Dr James Martin Charlton

Interim Academic Dean Faculty of Arts & Creative Industries

James Martin Charlton

  • School Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries

  • Department ACI Faculty Leadership

  • Location London

Research activities

Research Areas

Drama and Faith: Investigating how spiritual themes can be woven into contemporary drama, creating works that speak to both the present moment and timeless spiritual concerns.

Scriptwriting for Stage and Screen: Developing original scripts asan experienced playwright and screenwriter, exploring the nuances of crafting compelling narratives for different media.

Visionary Drama: as a theoretical foundation and in practical application to creative projects.

Drama and Technology: Examine the evolving relationship between drama and new technologies, contributing to the discourse on how digital innovations are reshaping the theatrical and media landscape.


Current Teaching

Currently supervising PGR doctorates in the areas of scriptwriting practice and creative practice with spiritual themes. 


Biography

Dr. James Martin Charlton is a scriptwriter, theatre director, and academic exploring the rich interplay between dramatic works and faith. Specialising in writing and directing for both stage and screen, Dr. Charlton seeks to bridge contemporary drama with spiritual consciousness.

With over 20 plays to his name, many produced or workshopped by renowned UK theatre companies, Dr. Charlton's extensive experience extends to directing and producing works by other contemporary playwrights with diverse theatrical voices. He has penned several short film scripts, four of which have been produced, and has developed numerous feature film screenplays. His comprehensive knowledge of both stage and screenwriting equips students with versatile skills applicable to various storytelling mediums. Since the mid-1980s, Dr. Charlton has been pioneering ways to infuse contemporary drama with spiritual consciousness, particularly rooted in a Christian anarchist tradition. His approach aims to create Visionary Drama that resonates with modern audiences while reflecting eternal truths,. For him, drama is a profound spiritual practice.

Currently serving as Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries at Middlesex University, Dr. Charlton has taught scriptwriting at both undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research doctoral levels. His academic contributions include writings on contemporary drama, his own creative practices, and the intersection of drama with new technologies.

Publications

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