51���׻���

Stef Smith, a QMU drama graduate, has been commissioned to develop a piece of writing to mark the 150th anniversary of Queen Margaret University. The play, which will be staged in 2025/6 – the University’s 150th academic year - will be part of a wide range of activities which will celebrate the significant historical milestone.

Described by the Scotsman as “one of Scotland’s most gifted Playwrights”, and The List as “one of Scotland’s boldest chroniclers of contemporary women’s lives”, Stef Smith is the perfect fit for this special commission. The QMU community is excited to see what unique creative work emerges from this gifted graduate who has enjoyed a successful career writing for stage and screen.

Stef, who achieved her BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Arts at Queen Margaret University in 2009, won an Olivier Award for Roadkill, just a few years after graduating. Her plays include ‘Nora: A Doll’s House’, ‘Swallow’ and ‘Enough’; and her recent screen credits include ‘Float’, the BBC Scotland drama, which shines a light on the lives of LGBTQ+ teens living in rural communities. She has a string of awards to her bow, and in 2022, she was voted Best Writer at Royal Television Society Awards.

Stef’s play will be performed by QMU Acting and Performance students, and the development of the production may also involve students from across QMU’s Media, Communication and Performing Arts Division.

"We are delighted to mark our 150th anniversary with great writing from Stef Smith. It not only allows us to showcase the talents of one of our award-winning drama graduates, it also creates a platform to highlight our institution’s rich history."

To find out more about Stef and her career, you can listen to her interview on the QMU podcast ‘, part of an interview series celebrating ‘50 years of Drama’ at QMU in 2023.