Vanessa Faye Stanley

About Vanessa-FAYE

Vanessa-Faye is English and French, with mixed-heritage Creole roots. She grew up in multicultural London and buried her nose in serious texts for a degree and MA in Shakespeare. A neurodivergent artist, she then followed her nose to study clown and physical theatre at the International School of Jacques Lecoq. 
Approaching theatre from these seemingly opposite disciplines, she saw that text and choreography, the playful and the profound, tears and laughter should not be kept apart. She directs, writes and makes theatre, film, stories, music and performance… anything which brings audiences together.

As a writer-performer, VF has worked with wonderfully creative theatre companies such as Kneehigh/Wise Children, Theatre-O, Punchdrunk/Gideon Reeling, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Wrestling School, Rotozaza, BBC and The National Theatre. She has created and directed award-winning films and projects, both with her theatre company, Boileroom, and as a freelancer.

"I have worked with Vanessa over the last year and been thoroughly impressed by her attention to detail and creative tenacity. Both in her film and theatre work she has an eye for talent, stylish storytelling and audience engagement and I’m keen to see her develop these skills more for film-making where possible. We need more female talent of this quality on UK film.”

Brek Taylor (Head of Film, Creative England)

"Vanessa ensured the work was flexible and responsive to the ensemble and the research nature of the project. As a Director I found it inspirational and thought provoking."

Yvonne Murphy (producer, director,  Omidaze Productions)

Vanessa’s input as a writer and director was invaluable in helping me shape the characters that I had written. She gave me the confidence to continue developing the characters and take them to the next level.  She is an excellent director with endless drive, a great team spirit with a super eye for detail and nuances within characters, music and tone within a piece of theatre or performance. I would recommend her without hesitation for any project.”

David McCusker (performer, writer, Captain Pancake)

Vanessa’s example to the students of her attitude, commitment and professionalism was exemplary. Her excellent direction and support to our students culminated in great performances, enjoyed by a number of audiences over the production week. I have no hesitation in recommending Vanessa-Faye and am looking forward to working with her again in the near future.”

Chris Burdett (University of Northampton, Programme Leader BA (Hons) Acting and Creative Practice)

Awards & Recognition

• UK Sitcom Trials winner 2016 (Writer, director)

• Park Theatre Script Accelerator 2016 (Sanguine Night, director & producer)

• Nominated best actor, Wales Theatre Awards 2016 (Richard III, Wales Millennium Centre)

• Shortlisted for Funny Women Awards 2016 (writer, performer, director)

• Shortlisted for Funny Women Awards 2015 (co-writer, movement)

• Samuel Beckett Theatre Award 2007 for Boileroom and The Terrific Electric (director, co-director)

• Coup de Coeur Canal Plus Award 2004 for short film Rosbeef (associate director/producer)

• Co-Filmic 2012 Audience Award for The History Girls (writer, associate director)

• Shortlisted for Total Theatre Award 2009, Time Out Critics Choice for Sweeney Todd: His Life, Times and Execution (movement director, composer)