Snapshot.
I work with writers and other creatives to develop new work.
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
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.