Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Peacock – BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre, 2021

“When visiting the University of Lincoln I fell in love with both the city and the variety of opportunities the ‘Drama and Theatre’ course had to offer. I was amazed by the facilities of the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre.” 

Not long after starting her degree Hannah connected with a local church and developed a passion for working with the local community.  

During her time at University, Hannah pro-actively engaged with additional technique classes, was choreographer for the  Musical Theatre Society and was a member of the Lincoln Company, performing at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 with the Performance Art piece UGGA.  

Throughout the pandemic, Hannah continued to engage with her peers and led both writing and musical theatre online workshops for the Lincoln Company and also started her small business ‘Paintings by Peacock’ specialising in animal portraiture and raised funds for Alzheimer’s UK. She continues to run her painting business today. 

She achieved a first-class in her BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre degree in 2021 and received graduate awards in ‘Outstanding Contributions to Drama and Theatre’ and ‘Best Final Degree show’ with H4llucinate Theatre which headed to the online Edinburgh Fringe Festival, on ZOOTV, in August 2021 with the Lincoln Company. 

After graduating, Hannah set out to expand her knowledge in community practice where she taught as Drama and Dance Instructor for Barracudas Summer Activity Day Camps and started an internship with St Swithins Church in Lincoln as a Children’s Worker. This gave Hannah the opportunity to organise and deliver social activities, events and teaching for children aged reception to year 5. Using her skills in creativity and leadership which she developed on the Drama and Theatre course, she led and directed an immersive Easter Holiday Club for children in Westend of Lincoln. 

Alongside her internship, Hannah facilitated both Infant and Junior Youth Theatre for Lincoln Performing Arts Centre and supported the Senior group. For this role Hannah was responsible for the planning and teaching a range of abilities and experiences in drama in a fun and supportive environment. She also took on freelance roles and creative projects, acting throughout the year for Rand Farm Park Christmas, Easter and Halloween, the International Bomber Command Centre and Lost Village Festival.  

With coursemate Caley Starbuck, Hannah founded Mishap Theatre with both becoming Co- artistic directors in November 2021. As a company Mishap Theatre focuses on the humour in the ordinary and is influenced by the work of Jac LeCoq, John Wright and Rash Dash Theatre. Mishap Theatre have facilitated a series of workshops for University of Lincoln students and the Lincoln Company; as well as attending local networking events with other Lincolnshire artists. Together with alumni and current students, they are continuing the development of their debut show, Twenty Something, as a supported piece for the Lincoln Company for 2022/2023.  

In June 2022 Hannah started her role as Children and Families Participation Officer as part of Connecting Communities Programme for Lincolnshire One Venues (LOV). As Participation Officer Hannah supports local Lincolnshire Venues in their Children and Families community arts programmes. Since starting her role, she has started two theatre-based sensory play parent and baby groups that aim to introduce early years to the creative arts. She has also facilitated craft, storytelling and theatre workshops alongside the LOV team.  This has given Hannah the opportunity to share her love for all things art, theatre, music and dance with the local community.   

“I have absolutely loved my time at The University of Lincoln. The School of Creative Arts has remained a supportive and loving community throughout my degree and since graduating. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the incredible people I have met and worked with”.