Why award-winning actor Kate Dickie is returning to her roots at the Royal Conservatoire
In short: From the halls of Westeros to the Star Wars galaxy, Kate Dickie has built a formidable career. Now, the Scottish actor is returning to her alma mater as a patron of the Junior Conservatoire, aiming to support the next generation of artists by being a relatable mentor rather than a formal figure.
Kate Dickie, a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s class of 1993, has been appointed as a patron of the institution's Junior Conservatoire. This role sees her working with students aged 11 to 18, offering guidance and acting as a sounding board for young people navigating their own artistic paths. For Dickie, who received an honorary doctorate from the institution in 2023, the appointment is a way to foster the same sense of belonging she found as a student, where she first felt she was no longer a square peg in a round hole.
Born in East Kilbride, Dickie moved frequently throughout her childhood due to her father’s work as a professional gardener. She credits drama with helping her channel her imagination and build friendships during these transitions. Her career has since spanned diverse projects, including roles in Game of Thrones, Prometheus, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Despite this success, she remains committed to the idea that arts access is critical for emotional articulation and building empathy, particularly for young people exploring stories outside their own lived experiences.
Reflecting on her journey from a working-class background to the screen, Dickie emphasizes the importance of trusting one's instincts and setting boundaries. She admits that earlier in her career, she lived in fear of being exposed as inadequate, a sentiment she hopes to help today’s students avoid. By positioning herself as someone relatable who can share a laugh, she aims to demystify the industry and encourage young artists to own their space, reinforcing that there is no single wrong way to pursue a creative life.
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