my journey
How it Started
At 18, I left my small UK town for London to train at ArtsEd, graduating in 2006 and launching a career that took me around the world in productions like Mamma Mia, Titus Andronicus, A Clockwork Orange and the film The Young Victoria.
Those years on stage and screen gave me a deep, inside-out understanding of the actor’s process — what they need, what challenges them, and what frees them. When I moved into directing, I built on that insight, studying Stanislavski and Meisner with Elen Bowman to refine techniques that help performers fully embody their roles.
Today, I draw on my performer’s instinct and director’s vision to create a space where actors feel safe, challenged, and inspired to deliver their most truthful, compelling work.
Early Years
I was born in the city of Derby, in the middle of the UK. My mum is a British NHS worker and my dad was an Irish immigrant who worked with horses.
As a child I was obsessed with telling stories and creating shows in my bedroom, all that has changed is that I now do this in rooms with progressional actors.
I’ve lived in London my whole adult life, but I’m a nomad at heart & work in the USA and Europe, I adore travelling & working around the world & meeting incredible creatives.
As an acting and performance coach, and an artist, I’m led by curiosity and adventure!
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recent Career
Acting and Performance Coach
The next few years I worked in the West End & all over the UK.
My career has seen me working with Cameron Mackintosh on Miss Saigon, collaborating with incredible artists worldwide, directing shows that won awards at The Edinburgh Festival and toured all over Europe and transferred Off-Broadway!
When the world changed forever in 2020 I reinvigorated my way of working again, coaching performers online, writing & directing online content. This led me to work with stars such as Raven Symoné & Sir Derek Jacobi.
“This new way of working has opened the world up to me & expanded opportunities to work with people all over the globe from wherever I am.”
Reviews
Tom O’Brien Acting and Performance Coach
“Tom O’Brien’s production is pacy and beautifully acted. An insightful and not disquieting look at mental illness… impressive and compassionate.”
“The stakes are high and the tension is wound up to number eleven in Tom O’Brien’s superbly cast and punctiliously executed production. A creative team perfectly met to imagine this 21st anniversary production with an ensemble of actors fated to realise it. Funny. Foul. Fabulous.”
BOOK NOW for a FREE consultation with me.
Work Showcase
Vicky Vox, Detox, Meatball, Mayhem Miller
The Vicky Vox Project
During Lockdown 2020 Tom O’Brien Produced, Directed & Co-wrote The Vicky Vox Project.
LA-based drag performer Vicky Vox is keeping busy live-streaming her all new Doing Great Diaries. With no warning, the quarantined peace she has created is disrupted by an unexpected delivery crashing at her door.
This heightened reality web-series, featuring a company of actual real-life creatives & hollywood Drag Queens & Television Stars, is inspired by a love of live performance, a passion for drag and queer culture and the dilemma we all find ourselves in. Filmed in isolation between LA & the UK.
Raven Symoné
Raven Symoné on playing a part on The Vicky Vox Project:
“The production company, the director – everyone was so perfect, especially during such a tumultuous situation.”