Josie Rourke
Josie Rourke is an English theatre and film director who is notable for championing diverse casting, and female-led production teams.
Introduction
Josie Rourke was born in Salford, Greater Manchester and has one brother who is a lawyer. She was raised as a Catholic and attended St. Patrick’s RC Secondary School in Eccles, before moving to Eccles College of Further Education. She became the first student at Eccles College to gain a place at Cambridge University, where she studied English.
Key Dates & Events
- 2008 - Rourke is appointed Artistic Director of London’s Bush Theatre.
- 2012 - Rourke becomes Artistic Director at the Donmar Warehouse.
- 2015 - Rourke’s BAFTA-nominated play, The Vote, is broadcast live on television from the Donmar on the night of the UK general election in May.
- 2018 - Rourke makes her film directorial debut on Mary, Queen of Scots.
- 2019 - Rourke is appointed Vice-President of The London Library.
Context & Analysis
Education & Influences
Josie Rourke completed her A Levels at Eccles College of Further Education, before gaining a place at Cambridge University to study English. After graduation, she worked for Cambridge Arts Theatre before moving to London and shadowing and assisting director Laurie Sansom on a production of J.B. Priestley’s Dangerous Corner at Watford Palace
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