jessi lee clayton

ba, ma, phd

jessi lee clayton ba, ma, phdjessi lee clayton ba, ma, phdjessi lee clayton ba, ma, phdjessi lee clayton ba, ma, phd
  • me
  • stuff i do
  • stuff i have done
  • current projects
  • working with you

jessi lee clayton

ba, ma, phd

jessi lee clayton ba, ma, phdjessi lee clayton ba, ma, phdjessi lee clayton ba, ma, phd
  • me
  • stuff i do
  • stuff i have done
  • current projects
  • working with you

selected past works & current interests

As a screenwriter I am interested in the complexities of chosen and biological family, rurality and sexuality, women's experiences, relationships with the more-than-human, and the climate crisis.  I am currently working on three hour-long TV pilots and one feature and have recently worked as a runner/assistant for a Various Artists Limited & Netflix writer's room. I am keen to join the growing number of working/prison-class and care experienced queer voices in the industry to widen the kinds of stories on our screens.


As a playwright, director, and dramaturg I am interested in delving more into site specific work in order to explore queer relationships with nature as well as how theatre and performance can better engage with the natural environment. My past stage work has prioritised exploring class and gender identity and how that intersects with queer life in regional & rural areas. I received the maximum Developing Your Creative Practice Grant from Arts Council England in 2023-2024 for my experimental nature performance practices with an application supported by Gate Theatre & Camden People's Theatre. 


I have written, researched, taught, and directed at venues such as Camden People's Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe, The Gate London, Craftory Workshops, Karma Sanctum SOHO,  Oxford Playhouse, University College Oxford, Birkbeck, University of London, and RADA Studios.

Two performers sitting across from each other. One is gesturing with a pen whilst the other listens.

Photo: Phoebe Lula Photography | Camden People's Theatre 2019

Scribe Lounge Idea to Script | 2024

Script Editor | Days of Awe by Tom Joseph | 2022-2023

Script Editor | Days of Awe by Tom Joseph | 2022-2023

During this eight week intensive I worked alongside James Capel and Amy Trevaskus to complete my TV Drama pilot, earthly beings, which has since been sent out to producers with positive feedback. 

Script Editor | Days of Awe by Tom Joseph | 2022-2023

Script Editor | Days of Awe by Tom Joseph | 2022-2023

Script Editor | Days of Awe by Tom Joseph | 2022-2023

I worked alongside writer Tom Joseph on this feature script which has been optioned by 3ARTS in the US and has Simon Stephens and Keke Palmer attached.

PhD practice based thesis and play text 'dirt' | 2023

Script Editor | Days of Awe by Tom Joseph | 2022-2023

Writing Room Runner | Various Artists Limited & Netflix | 2022

As a part of my PhD thesis, titled 'Rural lesbian subjectivities & writing with the nonhuman: a feminist dramaturgical practice', I wrote an experimental site-specific play alongside a book-length critical reflection and exploration of nonhuman feminist dramaturgy. The thesis can be read in its entirety here. 

Writing Room Runner | Various Artists Limited & Netflix | 2022

script editor and dramaturg | Gabriel | Oxford Playhouse | 2022

Writing Room Runner | Various Artists Limited & Netflix | 2022

I worked as the runner in support of the writers room for this medical TV Drama series headed by Adam Kay during which I gained invaluable insight into collaborative TV writing.

script editor and dramaturg | Gabriel | Oxford Playhouse | 2022

script editor and dramaturg | Gabriel | Oxford Playhouse | 2022

script editor and dramaturg | Gabriel | Oxford Playhouse | 2022

I worked alongside my writing partner as the script editor and dramaturg on  Clare Bayley's adaptation of Gabriel by George Sand for Oxford Playhouse and University College Oxford, funded by Cameron Mackintosh. 

Co-artistic director | Free School Lunch Theatre Company | 2017-2023

Co-artistic director | Free School Lunch Theatre Company | 2017-2023

Co-artistic director | Free School Lunch Theatre Company | 2017-2023

Working-class and queer theatre company with work funded at Camden Fringe, Craftory Workshop, Camden People’s Theatre, Karma Sanctum Soho, and shortlisted for Barbican Makers. Camden Fringe Award Winning & Offy Nominated.

QUEER HONKYTONK | Funded in-part by Farnham Maltings | 2021 - 2023

Co-artistic director | Free School Lunch Theatre Company | 2017-2023

Co-artistic director | Free School Lunch Theatre Company | 2017-2023

Butch Jessi & Terry the Kid’s Travelling Honkytonk for Communists, Cowboys & Queers is a WIP project exploring how the Wild West can transform into a queer utopia as long as you have the right honkytonk hosts. This project is partially funded by Farnham Maltings Working-Class Artist Funding.

Writer | Den of Geek | 2022

Co-artistic director | Free School Lunch Theatre Company | 2017-2023

Dramaturgy and Research Assistant | Shakespeare’s Globe | 2019-2020

Writing about theatre, interviewing people who make theatre, and generally just enjoying pop-culture for money here. It is a good time and a brain-rest from writing scripts. Always open for commissions to review. 

Dramaturgy and Research Assistant | Shakespeare’s Globe | 2019-2020

Dramaturgy and Research Assistant | Shakespeare’s Globe | 2019-2020

Dramaturgy and Research Assistant | Shakespeare’s Globe | 2019-2020

Write accessible blogs, provide research support for the creative team, take initiative with providing dramaturgical feedback. Enjoy standing and watching Shakespeare. Enjoy thatched roofs. 

Assistant Director & Dramaturg | The Human Voice, The Gate | 2018

Dramaturgy and Research Assistant | Shakespeare’s Globe | 2019-2020

Assistant Director & Dramaturg | The Human Voice, The Gate | 2018

A working-class scouse translation of a queer French solo-play. A woman, trapped in a box, who you only hear through headphones. Regional accents only, thanks. 

Caring for these creatures.

Dramaturgy and Research Assistant | Shakespeare’s Globe | 2019-2020

Assistant Director & Dramaturg | The Human Voice, The Gate | 2018

Alongside my partner I keep Sophia the cat and Moira the dog alive. They are both very expensive and prefer being ill on bank holidays. They are rescues with extensive mental and emotional issues. Sophia also has kidney disease. They are the most expensive writing assistants I have ever employed. 0/10 review tbh.

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