John McGrath

John E McGrath is the first artistic director of the new National Theatre Wales, where he will be developing a wide range of work with a focus on location, engagement, innovation and internationalism.  From 1999-2008, John was Artistic Director of Contact, Manchester's award-winning space bringing new theatre to diverse young audiences.

As a director, John has recently worked with hip hop theatre artist Benji Reid (b like water), with poet Lemn Sissay (Storm, Something Dark, Why I Don’t Hate White People), on a multi-media collaboration with writer Kaite O'Reilly and visual artist Paul Clay (Perfect) and with Contact Young Actors Company on the theatre installation Close Up.  Prior to his time at Contact, John trained and worked in New York for several years, including a stint as Associate Director of leading experimental company Mabou Mines. 

John's book, "Loving Big Brother: Performance, Privacy and Surveillance Space" was published by Routledge in 2004.  He was the Co-Founder and Chair of PANDA, the Performing Arts Network and Development Agency.  In 2005 he was awarded the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA) Cultural Leadership Award.