Sophie Ellerby

Writer Director

Sophie Ellerby is a director and writer from the East Midlands. Her career began at fifteen, starring in This is England (directed by Shane Meadows). In 2016 she was awarded a place on HighTide's First Commission scheme, where she wrote her debut play Lit, co-produced in 2019 by HighTide and Nottingham Playhouse. Lit is currently in development with the BFI and Griffin Pictures, being adapted for screen. Other theatre work includes: Three (Arcola Theatre), Function (Criterion Theatre), to whom it may concern, (Cardboard Citizens), painkiller (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Lysistrata (Lyric Hammersmith). She has a musical in development with Various Productions and screen projects in development with Miramax and SLAM Films. Her BFI funded debut short film The Walk, starring Adeel Akhtar, is currently in post-production. One of the Guardian’s ‘stage sensations’ to watch out for in 2023, her writing is built around bold, beautifully flawed characters, and aims to tackle provocative societal questions in an accessible and human way.

Sophie has recently taken the step into directing. Her work in this role predominantly exists in community spaces, specifically site specific work, with companies such as WildWorks and the National Youth Theatre.

Credits

Writer, 'Lysistrata', Lyric Hammersmith, 1 week, 2022

Writer, 'painkiller', Theatre Royal Stratford East, 1 week, 2022

Writer, 'to whom it may concern', Cardboard Citizens tour, 3 weeks, 2022

Director, 'MESS', National Youth Theatre, 1 week, 2022

Director, 'ARRIVAL', The Royal Docks, 2 weeks, 2021

Writer, 'Lit', Nottingham Playhouse / HighTide, 4 weeks, 2019

Writer, 'Function', National Youth Theatre - Criterion Theatre, 1 week, 2018

Writer, 'Three', National Youth Theatre - Arcola Theatre, 1 week, 2017

Training

National Youth Theatre Rep Company 2013
Drama BA Hons 2:1 University of Manchester 2012

Location

London

Experience

5-10 years

Art forms / Disciplines

  • Film - short
  • Live art
  • Theatre / Live perfomance
  • TV - drama

What I do

  • Devising
  • Directing
  • Dramaturgy
  • Facilitating
  • Outdoor performance
  • Performing
  • Site Responsive/Immersive
  • Street Theatre
  • Theatre making
  • Verbatim theatre
  • Working with disabled non-professional adults / children
  • Working with learning disabled adults / children
  • Working with young people
  • Working with young people with special educational needs
  • Working within a Community / with community participants
  • Workshopping & Development
  • Writing

Additional Languages

No

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