David Hill

David John Hill (born December 1955), also known by his stage name Rowland D. Hill by his pen name D.R. Hill, is a British theatre director, writer, actor, and cultural consultant. He is the founder of ArtReach, a leading UK cultural development agency, and has been involved in numerous high-profile art projects, including the production of the world's largest interactive digital artwork, Under Scan by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Hill has also authored several works, including the short story collection House Clearance and the plays Draining the Swamp and Who is Claude Cahun?

Early life and education Hill was born in Birmingham, UK. He received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours degree in Drama and English from the University of Hull and later completed a Master of Arts (MA) in Acting from the University of Essex.

Career

Theatre and directing Hill began his career as a theatre practitioner, working with companies such as Welfare State International, IOU Theatre, and the Pip Simmons Theatre Group. He also worked with and directed shows at the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Arts Laboratory, and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

In the 1980s, Hill was appointed as the first Marketing Director at the Birmingham Hippodrome, where he initiated the marketing and publicity department during two major capital refurbishments. The theatre became home to the Welsh National Opera and Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) during his tenure.

Hill later served as the Artistic Director of Theatre Station Blyth in Northumberland, where he developed original community theatre. His work earned a National Training Award and was shortlisted for the Sainsbury Arts in Education Awards.

As an associate director at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, Hill focused on new theatre writing and worked with playwrights such as Jude Alderson, Barrie Keeffe, David Wood, and Peter Nichols. He directed productions including A Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Way of the World, Family Affairs, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

In 1995, Hill produced and directed The Official Tribute to Dennis Potter, featuring contributions from notable actors such as Alan Bates, Gemma Craven, Frank Finlay, Imelda Staunton, and Corin Redgrave. The project included a debate on the future of original television drama with Michael Grade, Alan Yentob, Lynda La Plante, and Alan Plater.

In 2024, Hill was appointed as Chair of The Garrick Theatre, Lichfield and in 2025 was named a trustee and a board member of the Gate Theatre.

ArtReach In 1996, Hill founded ArtReach, a cultural development agency that has produced major outdoor arts festivals, including Night of Festivals and Journeys Festival International. ArtReach also led the production of Under Scan, the world's largest interactive video artwork, which was showcased in Trafalgar Square, London, and other UK locations. The other notable projects directed by Hill include Three Cities Create and Connect and wide-ranging European collaboration projects – FREEDOM, JOURNEYS, and VOICES. ArtReach also provides cultural consultancy, focusing on capital development, business planning, fundraising, governance, and organizational development.

Hill has been instrumental in the development of several arts venues, including Norden Farm Centre for the Arts (Maidenhead), The Peepul Centre (Leicester), Cornerstone (Didcot), New Art Exchange and PRIMARY (Nottingham). For Norden Farm, he produced and directed two Opening Galas with contributions from, amongst others, Laurie Holloway, Timothy West, Prunella Scales, Ronnie Corbett, Jimmy Tarbuck, Earl Okin, and Michael Parkinson.

Writing and acting Hill has published several works, under his writing name D.R. Hill, including the short story collection House Clearance (shortlisted for the Eyelands International Book Awards in 2020), and the play Draining the Swamp, which toured the UK and was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023. His play Who is Claude Cahun? will be presented at Southwark Playhouse Borough in 2025.

As an actor, Hill has appeared in independent feature films such as Murder Ballads, Teddy and the Mountain, and Dirty Games, as well as numerous stage shows, short films, and music videos.

Awards and recognition

National Training Award (1991) for work with adults with learning disabilities. Shortlisted for the Sainsbury Arts in Education Awards (1990). Shortlisted for the Eyelands International Book Awards (2020 and 2022).

Professional affiliations

Hill has held several leadership roles in the arts sector, including: Trustee and Vice Chair of Curve Theatre, Leicester (2008–2015). Chair of Winchester Hat Fair and Theatre Royal Winchester (2013–2021). Chair of the Garrick Theatre, Lichfield (2023–present). Trustee of the Gate Theatre, London, and From the Other Side, a refugee literature project (2024–present).

Publications

House Clearance (short stories, 2019). ArtReach, 25 Years of Cultural Development (2022). Draining the Swamp (play, 2023). Co-author of Under Scan with Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (2006).