Anna Simpson Email & Phone Number

Arnotts, Dublin

My responsibilities include welcoming all customers entering the concession with warmth and authenticity, and providing both our new and returning customers with the highest customer service to properly reflect the luxury brand that is Kurt Geiger. I process and track sales, and ensure cash reconciliation at close of business. I adhere to, and promote, health and safety training for myself and others, as well as adhere to GDPR regulations when taking customer details and processing their orders.

Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland And Dublin, Ireland

Quintessence Theatre was founded in 2015 and was the inaugural Company in Residence of An Tain Arts Centre, Dundalk, until 2019. We are now in residence with Droichead in Drogehda until May 2020, supported by the Arts Council, Ireland.Productions include: my own adaptation of Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'​ (Tain Theatre); my own site-specific, promenade, interactive adaptation of 'Alice in Wonderland'​ (Anaverna House), 'Vessel', a new devised piece exploring issues of right to… Show more Quintessence Theatre was founded in 2015 and was the inaugural Company in Residence of An Tain Arts Centre, Dundalk, until 2019. We are now in residence with Droichead in Drogehda until May 2020, supported by the Arts Council, Ireland.Productions include: my own adaptation of Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'​ (Tain Theatre); my own site-specific, promenade, interactive adaptation of 'Alice in Wonderland'​ (Anaverna House), 'Vessel', a new devised piece exploring issues of right to life, bodily autonomy and abortion in Ireland (Tain Theatre and New Theatre, Dublin); 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Hamlet' produced in rep for the 2016 400 year anniversary of Shakespeare's death (Tain Theatre); 'Pink Planet' (Smock Alley, Dublin); my own site-specific, promenade adaptation of 'The Wind in the Willows' (Anaverna House), 'Romeo and Juliet' (An Tain), 'Some of Our Children' (An Tain), and 'Cracks', a devised, semi-autobiographical new play exploring depression and suicide, which premiered in October 2016 at the Tain and was since been revived for a national tour of Ireland, Republic and across the border in autumn 2018; 'The Star of Chester's Lane' (Droichead, winner of the Drogehda Arts Festival Commission 2018), 'The Deadly Wizard of Oz', my own adaptation of 'Dracula' (Smock Alley, Dublin), 'Warrior of the Tain', and experimental movement piece and work in development 'Boy, Girl, Repeat'. Show less

County Dublin, Ireland

Responsibilities included: Assisting customers in finding the ideal products for them by engaging customers in authentic, friendly conversation to build rapport and naturally and effortlessly gain an accurate assessment of their tastes and needs so I could best advise them. I would make use of the computerised tills as part of processing and tracking sales of different products. I would continuously ensuring the display standards are met – shelves and rails are clean, products are displayed and… Show more Responsibilities included: Assisting customers in finding the ideal products for them by engaging customers in authentic, friendly conversation to build rapport and naturally and effortlessly gain an accurate assessment of their tastes and needs so I could best advise them. I would make use of the computerised tills as part of processing and tracking sales of different products. I would continuously ensuring the display standards are met – shelves and rails are clean, products are displayed and hung correctly etc. Show less

London, United Kingdom

I acted as support staff in various primary schools across London as a classroom teaching assistant, specialising in one-on-one support for students with challenging special needs, in particular autism.

London And Edinburgh

As a Creative Associate part of the Pleasance Futures Programme I have directed 2 productions of Ex-YP graduate company Incognito's:

My own adaptation and physical ensemble take on Oscar Wilde's gothic classic 'Dorian Gray'​ for Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015

Reviews:
***** “A theatrical masterpiece” – EdFest Magazine
**** “A striking performance with impressive ensemble work” – British Theatre Guide
**** “Stylish and clever direction…with razor-sharp physicality” - ScotsGay
**** “Striking visuals…imbue scenes with a dash of Gothic Flair” – The Skinny
**** “A stylish, highly enjoyable take on Dorian Gray... Credit must go to director Anna Louise Simpson whose vision is behind the production"​ – Broadway Baby


Incognito's debut production: physical ensemble version of Gogol's 'Government Inspector' for Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014 as part of the Pleasance 30th anniversary celebrations.

Review excerpts:

***** “a striking production skilfully directed by Anna Simpson…I left the theatre wanting more” – British Theatre Guide

**** “Wild and witty…uses Total Theatre and farce to staggering affect” – Broadway Baby

“Spectacular…inspired…a triumph…one of the most exciting productions of the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival” – Huffington Post

Greater New York City Area

Direct 3 selected plays for young actors over 9 weeks, in addition to teaching workshops in areas of expertise, including: Physical acting, Introduction to Mask, Creating the Ensemble, Shakespeare and Building a Character.

London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

Responsibilties included: Assisting customers in finding the ideal products for them. Highest quality of customer service was required as representing the luxury branch of a high-end designer high street brand: engaging customers in authentic friendly conversation to build rapport and naturally and effortlessly gain an accurate assessment of their tastes and needs so I could best advise and style them. I often created complete bespoke looks and outfit combinations for individual customers… Show more Responsibilties included: Assisting customers in finding the ideal products for them. Highest quality of customer service was required as representing the luxury branch of a high-end designer high street brand: engaging customers in authentic friendly conversation to build rapport and naturally and effortlessly gain an accurate assessment of their tastes and needs so I could best advise and style them. I often created complete bespoke looks and outfit combinations for individual customers. Additionally I would assess if suits require any additional tailoring, pinning and arranging this if required. I would make use of the computerised tills as part of tracking sales of different products, and stock taking. I would continuously ensuring the display standards are met – shelves and rails are clean, products are displayed and hung correctly etc. Show less

Responsibilities included:• Working with the Director of Drama to plan artistic vision for the year and then selecting, writing/adapting and directing productions suitable for large ensemble casts for all different year groups across the school (3 main plays per year – lower, middle and upper school, pupils aged 11-18) with an eye to balancing inclusivity with artistic vision and merit to develop students’ abilities. Productions included: 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', 'Animal… Show more Responsibilities included:• Working with the Director of Drama to plan artistic vision for the year and then selecting, writing/adapting and directing productions suitable for large ensemble casts for all different year groups across the school (3 main plays per year – lower, middle and upper school, pupils aged 11-18) with an eye to balancing inclusivity with artistic vision and merit to develop students’ abilities. Productions included: 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', 'Animal Farm', 'The Rainbow Fish, 'Amadeus' and 'Grimm Tales'• Planning and leading regular extra-curricular drama activities, including: house drama competitions (8 different houses, 3 competitions per year), lower school drama club (weekly), one-off drama workshops particularly in my areas of expertise (physical theatre, mime, mask etc.)• Offering directorial advice and ideas for AS and A-level practical drama exam pieces and supervising rehearsals, as well as devising and leading workshops to supplement their curriculum• Advising and coaching students interested in applying to drama schools with their monologues and audition technique as well as Coaching and tutoring students for LAMDA examinations• Devising and leading a once-weekly drama based Liberal Studies course – this year based on Gaulier’s principles of ‘Le Jeu’• Running the National Theatre New Views Playwriting course: liaising with the theatre and delivering playwriting tutorials devised by writers at the National to allow students to write own 1 act 30 min plays for competition submission• General departmental support and assistance – assisting in lessons, lesson cover, acting as assistant director, assisting with stage management/costumes/props in large-scale school productions I was not immediately in charge of, assisting in supervision and planning of school theatre visits, taking notes in department meetings, doing Front of House, ushering and Bar Duty when productions were on, general admin tasks as they arose Show less

Tangled Thread's debut play 'Close to You' premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013 to 4/5* reviews before transferring for a short sell out run at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin (Nov 2013), Southwark Playhouse, London (March 2014) and then Brighton Fringe (May 2014). It also played in several schools in London to raise awareness around issues of eating disorders.

Review excerpts:

***** "Powerful, moving and very raw" - Three Weeks

***** "Breathtaking...be prepared for a rollercoaster ride" - Edinburgh Guide

**** "Spellbinding...this production is outstanding" - EdFringe Review

*** “Original and finely constructed” - Scotsman

Productions include:

'Disco Pigs' (Alma Tavern, Bristol, May 2012; the Brewery Theatre, Bristol, July 2012; Tristan Bates, London, September 2012)

'Romeo & Juliet' (Pleasance, Islington, April-May 2014)

Review excerpts:

***** “[A] brilliant play, superbly staged and directed by Anna Simpson and performed with a passion that’s moving to watch…if Pig and Runt come anywhere near you, seek ‘em out – and bring a crash helmet” - Venue

**** “The perfect equilibrium of comedy and tragedy” – Bristol Theatre Review

**** “…dynamic…inventive…worth keeping an eye out for” – One Stop Arts

“Anna Simpson’s bold direction creates an entire world purely by physicality…and what a twisted world it is” – Bristol 247

“An explosion of noise, colour and animalistic vitality…this exciting new company will be an integral part of London’s future” – A Younger Theatre

Daventry, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom

Responsibilities included:Liaising, building, and nurturing business relationships with contact estate agents in order to gain leads of potential clients (those buying/selling property);Contacting those leads by telephone, succinctly describing our legal services & providing a personalized quotation of those services, building enough rapport to persuade them to make use of our services;Logging new clients details into the system;Liaising with the legal department as to paperwork… Show more Responsibilities included:Liaising, building, and nurturing business relationships with contact estate agents in order to gain leads of potential clients (those buying/selling property);Contacting those leads by telephone, succinctly describing our legal services & providing a personalized quotation of those services, building enough rapport to persuade them to make use of our services;Logging new clients details into the system;Liaising with the legal department as to paperwork of current and potential clients;Following up missing paperwork with current clients Show less

County Dublin, Ireland

Responsibilities included:Researching and writing pitches for current charity project; Engaging members of the public in spontaneous conversation, building trust, rapport and interest whilst imparting information about current charity project, and ultimately persuading them to commit to a monthly Direct Debit donation to project; Ensuring all Donor’s personal details are collected, processed correctly and kept secure and confidential at all times

Dublin, Ireland

Adapted and directed outdoor, site-specific, promenade productions using physical approaches. Credits include 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (Anaverna, Dundalk, Co. Louth); a masked, devised adaptation of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' (Anaverna); 'MacBeth' (The Tain Theatre, Dundalk) and 'Alice in Wonderland' (Anaverna, and Electric Picnic Festival, Co. Laois). Also ran physical theatre workshops in schools and special needs groups on behalf of Louth Arts Council.

Master Of Arts (Ma), Drama Directing

As a trainee director Anna worked on a many diverse projects, both as a director and assistant director. Assistant credits include Sunny.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Psychology, 2:1

Activities and Societies: UCD Dramsoc: Workshops Manager, actor and award-winning director nationally and internationally. Credits.

Education record