St Catherine’s College, Oxford, has appointed Australian actor and producer Cate Blanchett as the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre for the 2026–27 academic year.

The prestigious professorship, established in 1990 through a gift from theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh and hosted by St Catherine’s College, Oxford, brings leading figures from theatre, film and performance into dialogue with students and academics. Past holders of the post include Stephen Sondheim, Ian McKellen, Arthur Miller, Tom Stoppard and Stephen Fry.

Cate Blanchett. Photo © Tom Munro

Blanchett has built an international career across stage and screen while also serving as co-artistic director and co-CEO of Sydney Theatre Company from 2008 to 2013 alongside her partner Andrew Upton. During her tenure, she championed new work, sustainability initiatives and international artistic collaboration.

A two-time Academy Award winner, Blanchett said the role would provide an opportunity for “direct, robust creative dialogue with the next generation of thinkers and creative Doers”, adding that she looked forward to “beginning this creative rumpus”.

St Catherine’s Master Jude Kelly described Blanchett as “one of the most important and influential artistic voices working today”, citing her contributions to theatre, film and public engagement.

Mackintosh said Blanchett’s experience as both an actor and producer, as well as her leadership at Sydney Theatre Company, would be a major inspiration to Oxford students.

Blanchett succeeds artist and stage designer Es Devlin. During her tenure she will take part in a programme of lectures, conversations and student engagement activities, with further details to be announced.