Jake Sleet (he/him) began his career as a filmmaker, graduating with First-Class Honours in BSc Film Production Technology. His directing work took him to Croatia, where he trained under two-time Oscar-winning producer Branko Lustig, and to Seattle, where his film opened the horror section of the world’s largest youth film festival. He later studied at the world-renowned National Film and Television School (NFTS), where his commercial for the LGBT+ charity WERK for Peace received international recognition. This led to him directing an advert for the school, which screened in UK cinemas for two years.

Following this success, Jake was offered the director role on Don’t Shoot The Meistersinger, a two-act play set in No Man’s Land during WWI. It was through this production that Jake realised his passion for film had been superseded by a deeper love for theatre—particularly the collaborative process of working in the rehearsal room with actors.

He subsequently chose to dedicate himself to its study, bringing with him a strong visual sensibility from his filmmaking background. He undertook an MFA in Theatre Directing at Edinburgh Napier University, training under the Royal Lyceum’s longest-serving Artistic Director, Mark Thomson. Jake graduated with a Distinction and the University Class Award, and went straight into directing The Ecstasy of Hedy Lamarr as part of ATG’s Premieres Season in London, garnering numerous four-star reviews. Suzie Bloom, playing Hedy Lamarr, was nominated for Lead Performance in a Play at the Fringe Theatre Awards 25/26.

Jake rounded off 2025 by being selected to direct new writing CHIPS at A Play, A Pie, and A Pint’s A Slice of the Pie. This led to an offer to assist acclaimed actor Michael Nardone, who was directing another version of the play at the Traverse.

February 2026 will see Jake lead rehearsals for The Legend of Davie McKenzie, playing two iconic Scottish venues: Òran Mór and the Traverse.

Qualifications

• Distinction & University Class Award MFA Directing: Edinburgh Napier University

• Excellent Directing Commercials diploma: National Film and Television School

• First Degree Honours Film Production Technology BSc: Staffordshire University

Work (selected)

• Assistant Director to Michael Nardone

  'CHIPS'

  4Play at the Traverse

• Director:

  'CHIPS'

  A Play, A Pie, and A Pint's 'A Slice of The Pie'

• Director:

  'The Ecstasy of Hedy Lamarr'

  ATG Premieres Season

• Director:

  'Life's a Drag'

  Edinburgh Fringe

• Assistant Director to Laila Noble

  'You Won't Break My Soul'

  A Play, A Pie, and A Pint

• Assistant Director to Mark Thomson

  'Love and Information'

  Edinburgh Napier grad show

• Assistant Director to Becky Hope-Palmer

  'St Joan of the Stockyards'

  The Scottish Institute end-of-year show

• Assistant Director to Iain Davie

  'Loose Ends'

  Edinburgh Fringe

• Assistant Director to Mark Thomson

  'Kill Johnny Glendenning'

  Edinburgh Napier grad show