmas, Scrooge the Musical (Curve), Guys and Dolls (Royal Albert Hall), Chess (ENO, Coliseum Theatre), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse), Sunset Boulevard (ENO 2016/Broadway), Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang! (West Yorkshire Playhouse/UK tour), Mack and Mabel (Chichester Festival Theatre/UK tour), The Vote (Donmar Warehouse/shown live on TV during Election night), City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), Gypsy (Chichester Festival Theatre / Savoy Theatre), Amadeus, She Loves Me, Music Man, Funny Girl, How to Succeed, Putting it Together, The Grapes of Wrath (Chichester Festival Theatre), Die Fledermaus (The Metropolitan Opera New York), Stephen Ward (Aldwych Theatre), The Pajama Game (Chichester Festival Theatre / Shaftesbury Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre / The Old Vic, Olivier Award Nomination for Best Choreography), Crazy For You (Regents Park Open Air Theatre, Novello Theatre, Olivier Award Nomination for Best Choreography), Betty Blue Eyes (Novello Theatre), Me and My Girl (Sheffield Crucible), Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre / Theatre Royal Haymarket, Olivier Award Nomination for best choreography), Hello Dolly! – Olivier Award for best Choreography, Gigi (Regents Park Open Air Theatre) Mary Poppins (joint choreographer with Sir Matthew Bourne, London, Broadway, UK tour, US tour and Australia, Olivier Award for best Choreography / Tony and drama desk nomination for best Choreography), Sinatra (London Palladium, UK tour, Olivier Award Nomination for best choreography, Tonight’s the Night, (Victoria Palace Theatre), Anything Goes (National Theatre / Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Singing in the Rain (Yorkshire Playhouse / National Theatre and tour, Olivier Award Nomination for best choreography), Don Giovanni (Royal Opera House) and Soul Train (London and UK tour, Olivier Award Nomination for best choreography).
