LAURA J HARRIS

Writer | Director | Actor |Theatre Maker

I am a director, educator, artist, and storyteller with a deep commitment to theatre and live performance.

For over a decade, I’ve led The Boaty Theatre Company, nurturing and guiding young talent from Ellesmere Port to perform on prestigious stages, including The Sheffield Crucible, The Lowry, and The National Theatre.

Beyond directing, I am passionate about empower creatives through UK-wide workshops in developing New Writing, embracing Shakespeare, reimagining Classic Works and collaborating with national and international partners to deliver engaging experiences that ignite minds, fuel conversations and shape artistic passion.

I live with a number of heart conditions and autoimmune diseases and understand how resilience and creativity go hand in hand. Overcoming challenges has shaped my work and proved to me time and again that vulnerability is a powerful source of artistic fire.

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Why Do I Write?

I write simply because I love it!

There’s magic in getting lost in the words and worlds you create, listening to characters as they whisper their stories, and letting them guide you along the river of creation. Writing is both my passion and my joy.

I adore the research that comes with storytelling, often losing myself for hours—or days—uncovering new layers to enrich my work. I’m especially drawn to giving a voice to those whose stories have been overlooked or erased. I’m passionate about exploring women’s history and uncovering queer narratives that have been hidden for too long. As a proud member of the LGBTQI+ community, I strive to bring queer-centric, character-driven stories to the forefront, creating compelling tales for readers like my younger self who longed for such representation.

Influences

I’m inspired by authors like Madeline Miller, Pat Barker, Jennifer Saint, and Natalie Haynes, who skillfully uncover and promote the untold her-stories of ancient texts. My shelves are also filled with the gripping works of Ben Kane, Jodi Taylor (St Mary’s and Time Police), and novelised Shakespearean adaptations by David Hewitt, AJ Hartley, and Howard Jacobson.

To these writers—some I’ve had the joy of meeting, others I only know through their words—thank you for the lessons you’ve shared and the inspiration you’ve sparked.