MY NAME IS TRISTAN JACKSON-PATE AND I AM A THEATRE MAKER
I trained initially as an actor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and now I find the most joy in creating professional theatre with and for young people.
Since 2015, I’ve been Artistic Director of the award-winning People’s Theatre Collective in Oxfordshire. I’ve also worked in a freelance capacity with wonderful organisations like Creation Theatre, Oxford Playhouse and The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.
I’m an Associate Artist at Royal & Derngate, Northampton, a past Associate at the Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham and a Mentor Director for National Theatre Connections in 2025.
During ten years as a writer, director and practitioner, I’ve written nine plays, a short film, and facilitated inclusive community arts projects in devised theatre, creative writing and music composition with diverse participants.
I aim to create inclusive spaces that empower young people to discover their potential no matter their background. A drive to reduce inequality and champion fairer opportunities underpins my work in theatre and with Sophie's Silver Lining Fund.
If you’re interested in collaborating, check out what these kind people say about working with me, then drop me an email!
CURRENT & RECENT PROJECTS
CINDERELLA ICE CREAM SELLER (DIRECTOR)
A NEW MUSICAL FOR FAMILIES BY DAVD GIBB, PRODUCED BY LITTLE SEEDS
THE STORY MUSEUM OXFORD, DECEMBER 2024
UK TOUR, FEBRUARY-MAY 2025, EDINBURGH FRINGE, JULY-AUGUST 2025
NT CONNECTIONS 2025 (MENTOR DIRECTOR)
SUPPORTING DIRECTORS AND PRACTITIONERS THROUGHOUT THE NATIONAL THEATRE CONNECTIONS FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 2024 - MAY 2025
ALL OF THEM, DEAD (DRAMATURG)
A NEW PLAY BY THOM MUNDEN ABOUT BEING YOUNG AND GAY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
EVERYBODY PANIC IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PEGASUS THEATRE, EVERYMAN THEATRE CHELTENHAM, PRIME THEATRE, OXFORD PLAYHOUSE
ARTS COUNCIL FUNDED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FEBRUARY-JUNE 2025
REMEMBER ME (DIRECTOR)
A FAMILY DRAMA ABOUT LIVING WELL WITH DEMENTIA BY LEKHA DESAI MORRISON
KEY THEATRE, PETERBOROUGH & OLD FIRE STATION, OXFORD, MARCH 2025
A HOME FOR HARMONY (DIRECTOR/DRAMATURG)
A MUSICAL PLAY FOR EARLY YEARS, BY RENATA ALLEN WITH SONGS BY JOSHUA BALDWIN
PRODUCED BY PEOPLE’S THEATRE COLLECTIVE
UK TOUR JULY-AUGUST 2024
STORY SEEKERS (WRITER)
A NEW MUSICAL STORYTELLING PLAY FOR FAMILIES
COMMISSIONED BY OXFORD PLAYHOUSE
OXFORDSHIRE TOUR, SUMMER 2024, DIRECTED BY AMELIA THORNBER
WRITER’S GROUPS
I currently facilitate two welcoming and supportive creative writing groups, both open to new members.
As a youth and community arts facilitator with over a decade of experience, I’ve led everything from youth theatres and adult acting workshops to music programmes and long-form, multi-artform projects, including co-created plays and community festivals.
I’ve developed Continuing Professional Development drama training for schools, collaborated with academics on specialist theatre projects, and taught on the Acting for Stage and Screen course at the University of Northampton (2014–2022).
If you’re interested in working together or starting a new collaboration, I’d love to hear from you.
PEOPLE’S THEATRE COLLECTIVE 2023-PRESENT
ARTS UPLIFT 2024-PRESENT
TESTIMONIALS
These very kind people have worked with me and said these nice things (because I asked them nicely to)…
“When I moved on from my position as Artistic Director of People’s Theatre Collective, Tristan had my full support in his application and was the favourite candidate of the board of trustees. He has since successfully written, directed and initiated several productions for the company, proving his versatility, hard-working ethos and pragmatic artistic vision. As a director Tristan is methodical and imaginative, fast thinking, open to ideas and yet decisive. He works with commitment to the production and inspires others to follow his example.”
“As a theatre maker and youth practitioner, Tristan brings a wealth of passion and knowledge to every project. He is inclusive in his practice and ensures every young person can take part, play to their strengths and feel part of a team. His ideas are inventive, broad and truly consider the needs and desires of the community he works with and presents work to.”
“Tristan has worked with Arts Uplift CIC for many years as a freelance music and creative writing facilitator. He is an excellent facilitator- knowledgeable, warm, enthusiastic and friendly and people really connect and respond positively to him. He is also such a lovely person to work with and always reliable.”