Lizzie Jackson

My name is Lizzie Jackson (she/her), I am 22 years old and from South London. I have a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that is severe in my left ear and moderate in my right. Hearing aids help me to function in my day to day life, and I use spoken english to communicate, as I have never been taught to sign.

Recently, I graduated with a first in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University, and I now I am working towards achieving my goal of becoming a playwright/director. During my time at university, I wrote, directed and produced my own short play ‘HATCH’ to raise money for the charity the piece is inspired from. ‘HATCH’ tells the story of an encounter between two women who meet outside a ‘baby hatch’ where they plan on abandoning their newborn babies. This has been a successful production and has since been performed as part of an event ‘Women's Night’ at Spotlight UK hosted by Actor Awareness, with whom also gave me the opportunity to showcase 'HATCH' in Barons Court in September.

I am interested in directing new writing and experimental productions, especially from those who are D/deaf, disabled or from BAME backgrounds. I feel that these productions are the best way to bring important issues into the spotlight, allowing them to be fully realised, which encourages us as a race to be compassionate and understanding of each other.

I am currently part of ‘The Agitators’ Programme at the Royal Court, which partly requires me to read, watch, and give my opinion on all the plays of the season, as well as hosting the post show talks of the plays I am attached to. The Agitator programme also includes dramaturgical and facilitation training, expertise workshops with industry professionals across all theatre departments, dinners with political activists to discuss and debate current political issues, and attending rehearsals for Royal Court shows.

Credits

Training