I direct plays, musical theatre, and opera. I’m based in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

I work on projects at range of scales, creating processes that support actors and acting. I’m into words, dramaturgy and playfulness, and my work usually involves music and song as central to the storytelling.

Theatre-making should be rooted in inclusion and collaboration. I seek to cultivate healthy, positive, celebratory creative environments, where all are respected and empowered with freedom and agency to do their best work.

Alongside my directing, I also sometimes work as a lyricist, a composer, and as a dramaturg in the development of new work. I’m a part-time Lecturer for the Musical Theatre department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. (Currently I’m module co-ordinator for BAMT2 Projects and BAMT3 New Musical Development, and lead for season programming and casting processes).

CURRENT PROJECTS

ALADDIE

a family pantomime, by Fraser Boyle, for Gaiety Theatre, Ayr. 29 November - 4 January 2026. https://thegaiety.co.uk/events/aladdie/

AMÉLIE

actor-musician production, for BA Musical Theatre in the Athenaeum Theatre, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, March 2026

PRESS

‘brilliantly directed by Tom Cooper’

- corrblimey.co.uk Armour: a herstory of the Scottish Bard, Òran Mór / Traverse

‘this is musical theatre that is challenging, compelling and compulsive… astonishing intelligence and physicality… one of the most rewarding experiences you can have’

- Mark Shenton, The Stage Myths and Hymns UK premiere, Finborough Theatre, London

‘the best joy ride ever. Each musical number is a story within a story, fantastical in its unique creativity, simply brimming with ideas…. Director Tom Cooper leads his company with aplomb’

- musicaltheatrereview Big Fish RCS MAMT at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

‘fantastic… the musical’s abundant comedy works at every turn… bravo director Tom Cooper’

- thequintessentialreview A Little Night Music RCS MAMT at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

‘Tom Cooper’s remarkable production’

- Times Literary Supplement A Day by the Sea Finborough Theatre, London

‘director Tom Cooper worked wonders… seriously high mischief’

- bachtrack Gianni Schicchi Opera Bohemia, Scottish tour

‘makes it argument with warmth and subtlety… a company that demands to be taken seriously’

- Mark Brown, The Scotsman Part of the Picture Pleasance, Edinburgh

‘expertly nuanced performances… beautiful, intelligent, moving’

- Financial Times The Trojan Women Edinburgh Fringe

‘a first-rate production’

- Lancashire Evening Post La Traviata Heritage Opera