The Anglofiles: Naomi Orange on Producing, Punk Theater, and Her New York Journey
Our Anglofiles series celebrates the brilliant Brits and Commonwealth creatives making waves in New York. This week, we’re catching up with Naomi Orange, a powerhouse performer and Co-Founder of Fruit Fly Theatre Company. Born in London and raised across New Zealand and Australia, Naomi brings a globe-trotting energy to the city’s creative scene. A graduate of the Stella Adler Conservatory and the National College of Dance, she’s a true triple threat. Whether she’s leading roles at the New York Theatre Festival or producing raw, punk-infused theater, Naomi is a force to be reckoned with, not to mention she comes from a legacy of legendary storytelling as the granddaughter of historian Dame Claudia Orange.
You’ve lived in London, New Zealand, and Australia before making NYC home. How does that international perspective fuel your work at Fruit Fly Theatre Company?
I draw on something from each place. My English background gave me a deep respect for subtext. I love work that relies on restraint rather than characters just pouring their hearts out. My New Zealand heritage keeps me calm and open during the creative process, while that direct, rebellious Australian spirit is exactly what fuels the punk ethos of our company.
You’re both a producer and a performer, notably in La Casa de Bernarda Alba. What was the most rewarding part of tackling that production from both sides of the curtain?
Bernarda was massive for us. A large cast, two venues, and sold-out shows. Pulling that off was a huge milestone. On the acting side, playing the narrator was a massive challenge, especially with such a heavy, classical text. Pushing myself into that scale of storytelling while juggling the logistics of production felt like a real turning point.
Your performance in Shiva at the New York Theatre Festival really resonated. How did that festival experience push your growth as an actor?
Shiva was such a compelling mystery. I loved how it subverted the trope of a tragic hero and used a simultaneous dialogue structure that felt incredibly alive. It forced me to lean into my improv skills because no two shows were the same. The New York Theatre Festival is a beast, but the talent it draws forces you to level up, and I’ve made some of my best creative connections there.
You’re currently producing and starring in Throuples Counseling. Give us the scoop on what we can expect from that "punk-rave" aesthetic?
It’s a dark queer rom-com about college students playing a throuple for a psychology experiment. It’s camp, funny, and at times, heartbreaking. We’re leaning hard into our punk roots for this one, intentionally staging it in a queer neighborhood to keep it community-driven and accessible. It feels fresh, honest, and exactly where we want to be as a company.
Growing up, your grandmother, Dame Claudia Orange, was a major historical voice. How has her legacy influenced your path as a storyteller?
Storytelling was the air we breathed at home. My grandmother dedicated her life to preserving history, which definitely explains why I’m so drawn to true-story plays and historical epics.
Knowing a character is a real person with real stakes just adds this incredible layer of depth to the work. Growing up around women who were unafraid to lead definitely lit the fire for me to start my own company.
The Quick-Fire Round
What’s the one thing from Australia, New Zealand, or London you’re still searching for in NYC?
The transparency in the Australian workplace, that "just do your best" attitude. But if we’re being honest? It’s the food. I’m still searching for a place where bread can actually be good for you.
If you had to pick one for the rest of your career: producing or performing?
Performing, hands down. I love the freedom of producing, but I’ll always consider myself an actor first.
Go-to spot for a punk or rave vibe when you need to escape the rehearsal room?
Gold Sounds Bar in Bushwick. It’s genuinely punk, no "alternative" snobbery, and you can always strike up a conversation with the regulars.
Marmite, Vegemite, or have you fully converted to New York everything bagels?
I’ll probably be exiled for this, but I’ve never been a fan of either. Everything bagels for the win!
Which punk band captures the ‘Fruit Fly’ energy right now?
Ethel Cain. A lot of our work leans into a gothic, witchy energy, and I’ve been living in her music while prepping for our production of The Tempest this August.