Ellie Jay
Stevens
THEATRE DIRECTOR & PRACTITIONER
ABOUT ELLIEEllie is a theatre director, Founder & Artistic Director of Dark Skies Ensemble and Associate director of Fox and Hound Theatre Company. Originally from rural South West Scotland, she completed her MA in Drama Directing at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2022 and now resides in Bristol full-time. Before this, she received a first-class BA Honours degree in Drama and Performance from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Girl in the Machine
2022
A Trio of Tennessee Williams
2023
SnapGram Dorian Grey
2022
EXPERIENCEEllie has a keen interest in gritty and thought-provoking work. She often combines naturalistic acting with bold bursts of movement to create an exciting, cinematic feel to her work. Her directorial credits include: How You Died, which is currently on at Old Red Lion, London. A Trio of Tennessee Williams, which is about to embark on its second leg of its UK tour; The Strongest Girl in the World which won Entertainment Now’s ‘Best Theatre Play’ at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023; Girl in the Machine at the Wardrobe Theatre, and Pigment of Your Imagination at the Pleasence in London.
“Taken together, and with the support of Ellie Jay Stevens’ emotionally intelligent directing throughout, the pieces make for a compelling, impressionistic look at control and entrapment that lingers long after the actors leave the stage.”
PHILOSOPHYEllie believes in making theatre accessible to all and is currently the course leader of the Actor Development programme at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
She prides herself in her empathic approach to working; collaborating with the varied and colourful experiences brought by the people in the room and has a certificate in both Cultivating an Inclusive Theatre Making Environment and Increasing understanding of Autism – having worked with Paragon and Performance Collective Stranraer. She strongly believes this results in getting the best out of every individual involved and creates unique and heartfelt performances.
“Ellie Jay Stevens’ sublime direction brings empathy to each character. Stevens [...] manages all elements of the play with the aplomb of a seasoned theatre director.”
Bristol 24/7, 'Because We Said We Would' 2022