I’m a stage director.

I direct plays, musical theatre, and opera. I’m based in Scotland, UK.

I’m into words, dramaturgy and playfulness, and my work usually involves music and song as key parts of the storytelling. I work on projects at range of scales, creating processes that support actors and acting.

Inclusion lies at the root of my work. As a leader in both artistic and operational contexts, I cultivate healthy, safe & respectful creative environments, seeking to empower the people I’m working with.

Alongside my freelance work, I’m a part-time faculty member for the Musical Theatre department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

‘brilliantly directed by Tom Cooper’ - corrblimey.co.uk (Armour: a herstory of the Scottish Bard)

‘the best joy ride ever. Each musical number is a story within a story, fantastical in its unique creativity, simply brimming with ideas…. Director Tom Cooper leads his company with aplomb’ - musicaltheatrereview (Big Fish)

‘fantastic… the musical’s abundant comedy works at every turn… bravo director Tom Cooper’ - thequintessentialreview (A Little Night Music)a

‘director Tom Cooper worked wonders… seriously high mischief’ - bachtrack (Gianni Schicchi)

‘Tom Cooper’s remarkable production’ - Times Literary Supplement (A Day by the Sea)

‘this is musical theatre that is challenging, compelling and compulsive’ - The Stage (Myths and Hymns)

‘a company that demands to be taken seriously’ - The Scotsman (Part of the Picture)

‘a first-rate production’ - Lancashire Evening Post (La Traviata)

‘expertly nuanced performances… beautiful, intelligent, moving’ - Financial Times (The Trojan Women)

FORTHCOMING

November 2025: Aladdie, a family pantomime, for Gaiety Theatre, Ayr

March 2026: Amelie, actor-muso production for Royal Conservatoire of Scotland BA Musical Theatre