Hello! My name is Amy McKenzie (née Gilmartin), and I am a Glasgow-based theatre maker, producer and researcher with over a decade of experience across the Scottish theatre sector. My work spans producing, directing, dramaturgy, and artist development, with a particular focus on new writing and equitable artistic practice.
I am currently Assistant Producer (Artistic Development) at the National Theatre of Scotland, where I support the development of new work for the stage. Previously, I spent almost six years with Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland, leading and facilitating projects that supported playwrights at every stage of their careers.
I recently completed an MA in Arts, Festival and Cultural Management at Queen Margaret University, graduating with distinction. My dissertation - “Cultivating Playwrights and Plays: Exploring the role of arts managers in supporting playwrights and new writing within Scottish Theatre” - investigated the often-invisible labour of arts managers in developing new writing, and continues to shape my approach to artistic development.
I am now a funded PhD researcher at the University of the West of Scotland in partnership with Stellar Quines Theatre Company. My project - “Relocating Power: Stellar Quines, Feminist Praxis, and the Question of (De)Professionalisation” - explores how this feminist-led theatre organisation challenges traditional ideas of legitimacy, cultural value, and professionalisation. Using Stellar Quines’ recent relocation from Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy as a case study, my research asks what it means to make theatre outside traditional centres of power, and how decentralisation can reshape both community relationships and artistic practice.
As a director and dramaturg, I have worked with organisations including the Traverse Theatre, Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, Lung Ha Theatre Company, and Grid Iron Theatre Company. I am drawn to work that reflects the complexities of being human, and I am excited by theatre that is political, cathartic, entertaining, and thought-provoking.
Read more about my creative practice and some of my directing, dramaturgy, and producing work, as well as my research. You can also download my CV.
I am always interested in hearing from potential collaborators. You can contact me via: amymckenzieprojects@outlook.com