Ben MacPherson

Background

About Ben MacPherson

I am Reader in Vocal Theatres at the University of Portsmouth, with a specific focus on research-informed teaching and the use of practice-as-research methods as a pedagogic tool to teach musical theatre. Having served as Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre programme from 2014 - 2023, I currently act as academic link tutor for Portsmouth’s collaborative partnership with Laine Theatre Arts, for which I was project lead (validated 2020), along with developing a collaborative MA Musical Theatre with Laine. I supervise a range of postgraduate research students and still teach across the undergraduate provision. Previous experience at Portsmouth includes a two-year secondment as Acting Principal Lecturer and Section Lead for Performance (Portsmouth, 2017-2019). Prior experience includes working as a freelance singing and performance coach (2007 – 2013), associate lecturer in Contemporary Performance; Vocal and Choral Studies (Winchester, 2009-2013); visiting lecturer, MA Music Theatre (Royal Central School London, 2011-2013). Gaining my PhD in 2011, my first monograph -'Cultural Identity in British Musical Theatre 1890 – 1939: Knowing One’s Place'- was published by Palgrave in 2018. Prior to this, I co-edited the pioneering collection,'Voice Studies: Critical Approaches to Process, Performance and Experience'(with Konstantinos Thomaidis, Routledge, 2015). Current projects include second monograph,'Singing Utopia: Voice in Musical Theatre'(Oxford University Press), a UK AHRC-funded Research Network exploring Original Cast Recordings, and acting as founding convenor of the international 'Vicarious Vocalities/Simulated Songs' Network. Published in numerous journals and edited collections, I am founding co-editor of 'Journal of Interdisciplinary Voice Studies'(Intellect), and the 'Routledge Voice Studies' book series. Research specialisms: Interdisciplinary voice studies, the British musical 1890-2015, Original Cast Recordings and sonic heritage, embodiment and somatic performance theory, composition. Professional specialisms: Teaching, composing, devising, vocal coaching, research methods, consultancy, curriculum development. Professional memberships- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy - Co-convenor, Centre for Interdisciplinary Voice Studies- International Federation for Theatre Research (Music Theatre working group)- Theatre and Performance Research Association (Sound, Voice and Music Working Group) More information is available below. I am happy for approach by any PG students interested in doctoral supervision.