My name is Yael. Some people call me Yaya. I’m cool with either. I am a theatre-maker, writer, director, performer, teacher, and overthinker.

My creative work draws from the intersections of my Jewish faith, queerness, and multinational identity through comedy, drag, dance, and storytelling.

Before moving to London, I worked as an actor and theatre teacher in New York. I taught drama and improv to incarcerated and court-involved young people for six years. You can listen to a podcast about my work with Drama Club NYC on an episode from NPR’s The Takeaway here.

Having been brought up by a British mum, a deep sarcastic and unethusiastic part of my personaliy needed validation, so I moved to London. In 2021, I attended the RADA MA Theatre Lab program which strengthened my physical theatre, devising, and collaborative practice.

I have since worked as a director and assistant director on shows such as The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs written by Iman Qureshi and directed by Hannah Hauer-King at Soho Theatre. I also assistant directed An Empty Chair at The National Theatre Studios.

While at RADA, I was accepted into their Creative Facilitator’s program where I learned to implement conflict resolution skills in my facilitation. I continue to teach improv comedy, storytelling, and movement to young people throughout the UK.

I was member of the Soho Writer’s Lab 2023-2024 cohort where I wrote my play This is The Story of Ayal and Noah’s Trip to Elk Neck. I am a current member of Soho Theatre’s Writer’s Alumni Group.

As a Jewish maker, I am regularly supported by cultural institutions such as the JW3 and am a recipient of a Limmud 2023 micro grant. I also work as an anti-semitism consultant across London.