Zoe Murtagh

Theatre Director Performance Maker Facilitator Writer Filmmaker

(She/They)
I am a writer, director & facilitator based in Newcastle upon Tyne and working nationally. I make theatre, film, performance and poetry, & create work on themes of equality, queerness, heritage, the environment and friendships in a way that is accessible and vibrant. Inspired by social movements, school science lessons, Kate Bush’s dancing and folklore, I strive to create playful disruptions in everyday life through work in theatres, festivals, zines, schools and on screen.
In 2016 I was the recipient of Title Pending's Award for Innovation in Theatre.

Credits

Associate Director to Kirsty Housley, Jekyll & Hyde, National Theatre, National Theatre Schools Tour, Dec 23 - Apr 24
Director & Writer, A is for Amy, Changing Relations, Oct 2023
Director, Careless (Music Video), Holly Rees, 2023
RSC Playmaking Festival, Director Mentor, Northern Stage/RSC, Feb - Jul 23,
Assistant Director to Matthew Dunster & Jimmy Fairhurst, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Not Too Tame, Shakespeare North Playhouse, Northern Stage, 2022
Associate Director, Jekyll & Hyde, National Theatre, National Theatre Schools Tour (National), Dec 21 - Apr 22
Director & Writer, After The Break (Short Film), BBC iPlayer, BBC New Creatives, Tyneside Cinema, BBC
Writer, BBC Writers Room North East, 2021
Freelance Artist, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art 2019 - Present
Writer, We Have Rather Been Invaded (Queer & Now Scratch), Live Theatre 2020
Freelance Writer/Facilitator, New Writing North 2016 - Present
Assistant Director to Mark Calvert, Alice in Wonderland, Northern Stage, 2017 (JMK Assistant Director's Award Bursary & Leverhulme Arts Scholarship)
Young Vic 'Reach Out' Programme & Placement, 2017-18
Writer/Performer, Iconography, Curious Festival, 2019
Director, 10 Mins To, Live Theatre
Writer/Performer, The Lamppost Petition, Live Theatre, ARC Stockton, Custom's House, The Maltings (Berwick upon Tweed) 2017/18
Writer/Performer, Sacre Blue, Northern Stage, Camden People's Theatre, Theatre by the Lake 2015/16


Training

1st Class Degree in Performance (BA Hons)
BSL Level 1 and currently undertaking Level 2 . Deaf Awareness. Full Enhanced DBS. First Aid at Work. Level 3 Advanced Safeguarding for Children & Young People. Level 2 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults. Young People’s Mental Health First Aid. Disability Provision & Support Training.

Location

Tyne and Wear

Experience

5-10 years

Art forms / Disciplines

  • Film - short
  • Literature
  • Live art
  • Multi-disciplinary / cross art form
  • Radio/Audio
  • Theatre / Live perfomance
  • Visual arts

What I do

  • Access consultancy (including BSL, audio-description and neurodiversity)
  • Creative Access
  • Directing
  • Facilitating
  • Performance Art
  • Teaching / Coaching
  • Theatre making
  • Working with Deaf artists
  • Working with Deaf non-professional adults / children
  • Working with disabled artists
  • Working with disabled non-professional adults / children
  • Working with learning disabled artists
  • Working with young people
  • Working with young people with special educational needs
  • Working within a Community / with community participants
  • Workshopping & Development
  • Writing

Additional Languages

Learning BSL (Level 2)

Social

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