Empower
Growth
My Work
About Me
Hello, I’m Steve - a Glasgow-based Director, Facilitator and Movement Maker making work where movement, text and design collide.
I’m drawn to new writing, reimagined classics and queer stories, and to finding unexpected ways to tell them.
I love the mess of making: experimenting, collaborating and building worlds in the room. I want to make work that feels alive, takes risks and stays with you.
My typical work week involves leading workshops, rehearsing productions, and lecturing on professional qualification courses at Hamilton Theatre Arts. Beyond these commitments, I also play an active role in the scottish youth theatre community as the Artistic Director of Glasgow Acting Academy (SCIO).
Directing credits include Outskirts by Bethany Tennick, as part of the A Play, A Pie and A Pint spring season; No Regrets by Gary McNair; and Chaos by Laura Lomas. The latter two productions reached the final stages of NT Connections and were performed at the Dorfman Theatre, London. Associate Director credits include Wallace by Rob Drummond, produced by Raw Material Arts and touring Scotland in 2026 and 2027; and Water Colour by Milly Sweeney, produced by The Byre Theatre as part of TravFest 2026.
As Movement Director, I worked on the original production of Water Colour by Milly Sweeney, winner of Best Writer at The Stage Debut Awards, Best New Play at the CATS Awards, and the St Andrews Playwriting Award. I choreographed the movement for Broth, a BBC and National Theatre of Scotland Future Acts co-production, and was Movement Director for Machinal by Sophie Treadwell, working with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s third-year BA Acting students. Additional movement direction and choreography credits include Glasgow Live Productions’ Big Fish; New College Lanarkshire’s BA Acting final-year productions of Macbeth Reimagined and Nora: A Doll’s House by Stef Smith; Òran Mór’s summer pantomime Big Bad Riding Hood by Gary McNair; and Cumbernauld Theatre’s winter pantomime Aladdie by Forbes Mason.
In 2024, I founded Jump: Physical Theatre to create a movement hub in Glasgow and to explore the relationship between physical theatre and film. Since its launch, Jump has produced several short films, run six sold-out workshops, and partnered with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to host short courses for adults. Jump was also invited to travel to Germany in January 2026 to lead workshops for students at karlsruhe international school.
“At the heart of the piece is an impressive trio of performers, whose interplay with one another, thanks to the skilful direction of Steve Lauder-Russell, strengthens the believability of the bond between these three otherwise-disparate characters.”
★★★★
Review of Outskirts, The Stage
“The intimate staging brings the audience into uncomfortable proximity with the performers, ensuring that every tremor of a lip, frantic breath, and unspoken plea for help resonates across the room with thanks to Steve Lauder-Russell’s movement direction.”
★★★★★
Review of Water Colour, Corr Blimey
Ryan J Mackay, Actor
"I first had the pleasure of meeting Steve in 2013, when he began teaching at Glasgow Acting Academy. I, personally was going through a tough time, doubting my capability of pursuing acting as a career. Thankfully, as soon as Steve invested his time and passion in me, it relit and sparked that fire I once had and from that day on, I have never looked back. Whenever I go back to watch Steve teach, I am always amazed at his energy, commitment and his ability to command a room, which leads to the work they produce as a company being of such a high standard."
Rachel Lincoln, Theatre Director
"I worked with Steve as part of The National Theatre Connections Festival 2019. Steve Directed Chaos by Laura Lomas and his production was selected from over 200 to be performed at The National Theatre in The Dorfman. I spent time visiting Steve and the company and got to see his extraordinary work. This was very clear through the talent, commitment, and enthusiasm that the young people he worked with. The quality of production he had created was of a highly professional standard, and showed creative vision, flair, and a brilliant work ethic, from choreography, to direction, to design. I supported Steve in leading a technical rehearsal and partaking in production meetings, which he delivered with professionalism and leadership."
Caitlin Gillespie, Operations Manager,
Glasgow Acting Academy
"I have worked closely with Steve for over 9 years. His compassion, humour and devotion to the task at hand have been paramount to the success of the organisation and I am proud of the incredible portfolio of work produced throughout his tenure as Artistic Director. As a creative, his sheer passion for theatre and visual arts is complemented by his drive to push creative boundaries, open important conversations through his work and ultimately, produce the highest quality work he can. As a tutor and mentor, his sense of empathy shines in his ability to adapt to the needs of young people, supporting them to be confident and considerate individuals while nurturing thoughtful, creative advocates for positive change in the world."