MDEA 2024: D&T meets Russeni Fisher

You won't find a bigger and better celebration of all things arts education than the Music and Drama Education Awards. Hosted annually, these awards shine a spotlight on the tireless endeavours of schools, organisations, charities, and individuals in the realms of our sector.

To name just a couple: Ex Cathedra's ChoirMaker striked a harmonious chord this year, clinching the prize in the Outstanding Music Education Resource category, while Bloomsbury's Lit in Colour project dazzled as the victor in the Outstanding Drama Initiative award slot.

But it's not just about accolades; it's about the unwavering dedication of educators who champion their students' growth, who transform disinterest into fascination, and who form inclusive projects that transcend boundaries, weaving music and theatre into the fabric of our communities. Members of the sector come together from across the country on one night of the year to give praise to the amazing work that goes on in school arts departments, often bringing to the forefront names that you may not have heard in the past. One of those names is Russeni Fisher.

This acclaimed educator and community leader not only won the Drama Inspiration Award, but also performed with a small troupe from London Bubble Theatre at the ceremony. Here, I asked about his career highlights and top tips.

HF: What has been a highlight of your career so far?

RF: Winning this award a decade into my career is definitely a top-shelf highlight, but on the day-to-day, it's the small wins with young people. It's watching the ‘shy’ one of the group getting on stage and doing the unexpected or seeing a group that just met bonding as if they were old friends.

HF: What do you think makes a good teacher or leader?

RF: Someone who is able to allow everyone to be themselves and adapt their teaching style to facilitate the best sharing of experiences and learning in a safe space.

HF: What changes would you like to see in the world of drama education over the next 5 years?

RF: The acknowledgement that drama is and can be educational for many, as all learners are not the same and therefore require different teaching styles. If you fund the arts, then you invest in someone's access to growth in knowledge.

HF: How does it feel to have won a Drama Inspiration Award?

RF: It feels very surreal and also motivational to keep doing what I do and aim for all the future finish lines.

HF: What advice would you give to theatre students who look up to you?

RF: Aim to create spaces that allow everyone to feel seen and safe.

HF: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readership?

RF: Everyone's experience is different and is important to the co-creation of knowledge, growth, and the human narrative.

The 2024 Drama Inspiration Award was sponsored by Broadway Licensing Global. Nominations are now open for the Music & Drama Education Awards 2025 musicdramaedawards.com/MDEA2025