Snapshot.
I work with writers and other creatives to develop new work for audiences young and old.
My approach is always collaborative and super playful.
I make work that’s visual, physical and often led by text.
Devising processes excite me, as do experimental approaches.
I love staging non-linear, abstract and multi-location material.
My work spans across youth, professional and community contexts.
I’ve highlighted a few projects below that give an insight into my work and approach, and will be adding more as I go. If you’d like to find out more, contact me via hello@jordanblackwood.co.uk.
Treasure Island by Ross Mackay, director
Scottish Theatre Producers, Scottish Tour
Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
Thanks to Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund, writer Ross MacKay and I revisited Treasure Island (see the original production below) for a Scottish tour in Autumn 2024. Working with set designer Becky Minto, we explored how we might root the story in a child’s bedroom and only use objects you would find in it as we went on the journey across the sea to Treasure Island. Leaning into the power of imagination, we created a show that we hope inspired young people to leave the theatre, go home and create their own adventure in their bedroom.
“★★★★... a passionate and touching take on Stevenson’s famous story...”
“★★★★... There’s a lot to love for both adults and children in this beautiful show...”
The Scaff by Graeme Smith and Christopher Stephen, director
A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Oran Mor, Traverse Theatre and Lemon Tree
Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
I had a brilliant time working on my first A Play, A Pie and A Pint with this hilarious, fast-paced show about friendship and football. Working with a great team, we embraced a physical approach and had a lot of fun bringing football matches to life on a small stage. The show took us back to the 90s with a Brit pop soundtrack and costumes to match.
“‘★★★★★ ...Director Jordan Blackwood successfully harnesses the energy of the young cast – Edgar, outstanding in the recent Battery Park, and Keachie are still students at the Royal Conservatoire. He also matches the play’s spirit, with the ever-tricky business of football on stage done fluidly and almost balletically.”
“★★★★ ...Nostalgia is the solid thread throughout The Scaff, and Blackwood’s direction of the stage nails the late nineties ‘fuzz’ all around.”
Antigone by Sophocles, director
Perth Youth Theatre, Perth Theatre
Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
I was invited to direct Sophocles’ Antigone with a young company at Perth Theatre. Working with a highly collaborative team (designer Jen McGinley, composer Bethany Tennick, movement director Genna Allan and lighting designer Cameron Squires among others) we developed the concept with the young people and empowered them to inform key decisions throughout the process. This cast of 12-18 year olds were truly professional in all senses - together we created a passionate, mature and visceral performance that we were all incredibly proud of.
Treasure Island by Ross Mackay, director
Visible Fictions & Cumbernauld Theatre, Mainstage Festive Show
Photo credit: Mihaeala Bodlovic
Working collaboratively with writer Ross Mackay to develop concept and vision, my approach was very fluid and playful. Responding to the text shifting between a young boy’s bedroom and the world of Treasure Island throughout, we created a convention that allowed us to ‘zoom’ in and out of different moments. The eventual set became a playground for the performers with live music and world-building sound design being a storyteller in itself.
“★★★★ ...Blackwood’s brisk direction...”
“★★★★★ ...Treasure Island is a year-round tale while benefits from the whimsy of the time of year. And that’s precisely the process Jordan Blackwood’s direction follows – that this tale could be shared at any moment...”
One Foot In Front Of The Other by Daniel Cameron, director/creator
Renfrewshire Arts funded by Future Paisley, Short Film
Mid-pandemic, I was commissioned to deliver Secret Paisley - a project inviting locals to get outside and share hidden parts of Paisley, culminating in a short film inspired by their responses. Co-created with writer Daniel Cameron, One Foot In Front Of The Other was born from the idea of appreciating what’s on your doorstep.
Shattered by Lisa Nicoll, director
In Motion Theatre Company, Scottish Tour
Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
Embracing the transient nature of the text, I worked collaboratively with set designer Fraser Lappin to create a space that evolved with the narrative. Finding striking images to book-end scenes and developing a physical language that allowed us to move between locations was key to my vision.
“★★★★ ...a memorably cool and stylish production by director Jordan Blackwood and designer Fraser Lappin...”
“Jordan Blackwood’s elliptical production takes this simmering everyday crisis and... creates a slow-burning meditation on grieving, healing and the surprising comfort of strangers.”
Success by Nick Drake, director
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Mainstage Participatory Project
Photo credit: Ryan Buchanan
Working with a large ensemble cast, I wanted to create a piece that exposed the young performers to a visual way of telling stories - revolving around the notion of marking every key moment with a clear cut image. Playing with shadow, manipulating objects to serve different purposes and exploring our relationship to a giant revolving frame led us to an exciting eventual piece.