Cate Blanchett (57) is trading the film set for the lecture hall, at least temporarily. As the "Hollywood Reporter" reports, the Australian Oscar winner is taking on the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professorship in Contemporary Theatre at St. Catherine's College, University of Oxford. She will begin her tenure in the 2026/27 academic year.
The professorship was established in 1990 thanks to a donation from British theater producer Cameron Mackintosh, who is responsible for global hits such as "Les Misérables", "Das Phantom der Oper", and "Cats". Its goal is to bring internationally significant figures from theater, film, and performance into direct exchange with students and the university community.
In Illustrious Company
With her appointment, Blanchett joins a distinguished lineage. Previous holders of the professorship include Stephen Sondheim, Ian McKellen, Arthur Miller, Tom Stoppard, Stephen Fry, Diana Rigg, and Trevor Nunn, among others. Immediately before her, the position was held by artist and stage designer Es Devlin, who according to the report significantly contributed to expanding the reach and importance of the position.
Specifically, Blanchett is expected to contribute to a program of discussions, lectures, and events for students and the university. In a statement, the actress expressed her enthusiasm about the new role. Art transcends the boundaries of imagination, poses questions, and expands present reality, she noted. Her years of creative work have helped her sharpen feelings into ideas. She describes the visiting professorship as an "exciting opportunity for me to enter into direct, intensive creative dialogue with the next generation of thinkers and creative makers". She is looking forward to this "creative whirlwind".
Praise from Founder and University
Cameron Mackintosh also expressed his delight at the choice. He said he was thrilled that Blanchett is taking on the role. Her extraordinary career as an actress and producer in theater, film, and television will be a great inspiration to students at Oxford. He also referenced her successful time as artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company in Australia.
Jude Kelly, the principal of St. Catherine's College, called Blanchett one of the most important and influential artistic voices of our time - not only because of the breadth of her work on stage and screen, but also because of her long-standing commitment to cultural dialogue and social participation. Blanchett served for a time as co-artistic director and co-chief executive of the Sydney Theatre Company alongside her husband Andrew Upton. In addition, she is active as a producer, arts patron, and in humanitarian work.
Full Schedule Alongside Teaching
The visiting professorship is not the only project coming up in the near future. On stage, Blanchett is returning for the play "Electra/Persona" by Benedict Andrews alongside her "Tár" colleague Nina Hoss, which will run at London's National Theatre from August 19 to October 10. On screen, she will next be seen in "Alpha Gang", "Sweetsick", and "How to Train Your Dragon 2", according to the report.
