Information About Jake - Canonbury teacher

Personal Description:

I am a playwright, screenwriter and lyricist, specialising in musical theatre and new writing.

My credits include the stage musical adaptation of THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE, which ran at the Ambassor's Theatre in the West End, Menier Chocolate Factory and Leicester Curve and was nominated for the 2017 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical and the new musical adaptation of THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF at Cheltenham Everyman. My debut film LOVE SARAH starring Celia Imrie, Bill Paterson and Rupert Penry Jones was released in Summer 2020 and went to #1 at the New Zealand Box Office, #4 at the Australian Box Office and #5 on the Netflix Top 10 in July 2022.

Other credits include RED RIDING HOOD at Singapore Repertory Theatre (and numerous productions/translations worldwide, including translations in Mandarin and Spanish), PRODIGY for National Youth Music Theatre and FOUR PLAY for Old Vic New Voices / Theatre 503, which premiered at the Old Vic Theatre starring Richard Madden and Jeremy Irvine and is regularly produced across the UK.

I was named as one of the writers-to-watch on the 2017 BBC New Talent Hotlist. I have numerous film scripts in developments with companies including Blueprint Pictures (THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI & BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL), StudioCanal (PADDINGTON), Kudos (BROADCHURCH) and Clerkenwell Films (THE END OF THE F****ING WORLD). I am also currently writing a new stage musical for the producer of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL.

My work is published and licensed by Josef Weinberger, Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals and Nick Hern Books. The cast recordings of my musicals ADRIAN MOLE and PRODIGY are available on Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music.

As a director I have worked extensively in the West End as an Assistant Director on CALENDAR GIRLS and DEATHTRAP and I was the Associate Director of BARKING IN ESSEX starring Lee Evans, Sheila Hancock and Keeley Hawes.

I am a graduate of the Royal Court Theatre Writer's Programme and the 2016/17 BBC TV Drama Writers' Programme. I studied Drama at Bristol University and have extensive knowledge regarding new writing, musicals, classics, verbatim theatre, political theatre, theatre criticism and theatre directing

For my full biography, please visit **Web Address Removed**

Teaching Experience:

I am visiting lecturer in playwriting and musical theatre at Central St Martins (Drama Centre) and Central School of Speech and Drama. I am a regular guest lecturer and privately tutor students up to dissertation level as well as regularly mentoring emerging new writers in the industry.

I have taught playwriting and directing at St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith and for University College School (UCS) in Hampstead. I was a regular visiting theatre director at Emanuel School in Battersea, directing numerous school productions and A Level / GCSE workshops, including an acclaimed sell-out production of ANTIGONE at Edinburgh Fringe.

I also run residential workshops and masterclasses for Youth Music Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre and I have taught extensively for Stagecoach.

Teaching Approach:

I am a very friendly and outgoing teacher and passionately believe that learning should take place in a fun, relaxed and creative envrionment. I would love to hear from you if you are looking at getting into creative writing, directing or just to have someone to talk to about your ideas; be it writing plays, novels, scripts or songs. I am here to support you whether you are looking to get into the arts or if you are just a keen enthusiast wanting to develop your own skills.

I am also particularly passionate about seeing tutees who wish to widen their artistic and literary horizons; reading plays, developing creative writing skills, watching TV programmes and discussing the themes, direction, performances, etc. My approach encourages the pupil's own particular interests and applying those interests to their work. I would be more than happy to discuss any potential projects in further detail with you.