Theatre Director, fledgling crocheter and lifetime socialist.
Prev. Res Director
@sixthemusical
UK and International Tour 👑. All words my own etc
(She/they)
Related to my leaving Six post: I am free from August for Freelance Directing! An exciting and terrifying prospect. If you've ever thought my work sounds cool or that we'd work well together, drop me a DM. Open to everything from scripts to Zoom coffees while I'm on the road.
I'm in the interval for Ocean At The End of The Lane
@NationalTheatre
and a kid just turned round to her mam and shouted "THIS IS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN" and tbh that's why we make theatre isn't it
Directors: Too many people encourage us to see each other as competition and it 100% doesn't have to be that way.
I run a monthly meet up for directors where we all get drunk, share tips and vent when necessary. Its super lovely. If you want in, let me know. Everyone is welcome!
For the mother of God PLEASE use these opportunities broadcasting to millions of people to say "theatre in the UK will shut down if it doesn't get more funding soon." Do not give people more reasons to criticise it instead. I feel like I'm going mad.
“I worry sometimes that we’re moving towards a sanitised version of everything”
Actor Matt Smith says theatre should “shock” people and that “one of the great things about Doctor Who was that you scared children, but in a controlled way”
#BBCLauraK
Post-Guardian Twitter Lyn is the equivalent of a fabulous woman recently divorced from a very average man- now unapologetically living her best life with a hot new hair cut.
Also, for theatre workers/lovers who aren't/can't go to Edinburgh for various reasons, how about a thread for all the lovely stuff, big and small, you're up to this month?
I have a week R&Ding a play I really care about and I'm celebrating two of my mates getting married.
The director I'm currently working for has given me a day off next week for my Mum visiting because And I quote 'I'd be a monster if I got in the way of a Mum day'. Can we have more like her please?
Writers: in 5 weeks I will be unemployed, living with my parents, and therefore will have endless time to read your fab scripts 😘.
I am a really experienced director with a knack for new writing and musicals- so if you're searching for collaborators do give me a shout!
Current pattern of emotions in relation to theatre work:
1) elation over small bits of success/productivity.
2) get a knock back, see everyone's roaring successes on social media + decide that I'm a complete failure + will fuck all my projects up.
*repeat every 12-15 hours*
It's endlessly funny to me when the Stage Debuts are announced like "congrats to these new emerging talents 🥺" and then there's just Oscar nominees in there
People who work in theatre: be nice to service staff!!!
You never know when you may be talking to someone who works in the same industry as you, and it ain't cute. 🤷♀️
I am so over the way that people talk to women about food.
Someone I know just said 'caught you' to me because she saw me with an ice lolly and a bag of crisps. Hun this isn't a robbery I've just bought some carbs.
Been directing for about 4 years now and here i am, looking ahead at a potential year of unemployment, still feeling confused about how people get directing/assistant directing jobs. How does that work?
My boyfriend when someone has minorly wronged me: I understand why you're upset, but I'm sure they didn't mean to make you feel that way. You'll move past it or work it out in time.
My housemates: CUT THEM OUT. CANCEL THEM. THEY WILL NEVER STEP FOOT IN THIS HOUSE SO HELP ME GO-
Anyone who wants a Britain free of injustice should wish
@Keir_Starmer
well - and support his promises to hike taxes on the rich to invest, promote public ownership, expand the welfare state, abolish tuition fees and tackle the climate emergency.
Sick of orgs covering up poor wages by making the job 'part time'. If the job requires commitment that stops freelancers from taking other work, you're still forcing them to live on an inadequate salary, there's just a loophole so you don't look bad 😇.
Remember to switch off social media if watching all these announcements is giving you 'I will never be able to afford to take a show to Edinburgh' blues.
Twitterland makes it look like everyone + their dog is going, but there'll be stacks of people in the same position as you.
My day at Fringe yesterday was a big stonking confirmation that I really really want to direct my first fringe show next year. Writers/producers, if you're cooking up ideas for 2025: please drop me a line. I'm very good at what I do, especially when it's new writing!
Truly wish I could regain the emailing confidence of 19 year old me who emailed Lindsay Posner's agent asking him to see my student production, referring to him as a woman the whole time.
The first line of the reply just said 'Hi Emily, Lindsay is a man.'
Do you know what one of my proudest moments as a director has been? Making a play about 2 teenage girls, then listening to an audience of all ages + genders connect to it + say how much it reminded them of their own experiences.
Show 2 of Fledglings tonight + I'm beaming ❤
If you're looking for something to do about the Eve Leigh situation, I just went through twitter and reported tweets that are abusive or harmful, especially the horrific ones calling for her to be deported. This all so disheartening and speaks to a much bigger problem.
WE GOT ACE FUNDING LADS!!!
If you donated to our Crowdfunder, come to our Fundraiser or even shared our posts- you helped us get this lads. So thank you!!!!!!!!
We have some exciting news...
After two applications & a lot of hard work, we are excited to announce that Alcatraz will be funded by
@ace_national
.
Special thanks to anyone who donated to our CrowdFunder or came to our Fundraisers, your help meant we met out ACE Requirements.
Gerry seeing the girls having a great time at the Take That concert, smiling and saying nothing to their Mams is yet another reason why he must be protected at all costs.
#DerryGirls
Literally where do you put work on if you're starting out and don't have obscene amounts of money for 503???? Trajectory for early career artists feels dead right now, and we've lost the only life raft. Class.
After an incredible three and a half years, we will be closing our doors in March 2020, due to proposed redevelopment of the site.
Today we're announcing our programming for January, and our plans for our final months
For more information:
Director and current Lab Associate Director at
@NSTheatres
looking to make some kick-ass theatre in 2020 and beyond.
Particularly good at New Writing and comedy that makes you sad out of nowhere.
Writers/Producers- hit me up 🎭.
#OVConnect
Problems with doing all your Freelance work in theatre cafes: sometimes your friends may think you are actually giving them their big break
@lucypapoosky
.
There are so many pinch me moments with this job, but getting my official Six merch is a really really big one!!!! Look at my silly little name and my silly little job title!!!!!
For anyone that needs to know: there's a show on Channel 4 for the next month called
#TheDogHouse
where people go to a rescue centre to adopt dogs and it's a full on tearjerker every week 🐕😭.
We are spending the next 5 years writing to MPs & pushing this wishy washy government as left as we can. We are lobbying for trans rights & care. We are fighting for the climate. We are finding the disenfranchised areas vulnerable to Reform & we're showing them a better way.
Theatre workers who have been priced out of London (how there aren't hoardes more of you I'll never know), where are you moving to and how are you making it work?
CASTING CALL: We are currently looking to see pregnant actors w/playing age 30-45 for Alcatraz
@VAULTFestival
. Stage of pregnancy can be anywhere from 3-7 months.
Auditions are this week- please email efitzg
@hotmail
.co.uk if you are interested!
Director with a lot of experience in new writing and ADing on Mid Scale, love work that celebrates how incredible people can be. Feeling a bit lost and looking for lovely projects to work on next year
#OVConnect
I'm a theatre director and lover of all things silly. Have a few new exciting projects that need Producers and Designers- hit me up!
#OVConnect
Also always looking to meet new writers.
here are what my plays look like sometimes if you need more info x
Next year isnt even here yet and I am already:
- directing my first film
- seeing John Grant live
- going to Japan with my best mate and doing some bits on my own (!!!)
Honestly 2020 I am ready for you ❤❤❤❤
WRITERS AND PRODUCERS: I would really love you to see Alcatraz. I think it sums up the kind of work I like to make and my style as a director. If you want to come see it, it's at
@VAULTFestival
from 27th Feb-3rd March. Let me know if you plan on coming 😊😊
For the first time since my mental health jumped up from mild to severe I have actually managed to get myself out of a really low mood and have a lovely day with my family- I am so, so proud of myself :) :) :).
I start rehearsals today so naturally I had a dream last night where Lyn Gardner reviewed Alcatraz saying, and I quote:
"Emily Collins thinks she's so great but her direction is boring, predictable and stupid. Alcatraz is a good play but too late she ruined it nevermind."
In 2016 I directed my final piece of student theatre. It was a revival of Contractions by Mike Bartlett and still one of the shows I am most proud of.
2018, and I'm pinching myself.
On the top deck of the bus I'm on, a man patronisingly asked a woman not to forget her rubbish.
When he left the bus, two tickets dropped out of his pocket. A drunk guy then dropped them out of the window shouting 'Don't forget your rubbish!' and they landed on his head.
This year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the best year there's been in ages but honestly can we just appreciate the sheer poetry of the winning photo?
Six years ago I saw my first
@WeAreKneehigh
show and decided I wanted to be a director.
Today I saw my second Kneehigh show as part of my first Directing Residency, and I left as giddy and spell bound as the 17yr old me who'd just worked out what she wanted to do with her life.
1. The Zone of Interest
I just want everyone to see this. Evil is often mundane, pedestrian, and about what you ignore: you couldn't capture that better than this film does if you tried. Insane craft, such strong execution and I left completely dumbfounded by the impact of it.
I have just seen the set being built for Fledglings and GOOD GOD.
This is by far the biggest show I've ever done.
This is by far the most resources I've had thrown behind one of my productions.
What a terrifying and incredible feeling.
Obsessed with the rise of this guy. Week two he was putting weird blonde wigs on fish jugs, now he's one of the strongest potters in there. Simply iconic.
#potterythrowdown
I've had about 2 months of Very Bad News. Which, weirdly mundanely, involves a lot of "Hi I Have Very Bad News" admin.
But today I got to do a lot of "Hi I Have Very Good News" admin ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Most of the people I'm speaking to about how bleak working in theatre feels right now are established/connected enough to still be getting work in. If you are adrift with no work and no hope of future work - just a shoutout that you're not alone ❤❤❤❤.
Hey!!! I'm just gonna leave a link to my website here!!!!
Is it because I have no work next year??? Is it because I'm looking for lovely new stuff to get involved with as a director/Assistant Director???
Who knows...one of life's eternal mysteries...
Every season I worry that
@dadwroteaporno
will lose its glean but it's Episode One and God has appeared as a character- so safe to say my worries were unjustified.
#PornoDay
Who would be good to talk to about working with puppets as a director? It's something I've wanted to do since I started directing but have literally no idea where to begin?
What's your worst idea for a modern Shakespeare staging?
Mine is Midsummer Night's Dream set in Ikea. The mechanicals are the staff, the lovers are customers and the fairies are squatters.
We're thrilled to announce Roy Alexander Weise & Bryony Shanahan as our new Artistic Directors. "We are excited to be working with each other & with Steve, to become part of the Exchange’s evolution, & to make work with & for the people of Manchester."
My heart breaks at the continuous neglect of the North East, and its use for political gain when it suits politicians. The talent in Newcastle gives it the potential to be one of the most important cultural hubs in the UK, it's funding that prevents it.
A gorgeous day at
@painesplough
Roundabout. Bellringers had such sharp and intriguing writing, How I Learned To Swim had a gorgeously tight production and I saw the gem My Mother's Funeral with my mum...need I say anymore 🥲.
The goats keep goating. 🐐
So much respect for Adam and the rest of the fabulous Jewish theatremakers holding Falsettos to account. It's really frustrating to see their thoughtful, considered arguments being twisted in this way. Asking for basic representation should not be spun into a radical request.
You’re simplifying what we said. We absolutely think non-jewish actors can play jews onstage. We are simply saying that minority stories shouldn’t be told without meaningful inclusion of the minorities whose stories they tell. That hasn’t happened here on any level.
The end of Anatomy of a Fall where these two know they have one shot to go for it and its now or never, but both of them both know better and just collectively decide to let the tension pass.
Top 3 reasons why I might hate a film:
3) "I just felt like nothing happened and they pretended that meant it was intellectual."
2) Northern accents used to show someone is stupid/something is 'gritty'
1) "You can just tell that no women were involved in making this."
I turn 24 today and I'm spending the day at
@NSTheatres
working on set for The Audience with
@MrSamHodges
.
I don't know if I say it much, but I really really really love my job.
Having a very anxious time out of nowhere so my flat mate is bringing round her family's dog to cheer me up and honestly can we prescribe pets on the NHS?
There is a lot of chat on here at the moment about people struggling to get on the dreaded AD ladder, especially for wc artists. I'm happy to share my experience if that is useful to any directors out there- just drop me a DM!
Theatre directors who don't live in london: how are you making things work?
Would love to balance going for big career stuff with choosing peace and not paying £700+ a month for a box, but is this possible? Do you still make work in London at all too?
@lucypapoosky
@royalcourt
Someone said to me recently that you should not separate your day job from your creative work because all of your jobs define bits of who you are as a person (years of customer service means I am ALWAYS extra nice to service staff).
If I'd been born a bit later than I was I wouldn't have been able to do Drama A Level at college (I was already too couldn't do GCSE) and wouldn't have been taken to see the Emma Rice production that made me want to be a director.
What you're shown in school matters.
We welcome the launch of the curriculum review which will aim to to put arts subjects 'back at the heart of learning.'
It can't come soon enough. Arts education has undergone years of decline. Arts access for young people has suffered. It's time to fix
#TheStateoftheArts
.
The Estate in the Dorfman / 2025
#AdeelAkhtar
(Four Lions) plays an ambitious politician with his sights set on Number 10 when his father’s death brings questions about the family estate to the fore. Shaan Sahota’s new play is directed by Daniel Raggett.
We are absolutely overjoyed to announce that Fledglings is being supported by
@ace_southwest
!
Well done to our superstar of a producer
@holy_mitchell
for making this happen- you really are a dream. 💫
I'm taking a break from theatre and going back to my day job in the new year to get my creative groove back 💃.
What should I read/watch/listen to?! Literally open to anything - just want to soak up loads of awesome stuff that's gonna make me feel inspired.