About

ABOUT ME

I’m an actor, director and poet from Portsmouth, now based in South London. I trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.

I work across screen, theatre, poetry and live performance - and I’m currently filming an upcoming Amazon series. My screen credits also include Extraordinary (Disney+), Diet Phantasma (from V/H/S Halloween), and a range of independent short films. I also turn up in commercials now and then, most recently for Corsodyl and Premier Inn - keeping it glamorous in the most practical way possible.

Alongside screen work, I’ve spent a lot of time in theatre, with a particular love of Shakespeare, new writing, and work that can make you laugh and then quietly undo you afterwards.

MAKING WORK

I’m also a director, writer and producer, and I’m especially drawn to new writing - the early, messy, exciting stage where no one quite knows what it is yet (which is my favourite bit).

I’ve directed new writing showcases at the Bread & Roses Theatre, and Ghost Town by Will Croft at the Bridge House Theatre. I also founded Anthroplay Theatre, a performance company making theatre, live art and interdisciplinary work, including Anthrotalks - a regular variety night at the Two Brewers featuring poetry, drag, music and comedy.

I’m really interested in queer performance, cabaret energy, and theatre that doesn’t sit still in one genre or behave too politely.

I also write poetry, which has been published by Lucy Writers, Beardance Theatre and SLAMminutes.

CREATIVE FACILITATION

Alongside performance and directing, I work as a creative facilitator, leading workshops in storytelling, drama, movement, voice, art and live singing.

I work with adults with learning disabilities and autism, as well as people living with dementia and older adults in care settings. Alongside group workshops, I also support more one-to-one creative and companionship-based work - including activities like arts and crafts, painting nails, music, and going out into the community.

I’m interested in care that is creative, relational and responsive - where the work can be playful, calming, expressive, or simply about shared time and presence, depending on what’s needed.

Alongside this practice, I am developing Creative Companions - a new approach to creative, arts-based companionship and support, focused on one-to-one and small group creative wellbeing work.

At its core, I’m interested in how creativity can support connection, confidence and joy in everyday life.

WHAT I’M DRAWN TO

I’m drawn to work that feels alive, inclusive and slightly uncontainable.

Especially:

new writing and early-stage ideas
Shakespeare (always - for the language, the chaos, and the emotional devastation)
actor-led and collaborative theatre
queer work, cabaret and drag performance
female-led projects and stories
theatre that makes you laugh and then hits you emotionally when you’re not expecting it
work centred on real people, not polished versions of them
helping people get their ideas off the ground, even if they feel half-formed or “not ready yet”

I like being in rooms where things are still becoming what they are.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

I love collaborating - whether that’s in theatre, screen, poetry or live performance. I’ve spent a lot of time making theatre in different ways, and I’m always excited by new ideas, new people, and new ways of working.

If you’ve got a project, an idea, or something you’re starting to shape, I’d love to hear from you.

✉️ Say hello: annamckelviejohnston@gmail.com

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