A woman who worked at The Globe Theatre in London is to be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Durham.
Picture By: Keith Blundy
The Revd Kate Jamie – brushes up on her Shakespeare
Kate Jamie, 34, who studied for ordination at Cranmer Hall, Durham, becomes a priest and will continue to serve at Easington, St Mary and Easington Colliery, The Ascension.
Originally from Essex, she said: “From an early age I took ballet, dance and drama lessons and have always loved the theatre and storytelling. I completed two years as an Education Assistant at the Education Department at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London, going on to train at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama gaining a degree in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education in 2005.
“After training at Drama School, I worked as a freelance Drama Practitioner, I then went on to complete a PGCE in Drama Teaching before going back to the Globe as an Education Manager.”
It was during her time at Drama School and working freelance for the Globe Theatre that she met her husband Matt Jamie whilst he was working as an actor at the Globe.
She said: “I was always keen to look at ways in which I could draw together my faith and the arts. I worked alongside a colleague to volunteer to run a Performing Arts programme on an estate in North London. I also worked as a volunteer to set up a meal for the homeless once a month at St Mary’s and helped with the Winter Night Shelters that brought churches together, so that those who were homeless could stay somewhere overnight.
“I also volunteered to run drama classes at ‘The Haven’, which was a residential centre for those who had been homeless and could be rehoused. These experiences of working with the arts within a Christian and Church related context began an emerging sense of vocation to see the visibility of the Church within the local community.”
“During this last year since being ordained as a Deacon – I have been working with a drama group at Hopewood Academy in Easington, helping some of the students to appreciate the brilliance of the English language and we will now be moving on to look at the works of Shakespeare and how his work has influenced modern day language.”
“Drama is a great tool for education and change and gives a voice to those, whose voice we otherwise wouldn’t hear. During my time with the Globe Theatre I worked on a number of projects that allowed young people on the margins of society to understand and reinterpret the works of Shakespeare to their story. I continue to do this in my ministry today, helping to interpret the teachings of Jesus through storytelling and use of imagination.”
Kate will be ordained Priest by the Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Paul Butler in Durham Cathedral at 5.00pm on Saturday 2nd July 2016