Ashley Pearson is a London-based writer and director passionate about reimagining the classic operatic canon for modern audiences. She believes in fostering strong collaborative relationships with performers and challenging audiences — her work is unapologetically thought-provoking.

Ashley’s directing credits include the Offie nominated Partenope (HGO, Malta Three Palaces Festival); Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci, Don Giovanni, Cinderella, La Traviata (Opera on Location); Cosi fan tutte, Orpheus in the Underworld, Die Zauberflöte (St. Paul’s Opera); The Chairs (Corbett Theatre) and Nerves of the Heart (Quest).

Her work as an Assistant and Staff Director includes Berenice and Macbeth (Royal Opera House); Les Mamelles de Tirésias and Une Éducation Manquée (Royal College of Music); Don Giovanni and Die Fledermaus (Lyric Opera Studio Weimar); Carmen, La Traviata and Ulla’s Odyssey (OperaUpClose). Ashley was Associate Director under Martin Constantine for the 2017 Opera Works programme at the English National Opera.

Ashley’s work as a playwright and librettist has been seen across the UK. Her radical new English language operatic adaptations include Verismo (Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci), Cinderella, La Traviata (Opera on Location); Carmen (King’s Head Theatre, published by Oberon Books); Music Oft hath Such a Charm (OperaUpClose, UK tour). Her work as a playwright includes League of Youth, Coverage (Riot Act) and Mary, Mary (Theatre Mensch).

Ashley holds a Masters in Theatre Directing from East 15 Acting School, and has studied directing at GITIS (Russian University of Theatre Arts) and Seacoast Theatre Centre.