JILL RAYMOND
writer.
producer.
actor.
creator.
director.
dreamer.
educator.
a r t r e p r e n e u r.
ABOUT JILL RAYMOND
A Geordie lass with a heart of gold and iron will, Jill has never been afraid to roll her sleeves up and embrace the grit of being an artist. Over the last 20+ years she has grown from common roots as a performer in community productions and Theatre for Young Audiences across the UK, into international professional contracts spanning three continents. In 2018 she founded her award-winning theatre company, Direct Theatre Collective, and has become an influencial presence in the arts scene of Vancouver. In every instance, Jill has taken every challenge and created opportunity, and proven her breadth and versatility as an artist and entrepreneur.
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Now also developing her playwright portfolio, and leading Direct Theatre Collective as Artistic Director, Jill adores researching and developing new works that will provoke and inspire conversation. With eleven awards for the company since it was founded and presentations globally, their work and words have received critical acclaim and heartfelt audience feedback.
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Relentless in her passion to forge the best possible path in her one wild life, she continues to search for truth and love in all elements of her work.​
WORK
PERFORMER
Jill Raymond has an extensive performance background spanning three continents over nearly two decades, including Theatre, Musicals, Film, Voice Acting, and Presenting.
More details, awards and media, can be found here.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / WRITER /
PRODUCER
As the Current and Founding Artistic Director of Direct Theatre Collective, Jill is passionate about creating and producing performance works that spark conversation and can be a vehicle for social change. She has written and produced three shows for the company, HYSTERIA (in collaboration with the collective), ver·i·si·mil·i·tude, and Monster (co-written with Florence Reiher). She also produced Where Women Gather, a hybrid theatre-film documentary which has has screenings around the world including being in the Official Selection for the Women Deliver Conference in Rwanda, 2023.
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The company has eleven awards, including Artistic Innovation from The City of Richmond Arts Awards, 2020.
COMMUNICATIONS/ PUBLIC RELATIONS / DIGITAL PRESENCE AND CONTENT EXPERT
Jill has been working as a contractor and consultant with theatre companies and performing artists of many genres for a decade, assisting with their Online Content, Digital Presence and Communications through rayAction creative communications. She recently launched Artrepreneur, a creative agency offering consulting and courses for individuals and companies alike.
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With training in both Business and Digital Marketing, and a proven track record in Media, Content Creation, and Management, she is a dynamic online communications expert, and is passionate about helping other artists develop and improve their business skills and online savvy - bridging the vital gap between artist and entrepreneur - the ARTrepreneur.
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EDUCATOR/
COACH
Working with students of all ages, Jill teaches many elements of performance in a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment where imagination and play come first.
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More information can be found on the Ms Jill Teaches page here.