ELAYCE ISMAIL
CREATIVE PLACEMAKERS WRITER - language and identity film (working title)
Based in Lisbon, Elayce Ismail works internationally as a freelance writer, dramaturg and director. She is currently developing new operas as a writer and director with UK companies including the Royal Ballet & Opera, Glyndebourne, Opera North and Music Theatre Wales. Recent work includes: dramaturgy and stage direction on JUST FOR TODAY with London Sinfonietta at the Southbank Centre in June 2025; THE GLASS EYE, a new song cycle she wrote with composer Alex Ho, which premiered at Oxford International Song Festival and was performed at Wigmore Hall in July 2025; and directing THE JOLLOF HOUSE PARTY OPERA for Music Theatre Wales in autumn 2025.
Elayce’s work encompasses theatre (new writing, contemporary adaptations of classic texts and devising), opera, staged concerts, film, puppetry, community and participatory work. In 2020, Elayce joined Cardiff-based opera company Music Theatre Wales as Artistic Associate, where she leads on commissioning new artists, dramaturgy across new live and digital pieces, and directing live opera projects.
Elayce has directed theatre for companies including the National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Young Vic, Gate, Royal Court, Northern Stage, Soho Theatre and Deutsches Theater Berlin. She has directed opera for companies including the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Opéra Orchestre national Montpellier and Opéra national du Rhin. She has created puppetry for companies including Kneehigh and the Unicorn Theatre; film for the Young Vic and Theatertreffen Berlin; and digital music works for Music Theatre Wales, London Sinfonietta, Royal Opera House, Streetwise Opera and OperaVision. Elayce’s writing includes AMAZON for spoken voice and found sounds, OUR DARK SIDE AND THE MOON for spoken voice and soprano, and THE GLASS EYE for countertenor and piano.
Alongside her freelance work, Elayce has extensive experience of working as a director in building-based theatre companies. She was Head of New Work at the Donmar Warehouse (maternity cover) in 2020; Associate Director at Northern Stage in Newcastle in 2017/2018, where she directed UNDER MILK WOOD and THE WAR OF THE WORLDS; Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio as the recipient of the JP Morgan Award for Emerging Directors in 2014/2015, under which she directed THE RISE AND SHINE OF COMRADE FIASCO at the Gate. And in 2013, Elayce was a Jerwood Assistant Director at the Young Vic, assisting Joe Wright on A SEASON IN THE CONGO.
Elayce regularly creates work for and with young people and children, and has directed community and learning projects for companies including the Young Vic, NT, Gate, Almeida, Roundhouse, ENO, London Symphony Orchestra and City of London Sinfonia. She teaches performance, puppetry and directing in workshops and on courses for all ages; for amateurs, students and professionals.
Elayce trained at LISPA in London, graduating in 2009 from the two-year Creating Theatre and Performance postgraduate course. The training follows a Jacques Lecoq pedagogy and focuses on devising and physical theatre. She has also studied clown at École Philippe Gaulier in Paris, and holds an MA in Film Studies and a BA Hons in French and Italian, both from UCL.
Prior to training at LISPA, Elayce worked as a performer and in theatre production for companies including Complicite, and founded and co-ran site-specific Offstage Theatre from 2005-2009. After leaving LISPA, Elayce worked as a performer and puppeteer for companies including Oily Cart, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Complicite / ENO, before focusing on directing and writing.