Who is Jake Orr?

I’m a Nottingham based Producer.
A culture-changer, creating a shift in society.

My work in the arts is fuelled by the belief that we can change society through culture. Does society need to be changed, I hear you ask? I believe it does. I want the arts to be a vital lifeline as that of the NHS, libraries, post offices and doctor surgeries.

My core values when making art are; compassion, transparency, kindness and fun. This is how I make art, and it runs through everything I do on a day-to-day. Its good to know what your core values are, it keeps you focused and gives you a mantra to turn to when the theatre industry throws its worst at you. You can read further about this in my Producing Manifesto.


Jake Orr is a Producer

In 2023 I founded JOP Arts, a Midlands based producing company supporting artists and organisations based across the Midlands. I am also the Associate Producer at Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham. Before JOP Arts I was the Creative Producer with HOME Slough, a Creative People and Places project funded by Arts Council England. I have previously been Executive Producer with Le Gateau Chocolat and the Producer of Nottingham Playhouse, a 750 seat theatre in the heart of Nottingham city. I joined the Nottingham Playhouse team in October 2019 following two years of producing at the new writing venue Theatre503 in London.

In 2019 I launched Jake Orr Productions (JOP), as a company to bring together my freelance producing. The inaugural production was Pops by Charlotte Josephine in a co-production with HighTide and Live Theatre. Through JOP I am actively developing new work.

You can have a look at some of the other productions I have produced in a freelance capacity on the Portfolio page, including the award-winning BLUSH by Charlotte Josephine and No Miracles Here by The Letter Room. I’ve produced everything from festivals, site-specific circus, national tours and more.


Jake is Artistically Driven

After ten years as the Artistic Director of A Younger Theatre, I passed on the reigns of the company that supports young emerging creatives to have their voices and work heard. It was an honour to be the founder of the company and to lead its work for so many years, supporting hundreds of young people in developing their creativity.

For six years I co-directed and produced Incoming Festival with Eleanor Turney and David Byrne of New Diorama Theatre. The festival continues today and presents the best emerging theatre companies across the UK through its festival that tours to London, Manchester and Bristol.


A Culture-Changer

I am a culture-changer, and this starts with providing space and time for developing those that need the support in the industry. Whether that is founding the UK Theatre Producer’s Facebook group, offering mentoring sessions or teaching at drama schools and at ITC, finding time to share is vital to me.

a supportive, caring mentor that gives people new to the theatre industry the opportunity they so desperately need

Miro Magazine

I’m also good at writing funding applications and regularly lead workshops at conferences or events. I can deliver a pretty decent speech when required, too. So maybe you’ll want to hire me to act as a culture-changer in your place of work?

Feel free to email me hello[at]jakeorr.co.uk or tweet me @jakeyoh if you have questions or want to find out more. Take a look at some of the work I’ve done.