Elayce Ismail
Artistic Associate

I grew up on the Isle of Wight and in London, where I’m now based, and work throughout the UK and internationally as a freelance theatre and opera director, and dramaturg. Alongside freelancing, I have also been Associate Director at Northern Stage in Newcastle, Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio, an Associate Artist of Boundless Theatre, and currently, Head of New Work (maternity cover) at the Donmar Warehouse.

I began my theatre career as an actor and producer, having studied French and Italian, and then Film at UCL. I later trained at LISPA on the post-graduate ‘Creating Theatre and Performance’ course, which follows a Jacques Lecoq pedagogy rooted in devising and ensemble theatre-making. This has hugely influenced the way I make my work, which is collaborative, ensemble-driven and interdisciplinary – spanning text, performance, puppetry, movement, film and music.

I’m really excited to join MTW as the Artistic Associate leading on New Directions as it is a wonderful chance to work with a wide range of artists, and think imaginatively about the future of opera.