JAKE.SMITH

I am Jake Smith, Artistic Director and CEO of Eastern Angles, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and the acclaimed touring company for the East of England—hailed by BBC Radio Suffolk as “The National Theatre of East Anglia.” For over 40 years, Eastern Angles has brought professional, community-driven theatre to rural and regional audiences. I lead the company with a commitment to ambitious storytelling, inclusivity, and sustainability.

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My directing career spans intimate rural tours, major regional theatres, and commercial venues including the West End. Highlights include We Aren’t Kids Anymore at the Savoy Theatre, Stones in His Pockets on tour, Into the Woods at Southwark Playhouse, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. As Resident Director at the Almeida Theatre and a participant in the National Theatre Directors Programme, I have deepened my skills in shaping new work and reimagining classics. My UK premiere of Halley Feiffer’s I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard earned an Off West End Award nomination for Best Director.

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I began as Creative Learning Facilitator at Hull Truck Theatre and trained as a director at Chichester Festival Theatre, assisting notable directors including Jonathan Kent, Nadia Fall, Max Stafford Clark and Howard Davies. This foundation sharpened my literary sensibility and respect for text, which I bring to every project. I have a passion for the written word—working closely with playwrights to nurture scripts that are both structurally rich and emotionally vivid.

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Collaboration with actors is central to my process. I strive to build trusting, generative relationships that allow performers to explore deeply and discover new emotional truths. I encourage actors to bring their own insights to the work, creating a creative dialogue that enriches the storytelling and heightens audience connection.

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My style balances thoughtful attention to detail with a strong focus on emotional impact. I believe theatre should be both smart and moving—offering audiences experiences that stay with them long after the show ends. 

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My love for rural landscapes and working-class heritage informs much of my work at Eastern Angles. We create theatre that reflects the histories, challenges, and pride of East Anglia’s communities. I am also committed to sustainable theatre practices and am collaborating with eco-dramaturg Andrew Burton to develop a theory of reciprocity.

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As CEO, I combine creative vision with strategic leadership—building resilient teams, securing partnerships, and championing access and representation. My background in counselling and education informs an empathetic, collaborative leadership style. I am passionate about mentoring emerging artists, particularly from rural and working-class backgrounds, to help make the arts more inclusive and representative.

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Critics and audiences respond to the honesty, heart, and ambition I bring to every production. Whether directing musicals, new writing, or classics, my goal is always to create work that moves, challenges, and endures—rooted in story, place, and people.

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For me, theatre is a vital public good—a space for empathy, dialogue, and transformation. I am dedicated to ensuring it remains accessible, ambitious, and deeply connected to the communities it serves.