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.

I seek to build positive and collaborative creative environments, where our differences are celebrated, and all feel empowered to do their best work.

I’m also 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

AMÉLIE

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, actor-musician production for BA Musical Theatre in the Athenaeum Theatre, 17-20 March 2026 https://www.rcs.ac.uk/whats-on/amelie/

DICK WHITTINGTON

Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, a family pantomime by Fraser Boyle, November 2026 - January 2027

https://thegaiety.co.uk/events/dick-whittington-a-scottish-pirate-pantomime/

PRESS

‘a riotously clever and entertaining 60-minute musical’ - The Scotsman, The Glasgow Poisoner, Òran Mór / OneRen / Ayr Gaiety (as composer, co-lyricist and co-director)

‘a gritty and thrilling new Scottish musical’ - Broadwayworld.com, The Glasgow Poisoner

‘Tom Cooper’s production is a pleasing combination of tradition and originality… full of generous laughs… a merry ensemble show ’ - The Guardian, Aladdie, Ayr Gaiety

‘brilliantly directed by Tom Cooper’ - corrblimey.co.uk Armour: a herstory of the Scottish Bard, Òran Mór / Traverse

‘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

‘director Tom Cooper worked wonders… seriously high mischief’ - bachtrack Gianni Schicchi Opera Bohemia, Scottish tour

‘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

‘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

‘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

‘Tom Cooper’s remarkable production’ - Times Literary Supplement A Day by the Sea Finborough Theatre, London

‘expertly nuanced performances… beautiful, intelligent, moving’ - Financial Times The Trojan Women Edinburgh Fringe

‘a first-rate production’ - Lancashire Evening Post La Traviata Heritage Opera