ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMA

Our strategy

We work to a strategy driven by our vision, mission and purpose, underpinned by our shared values. This strategy is built on five strategic pillars, which bring focus to the change we want to achieve as an organisation.

Our Vision

To change lives, transform and connect communities through the arts

Our Mission

Pioneering, immersive professional education, creative excellence and an inclusive and international artistic community

Excellence and opportunity for all Artistic tradition and new work Welsh culture and a global stage to represent Wales as a distinctive, creative force across the world Future

enterprise Sustainable business model

Our Values

Contemporary and Collaborative Expert and Inclusive

Resourceful and Responsible

It starts with our students

Students are our lifeblood...

The exceptional quality of their experiences at RWCMD is what drives us, aiming to make it the very best it can be. Across the year, the College campus was alive from early morning until late at night with the sights and sounds of RWCMD students in action. Covid challenges were tackled head on, and thanks to a cross-College effort, the work continued with all spaces open to students almost every day of the year.

New programmes for industry needs

RWCMD launched two new cohorts into new programmes designed around industry need. BA Musical Theatre students joined from across the world, while Foundation in Scenic Construction students were already exhibiting work on day one of the full term, having started term six weeks early, to build sets for the first season of shows. A number were already being offered professional work just six weeks in.

Performances to inspire

Even before lockdown restrictions lifted, students continued live concerts through streamed performances such as AmserJazzTime every Friday night. With audiences returning, loyal jazz fans created special t-shirts to mark their appreciation.

Cast as the lead in I, Joan while still studying at RWCMD, Isobel Thom made history as a non-binary actor in the iconic Globe Theatre’s queer smash hit. Writer of I, Joan Charlie Josephine first met Isobel at RWCMD on the production Moon Licks a commissioned play for RWCMD’s 2022 NEW season.

Student jazz guitarist Tom Harvey so impressed Gregory Porter that he was invited to perform with him on stage at his Cardiff show. The two had struck up a conversation at a hotel bar the previous evening, and Porter thrilled fans when he introduced Tom as his special guest.

I saw this joyous theatrical celebration last week. I promise I knew nothing at all about @isobelthom at the time, but Izzy’s physical and linguistic ease, breezy charm, magnetic effervescence and emotional courage lead me to lean forward and think, ‘That’s a Royal Welsh performance. That’s got to be a Royal Welsh performance.’ I kid you not I actually did a little victory dance when I learned I was right. Take a bow @rwcmd and bravo Izzy. Beautiful work.

Rakie Ayola

More than 400 live performances across the year

Removing barriers

Making the most of technology, more than 2,500 auditions were offered online this year. The introduction of specialist software Acceptd reduced travel and accommodation costs for applicants, making it easier for everyone to take part at this crucial stage.

Baritone Mica Smith performed the lead as Figaro, in their first lead role in a full opera since coming out as non-binary. Supported through the College journey with Asperger Syndrome, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, Mica says RWCMD’s inclusive approach allowed them to grow.

12 year old Shuchen Xie, a student at the Junior Conservatoire, won the Chief Composer Prize competition at the Urdd National Eisteddfod for her string quartet Rhapsody in G Minor, making her the youngest winner of a main prize in Urdd history.