Photo by Topher McGrillis

Creating work with and for young people and families is my passion. Working with companies such as The National Theatre, New Writing North, Unfolding Theatre, Kitchen Zoo, bait and Woodhorn Museum, Greenfield Arts, Open Clasp, Creative Cocoon and many more organisations has given me the opportunity to push and challenge myself. Often working in traditionally non-theatrical spaces, indoor or outdoor, I love building worlds in unexpected places.

The Winter's Tale, National Theatre. Adapted by Justin Audibert, Directed by Ruth Mary Johnson, Musical Direction by Jonathan Girling, Design by Lucy Sierra, Sound Design by Mike Winship, Lighting by Paul Knott, Movement by Lucy Cullingford and Maria Clarke. Photo by Ellie Kurttz www.elliekurttz.com

​Pricks' by Jade Byrne in association with Little Mighty. Directed with Annie Rigby, Design by Alison Ashton, Sound Design by Nick John Williams, Movement by Catherine Muckle, Lighting by Victoria Copeland.
Image by Rob Irish.

'The Tin Foil Astronaut'. Co-written and devised by Kitchen Zoo with Director, Ruth Mary Johnson, Musician, Jeremy Bradfield and Designed by Alison Ashton. Puppet design and creation by Ailsa Dalling.

Macbeth Schools Tour for the National Theatre. Assistant Director to Director Justin Audibert, Designed by Lucy Sierra, Music composed by Jonathan Girling (Oct-Dec 2017)

'Do Not Enter The Monster Zoo', New Writing North (2017), Adapted by Stacey Sampson, Designed by Andrew Stephenson. Cast: Rachel Gay, Calum Howard, Joe Johnston and Zoe Lambert (Photo by Sophie Teasdale).

The Owl and the Pussycat', Kitchen Zoo (2017), Director and Co-Creator Ruth Mary Johnson. Designed by Alison Ashton, Music by Jeremy Bradfield (Photo by Jonathan Ackley)

'Man on the Moon', New Writing North (2015), Adapted from the book by Simon Bartram by Zoe Cooper, Designed by Simon Henderson and Directed by Ruth Mary Johnson. (Photo by Topher McGrillis)

Northern Stage - Director of numerous participation projects including Big and Small, Truce and Summer School. (Photo by Sophie Teasdale)

'Hey, Presto!', New Writing North (2016), Adapted from the book by Nadia Shireen by Laura Lindow, Designed by Imogen Cloet, Directed by Ruth Mary Johnson. (Photo by Topher McGrillis)

'The Worst Princess', New Writing North (2014). Adapted from the book by Sarah Kemp and Sara Ogilvie by Carina Rodney, Designed by Andrew Stephenson and Directed by me. (Photo by Topher McGrillis)

'Mr Doom and Mrs Bloom's Story Emporium', Luxi (2014), Directed and created with Carl Kennedy and Zoe Lambert. Photo by Richard Kenworthy.

'The Friendly Dragon and the Tiny Bird', Creative Cocoon at Alnwick Playhouse. Director and performer. Design by Pippa Willitts, Projection by Ruari Hardman. (2017)

'The Frost of Forgetfulness', commissioned by bait and Woodhorn Charitable Trust, Designed by Bethan Maddocks, Co-Directed with Unfolding Theatre. Finalist for Journal Culture Awards 2017. (Photo by Richard Kenworthy)

Juice Parade as part of 'Juice Festival' (2013), Co-directed for Unfolding Theatre and developed with pupils from Thomas Bewick School and Cedar Grove. Photo by Richard Kenworthy.

'Cutting Loose', Greenfield Arts (2014), Co-directed for Unfolding Theatre and developed through working with community and school groups.

"Ruth is a passionate and talented artist. Her clarity of vision, dramaturgical skill and directional insight has led us to employ her extensively. She has been the lynchpin of our touring work, an artistic leader instilling passion and commitment into those who work with her, and also ensuring every element of the project has her equal and undivided attention. She is bursting with ideas but also thinks clearly and with a problem-solving approach. She is definitely an artist to watch." Anna Disley, Executive Director, Programme and Impact, New Writing North



"It’s hard to think of a theatre-maker with more energy, creative spark and commitment than Ruth. She has co-directed a number of Unfolding Theatre’s large-scale projects, including Frost of Forgetfulness at Woodhorn and Juice Festival Finale Parade. We love the magic, fun and spirit of adventure she brings to everything she works on." - Annie Rigby, Artistic Director of Unfolding Theatre.


"Ruth brings a real energy and joy to the rehearsal room. Her skills and experience in creating work for young audiences helped shape the final performance to excite, surprise and still be considerate to its audience. Ruth confidently leads a rehearsal room through play and structure whilst having the flexibility to respond to new ideas and challenges." Kitchen Zoo

Some examples reviews:
http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/hey-presto-jubilee-hall-w-13548
http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/the-owl-and-the-gala-theatre-st-14190
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2015/man-on-the-moon/
https://www.livingnorth.com/yorkshire/arts-whats/theatre-review-man-moon
https://www.livingnorth.com/northeast/arts-whats/theatre-review-worst-princess

Some video examples of my work (other films to follow): www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhJhdfYaqtA
Cutting Loose, Greenfield Arts, film by Capture Films https://vimeo.com/103370403