Cate Blanchett appointed Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at Oxford University

Cate Blanchett has been appointed Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford, for the 2026/27 academic year.

The professorship, which is hosted by St Catherine’s College and was established in 1990 through a gift from Cameron Mackintosh, brings figures from theatre, film and performance into conversation with students and the wider university community. Previous holders of the position have included Stephen Sondheim, Ian McKellen, Arthur Miller, Meera Syal, Tom Stoppard, Adjoa Andoh, Stephen Fry, Diana Rigg, Trevor Nunn and Deborah Warner.

Commenting on the appointment, Blanchett said: “Art breaks down the borders and boundaries of our imagination; it poses questions, and playing with and dissecting it expands and challenges our present reality. My years of creative practice have granted me the opportunity of sharpening feelings into ideas and offered pathways to insight. The visiting professorship is an electrifying opportunity for me to be in direct, robust creative dialogue with the next generation of thinkers and creative Doers. I look forward to beginning this creative rumpus.”

Blanchett will be returning to the London stage later this year in Electra / Persona, directed by Benedict Andrews, opening at the National Theatre.

Jude Kelly, master of St Catherine’s College, said: “Cate Blanchett is one of the most important and influential artistic voices working today, not only through the extraordinary breadth of her work across theatre and screen, but through her longstanding commitment to cultural dialogue, collaboration and public engagement. The Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professorship exists to bring world-leading practitioners into meaningful conversation with students, academics and audiences, and Cate’s appointment represents a hugely exciting next chapter in that story.”

Mackintosh added: “I am really thrilled that Cate Blanchett has agreed to be our next visiting professor. I know that her incredible career, both as an actor and producer across stage, screen and television, will be a major inspiration to Oxford’s students. Cate’s tenure as Artistic Director at the acclaimed Sydney Theatre Company in her native Australia was a brilliant success and her ability to balance a life in the arts with her family life has given St. Catz this exceptional opportunity to benefit from her extraordinary range of talents and experiences.”

During her tenure, Blanchett will take part in a programme of conversations, lectures and student engagement activities. She succeeds artist and stage designer Es Devlin, who is the current holder of the professorship.

Further details of the 2026/27 programme are to be announced.