University News Last updated 03 February 2009
Multiple award-winning theatre designer, Rob Howell, will receive an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University tomorrow.
An alumnus of the University Rob's extensive career in theatre design includes a period as the resident Design Assistant for the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1990-92, after which time he began his freelance set and costume design career. He has also designed for the National Theatre, Almeida Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Royal Court Theatre, Yorkshire Playhouse, the Royal Opera House and theatres in the West End and on Broadway.
Rob has been nominated for Olivier Awards for over ten productions, winning the award for Best Set Design in 2000 for Richard III (RSC), Vassa (Almeida) and Troilus and Cressida (RNT). He won the award again in 2006 for Hedda Gabler (Almeida) and also won the Dora Mayor Award for Best Costume Design in 2006 for Lord of the Rings (Toronto) 2006.
Rob undertook his degree with the University when it was known as Birmingham Polytechnic. His award is due to be conferred at 2.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday 4 February) at the Awards Congregation ceremony in Symphony Hall which will celebrate the work and achievements of students graduating from Bournville Centre for Visual Arts, the Department of Visual Communication and the School of Jewellery, all part of the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design.