Cate Blanchett, the Academy Award-winning actress, begins a new chapter in her career as a professor of Contemporary Theatre. Oxford University appointed her as the next Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at St. Catherine’s College. She will start teaching during the 2026–27 academic year.
Blanchett brings decades of experience in film, theatre, and performance to inspire young artists. Since its creation in 1990 by producer Cameron Mackintosh, the visiting professorship has connected the arts with academia. It invites world-renowned figures to share their craft directly with students and the university community.
As part of her role, Blanchett will lead lectures, host conversations, and guide student engagement programs. In her statement to Variety, she said art “breaks down the borders and boundaries of our imagination” and challenges reality through creative exploration. Moreover, she described the appointment as “an electrifying opportunity” to engage in creative dialogue with the next generation of thinkers and doers. She added that she looks forward to beginning this “creative rumpus.”
Blanchett joins a distinguished list of past visiting professors, including Stephen Sondheim, Ian McKellen, Arthur Miller, Meera Syal, Tom Stoppard, Adjoa Andoh, Stephen Fry, Diana Rigg, Trevor Nunn, and Deborah Warner. Her move from stage and screen to the classroom shows her dedication to nurturing future voices in theatre and performance.
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