William Spencer is a director, choreographer and movement director working across theatre, musical theatre and dance. His practice spans the commercial and subsidised sectors, combining bold storytelling, theatrical rigour and inclusive creative approaches to make ambitious, accessible work for diverse audiences. He believes his lived experience as a proudly neurodivergent and queer artist shapes his view of the world, and through this his artistic ambitions.

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William's work has received four Offie Award nominations, recognising productions including [title of show], his narrative ballet Coppélia, Tinderella and Grindr: The Opera.

 

Most recently, he directed and choreographed the critically acclaimed 2026 UK tour of Grindr: The Opera, visiting five cities with extended runs in London and Manchester and receiving further five-star reviews. Other notable credits include choreographing the WhatsOnStage Award-nominated regional premiere of Be More Chill, directing and choreographing The annual Pantomime at Hope Mill Theatre for three consecutive years, and developing new musical theatre and dance works.

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William has served as Assistant Artistic Director at Stopgap Dance Company through its pioneering Future Leaders programme, where he has contributed to artistic development, inclusive leadership and accessible rehearsal methodologies whilst continuing his own journey towards becoming an artistic leader. His work with the company includes supporting professional development for disabled and neurodivergent artists, co-leading creative research and development, touring with the company, and contributing to the presentation of Lived Fiction at Sadler's Wells East in January 2027.

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A graduate of Bird College Conservatoire and an alumnus of the Young Vic's Fresh Direction programme, William has worked across a range of professional and educational settings with students at Guildhall, Rambert School, ICMT and Pineapple Dance Studios. His experience encompasses directing and choreographing productions from early development through to full staging, alongside teaching, creative facilitation and consultancy in inclusive practice.

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Central to William's artistic philosophy is the belief that dance and theatre should be accessible, relatable and rooted in shared human experiences. His practice explores how established theatrical traditions and movement languages can be challenged and reimagined, without sacrificing their technical or artistic integrity. He is particularly interested in how movement can communicate beyond language, inviting audiences who may not traditionally engage with theatre or dance to discover themselves within the work.

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Looking ahead, William is committed to developing ambitious new productions, re-imagining classic works with a 21st Century focus, nurturing the next generation of performers and creative artists, and progressing towards artistic leadership. His ambition is to help shape a theatre industry where accessibility, artistic excellence and relatable storytelling are side by side in the spotlight.