EMMA KELLY
A dynamic dramatist with significant experience in theatre and education
Having taught drama alongside developing and producing site-specific theatre, I now write for stage and screen. I combine my performance background with my writing skills to tell intriguing stories. My work is comic, dark and provocative. I am interested in science fiction, psychological drama, social theatre, and magical realism.
RECENT WRITING PROJECTS (2020-2023)
Circulate
Commissioned by Circulate
A short play for a circus and theatre R&D collaboration at Jacksons Lane theatre, London, performed as part of a sharing in February 2023.
Town House Voices
Recruited to write for a community project to raise money for The Regency Town House in Hove
An immersive site-specific piece collaborating with historians and the community. Performed September 2022. Take a look behind the scenes.
The Three
Commissioned by Zurich International School
A short science fiction film to empower young people. June 2022.
Le Chat Noir
Resident writer at Close Encounters Theatre Company
A site-specific play set in a cabaret bar where Alan Turing meets an AI and explores human nature. Performed in May 2022
Seven Sins
Commissioned by Zurich International School
A comedy play addressing the evils of school life. Performed in June 2021 by Zurich International School.
Performed by Close Encounters Theatre Company in May 2022
Frankenstein
Resident writer at Close Encounters Theatre Company
An adaptation for youth theatre with a modern twist. Performed in December 2021
Resident writer at Close Encounters Theatre Company
Inspired by Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Performed in Zurich – May 2021
Resident writer at Close Encounters Theatre Company
A verbatim piece using actors’ personal stories as inspiration Performed in Zurich – December 2020
A Small Trifle
A short play exploring sexual identity. Selected for ACT2, nominated for the Off Westend OnComm awards 2020.
Performed online – June 2020
Extraordinary Tales of the Locked Down World
Commissioned by Close Encounters Theatre Company
Virtual scenes thematically linked to the pandemic. Performed online to an international audience – June 2020
Extraordinary Tales of the Locked Down World – Part 2
Commissioned by Close Encounters Theatre Company
Due to the success of the first event, a second was commissioned. Performed online to an international audience – May 2021
DRAMATURGY 2020-2021
I worked with Catherine Cronin on her play Orphan Disease. The play was about her cancer survival. It premiered in Millers in Zurich and is now moving to Watergate Theatre in Dublin.
WRITING COACH 2020-2021
I have designed and taught several online writing classes for adults, introducing them to the skills they need to develop characters and narrative arcs, as well as some of the essential practices in a writers’ room.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Head of Drama and LAMDA Teacher Brighton College Prep 2004-2019
As Head of Drama at the Prep School for eight years, I directed big-budget musicals and was committed to inspiring a passion for performing arts at the school. Initially recruited as a drama teacher, coaching students in acting, improvisation, mime, devised theatre, filmmaking, and poetry. I became instrumental in building a thriving drama department. After developing a drama syllabus and setting the school up as a private LAMDA examining centre, I was offered the department head role.
Drama Specialist 2004-2006
Volunteering in a community play setting inspired me to start a drama and art workshop company called Jamboree Arts. In collaboration with other artists, the company created bespoke drama and art workshops for councils, local schools, and festivals.
Performance Artist 2000-2007
I wrote, directed, and acted in performance installations at music festivals. I used multimedia to create immersive theatre when it was still a developing performance style.
VOLUNTARY WORK 2018-2020
In 2018 I co-founded the first drama society at the University of Arts London as the treasurer. I also led performance workshops for members.
In 2020 as a workshop facilitator, I volunteered with Rethink Mental Illness to design workshops to address the student community’s mental health issues.
In 2020 with MAKE Story Garden in St Pancreas, I was part of a training program to facilitate participatory projects.
EDUCATION
MA in Dramatic Writing with Merit, Drama Centre, Central Saint Martins,
London LSDE Diploma in Speech and Drama Education with Distinction, LAMDA
CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Playwork, The Council for Children’s Care and Education Cambridge CELTA certificate in English language teaching, St Giles College, Brighton
BA Hon’s Degree in Theatre and Visual Art (2-1), Brighton University of Art, Brighton
Art Foundation BETC, Falmouth College of Art, Falmouth, Cornwall
PROFESSIONAL DETAILS
Linkedin: Emma Kelly Dramatist
Instagram: @e.l.kelly_