Richard Pilbrow Honored by The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Theatre design consultant, Richard Pilbrow, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Considered a pioneer of modern stage lighting, Pilbrow was honored for his outstanding contribution to theatre at a graduation ceremony at Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre today, Monday, December 10, 2012.

Following his studies at Central, Pilbrow founded Theatre Projects, a leading theatre consulting company, in 1957 and has worked as a theatre, film, and TV producer as well as author and lighting designer during his career.

Pilbrow was chosen by Laurence Olivier to be theatre consultant to the National Theatre, London. He was also consultant to the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican; The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; and many other significant arts buildings all over the world.

In 2010 Live Design voted Pilbrow: "one of the 50 most powerful people in the entertainment technology industry."

Talking about the Fellowship, Pilbrow said: "I'm deeply honored by the Honorary Fellowship. Central School put my feet on the path that led me to becoming a stage lighting designer, a theatre producer, and a theatre design consultant. My childhood dream succeeded beyond my wildest imagination. With many amazing friends and colleagues, we have played a role in making British theatre design and technology the finest on the planet."

Principal of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Professor Gavin Henderson, CBE, said: "Richard Pilbrow was the first British lighting designer to design the lighting for a Broadway musical, and has gained prestigious award nominations for his work from Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the Tony Awards to name a few."

"He is a world leader in his field and Central is extremely proud to honour our former student with an Honorary Fellowship," Henderson continued.

The graduation ceremony was presided over by Michael Grandage, the award-winning theatre director and producer and president of Royal Central. 455 students graduated on the day. Also awarded Honorary Fellowships were legendary actor and political activist, Vanessa Redgrave, and award-winning playwright, Ann Jellicoe.

Central is a member of the University of London and is the only UK institution with such a wide range of training and research in all aspects of theatre. The school was awarded Royal Title last month in recognition of its great history and reputation as distinctive in its field as both a high-level conservatoire and a research-active university. Central has produced, and continues to produce, high quality industry professionals, leading artists, innovators, and educators in the worlds of theatre, film, and television.