​​​​​​​Jessica Holt Director
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EDUCATION
MFA Yale School of Drama, Directing, 2015
MA UC Berkeley, Performance Studies
BA UCLA, Anthropology
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DIRECTING
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SENSE & SENSIBILITY (by Kate Hamill), The Cape Playhouse, 2023
FUN HOME (by Kron/Tesori), River & Rail Theatre, 2023
THE GREAT LEAP ( by Lauren Yee), Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre, 2022
UNCOVERING DOWNTOWN (by Mona Mansour & Jessica Holt), En Garde Arts, 2022
THE CODE (by The Kilbanes), A.C.T. Young Conservatory, 2022
A.C.T. CLASS OF 2022 MFA SHOWCASE (Various), A.C.T., 2022
THE THANKSGIVING PLAY (By Larissa FastHorse), Virginia Stage Company, 2022
A.C.T. CLASS OF 2021 MFA SHOWCASE (Various), A.C.T., 2021
IRONBOUND (by Martyna Majok), American Conservatory Theatre, 2020
A.C.T. CLASS OF 2020 MFA SHOWCASE (Various), A.C.T., 2020
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS*** (by William Shakespeare), Cal Shakes, 2020
SENSE & SENSIBILITY (by Kate Hamill), Virginia Stage Company, 2020
CONSTELLATIONS (by Nick Payne), A.C.T. MFA Conservatory, 2019
THE DAUGHTERS ( by Patricia Cotter), San Francisco Playhouse, 2019
THE WOLVES (by Sarah DeLappe), A.C.T. Young Conservatory, 2019
FUN HOME (by Bechdel/Tesori/Kron), Virginia Stage Company, 2019
THE RESTING PLACE (by Ashlin Halfnight), Magic Theatre, 2018
SEAL BOY (by Ken Weitzman), American Academy of Dramatic Art, 2018
SUBURBAN HORROR STORY (by Edith Freni), Spitfire Studios, BBDO & Street Grace, 2017
SPEECH AND DEBATE (by Stephen Karam,) Barrington Stage Company, 2017
SENSE & SENSIBILITY (by Kate Hamill), The Studio/New York
RICH GIRL (by Victoria Stewart), Florida Studio Theatre, 2017
VENUS IN FUR (by David Ives), Virginia Stage Company, 2017
FEMALE BEGINNER (by Edith Freni), Ensemble Studio Theatre, 2017
TRUEST (by Megan Cohen), American Academy of Dramatic Art, 2016
UGLY LIES THE BONE (by Lindsey Ferrentino), Alliance Theatre, 2016
BRIGHT HALF LIFE** (by Tanya Barfield), Actors Express, 2015
THE CHILDREN (by Phillip Howze,) Carlotta Festival of New Plays, Yale School of Drama, 2015
THE SEAGULL (by Anton Chekhov), Yale School of Drama, Iseman Theatre, 2014
TWELFTH NIGHT (by William Shakespeare), Yale School of Drama, Iseman Theatre, 2014
WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT (by Jackie Sibblies Drury), Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014
WHY TORTURE IS WRONG… (by Christopher Durang), Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014
HAVE I NONE (by Edward Bond) Yale Cabaret, 2014
M.A.H. (museum play) (by Kate Tarker) Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014
DEAD ENDS. (by Ryan Campbell), Yale School of Drama, 2013
THE LILY’S REVENGE( by Taylor Mac), Magic Theatre, 2011
OUR TOWN (by Thorton Wilder), West Valley College 2011
DIS/CONNECTED (by Bennett Fisher), New Conservatory Theatre Center, 2011
THE GLASS MENAGERIE (by Tennessee Williams) Boxcar Theatre, 2010
NO BULL(by Bennett Fisher), New Conservatory Theatre Center, 2010
LOOT by Joe Orton, Masquers Playhouse, 2009
PRIVATE FEARS IN PUBLIC PLACES (by Alan Ayckbourne), Ross Valley Players, 2009
SUBURBAN MOTEL: THE END OF CIVILIZATION (by George F. Walker), UC Berkeley, 2007
THE MEASURES TAKEN (By Bertolt Brecht), UC Berkeley, 2006
* World Premiere **West Coast Premiere ***Canceled due to COVID 19
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READINGS AND WORKSHOPS
9.5 (by Emma Zetterberg), Theater Masters Take Ten Festival, 2022
SLEEPOVER (by Alica Daine Benning), Theater Masters Take Ten Festival, 2022
TIGER BEAT (by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin), Bay Area Playwrights Festival, 2021
RULES OF COMEDY (by Patrica Cotter), San Francisco Playhouse, 2020
THE HYSTERICALS (by Edith Freni), Cape Cod Theatre Project, 2020
THE CODE (by The Kilbanes), A.C.T. New Strands Festival, 2019
THE LAST WHITE MAN (by Bill Cain) Santa Cruz Shakespeare, 2019
HEARTLAND (by Gabriel Jason Dean) National New Play Network Annual Conference, 2018
BE HERE NOW (by Deb Zoe Lauer) O’Neil Winter Residence, 2017
SCIENTIFIC METHOD (by Jenny Connell Davis) Rivendell Theatre, 2017
DANNY & THE ROCKET (by M.Martin/C. O’Neill), Pocono Mountains Music Festival, 2017
EUREKA DAY( by Jonathan Specter), The Lark Theatre, 2017
THE RESTING PLACE (by Ashlin Halfnight), Virgin Play Festival, Magic Theatre, 2017
ANOTHER KIND OF SILENCE (by L Feldman), Virgin Play Festival, Magic Theatre, 2017
LAURA AND THE SEAN (by Kate Tarker), Virgin Play Festival, Magic Theatre, 2017
THE HYSTERICALS (by Edith Freni), Sewanee Writer’s Conference, 2017
ALL THE ROADS HOME (by Jen Silverman) Rattlestick Theatre, 2016
SYCAMORE (by Sarah Sander), Bay Area Playwrights Festival, 2016
TRUEST (by Megan Cohen), Berkeley Rep Ground Floor, 2016
THE CAKE (by Bekah Brunstetter), Alliance Theatre, 2016
THE CONFESSION (by Will Arbery), Alliance Theatre, 2016
ABOMINABLE (by Philip Howze), Yale School of Drama, 2013
COW PLAY (by Matthew George), Virgin Play Festival, Magic Theatre, 2012
LONELY LEELA (by Rehana Mirza), Virgin Play Festival, Magic Theatre, 2012
THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER (by Tectonic Theatre Project), Magic Theatre, 2009
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ASSOCIATE/ASSISTANT DIRECTING
DISGRACED (by Ayad Akhtar, Dir: Susan Booth), Alliance Theatre, 2016
ONE FLEW OVER A CUCKOO’S NEST (by Dale Wasserman, Dir: Susan Booth),
Alliance Theatre, 2015
AMERICAN NIGHT (by Richard Montoya, Dir: Shana Cooper), Yale Repertory Theater, 2012
WHY WE HAVE A BODY (by Claire Chafee, Dir: Katie Pearl), Magic Theatre, 2011
MACBETH (by William Shakespeare, Dir: Mark Jackson), Shotgun Players, 2008
RED (by CHAY YEW, Dir: Robert Kelley), Theatreworks, 2004
PROOF (by David Auburn, Dir: Robert Kelley), Theatreworks, 2003
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AFFILIATIONS & FELLOWSHIPS
Wingspace Design Collective, Current
National Directing Fellowship, 2016
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with Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, NNPN, the Kennedy Center, and SDCF
National New Plays Network, Affiliated Artist, 2016 - present
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ARTISTIC PRODUCING & LEADERSHIP
YALE DIRECTING FELLOW, The Alliance Theatre, 2015 - 2016
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014 Season​
CO-FOUNDER/PERFORMANCE CURATOR, Guided Tour, 2012-2015
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Bay One Acts Festival, 2008-2012
CO-FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Threshold Theater, 2008-2011
ASSOCIATE ARTIST, Magic Theatre, 2008-2018
LINE PRODUCER, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, In The Rough 2009-2010
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TEACHING & UNIVERSITY SERVICE
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LECTURER, Script Analysis, Maggie Flanagan Studio NYC, 2020-2023
DIRECTING MENTOR, Wingspace Design Collective Mentorship Program, 2021-2023
LECTURER/GUEST DIRECTOR, 1st Year Studio Project & MFA Showcase, A.C.T, 2019-2022
LECTURER, Prepared & Cold Read Techniques, A.C.T. 2020-2022
TEACHING ARTIST, Virtual Composition Techniques, A.C.T. 2021
GUEST LECTURER, Audition Technique, American Academy of Dramatic Art NYC, 2017-2018
GUEST ARTIST, Mastering Your Craft: Directing Actors, NALIP Latino Lens Series, 2018
DIRECTING MENTOR, Fordham University, 2017
GUEST ARTIST, Scene Study and Audition Skills Building Workshop, Alliance Theatre, 2015-2016
ADJUNCT FACULTY, Introduction to Acting & Introduction to Theatre, West Valley College, 2009 - 2012
GUEST ARTIST, Acting with Power, Stanford Business School, 2010
ADJUNCT FACULTY, Introduction to Acting, Evergreen Valley College 2009
LECTURER, Introduction to Acting, Academy of Art University 2007-2009
TEACHING ARTIST, Introduction to Improvisation, New Conservatory Theatre Center, 2009 – 2012
LECTURER, Intermediate Acting, Introduction to Acting, World Theatre, UC Berkeley, 2004-2009
RECOGNITIONS
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Nominated for Broadway World Regional Best Direction of a Play, Sense & Sensibility (Virginia Stage Company, 2020)
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Nominated for Broadway World Regional Production of a Decade, Sense & Sensibility (Virginia Stage Company, 2020)
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Nominated for Broadway World Regional Production of a Decade, Fun Home, (Virginia Stage Company, 2019)
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Boston Globe’s “Critics Pick” for Speech and Debate (Barrington Stage Company, 2017)
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Nominated for a Suzi Bass Award for Best Play and Best Direction of a Play, Ugly Lies the Bone (Alliance Theatre 2016)
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Nominated for Best Direction by Broadway World Atlanta for Ugly Lies the Bone (Alliance Theatre, 2016)
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New Haven Review’s Best of Cab ’46 “Best Pre-Existing Play,” for Have I None (Yale Cabaret, 2014)
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SF Bay Guardian “Best of 2011 Theatre” for A Three Little Dumplings Adventure (BOA, 2011)
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SF Bay Guardian “Best of 2011 Theatre” for The Lily’s Revenge (Magic, 2011)
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SF Bay Times Top 10 Best of Theater for Private Fears in Public Places (RVP, 2009)
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P R O D U C I N G
The Magic Negro and other Blackity Blackness (Mark Kendall), The Alliance Theatre, 2016
The Art of Theatrical Design, A Gallery ExhibitThe Alliance Theatre, 2015
We are Proud to Present… by Jackie Sibblie Drury, Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014
A Map of Virtue by Erin Courtney Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014
Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them by Christopher Durang, Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014
Middletown by Will Eno, Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014
Summer Shorts, A festival of Short Plays, Yale Summer Cabaret, 2014
The Unofficial Official Yale Tour, Devised by Guided Tour, 2013-2014
Seth and Hunter Talk about Everything, Devised by Guided Tour, 2014-2015
In the Rough Reading Series, Line Producer, Playwrights Foundation, 2009-2011
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F E S T I V A L P R O D U C I N G
SUMMER SHORTS: A FESTIVAL OF SHORT PLAYS, 2014 Festival Producer
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Artists include: Hansol Jung, MJ Kaufman, A. Rey Pamatmat, Kate Tarker, Rolin Jones, Mary Laws
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND IDEAS, 2013 Main Stage Artist Services
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Artists include: David Dimitri, A Broken Umbrella Theater, Compagnie Käfig, Sequence 8
BAY ONE ACTS FESTIVAL, 2012, Festival Producer & Artistic Director
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Artists include: Anthony Clarvoe, Erin Bregman, Christopher Chen, Ken Slattery, Megan Cohen, Stuart Eugene Bousel, Bennett Fisher, Sam Leichter, and the devised work of 11th Hour Ensemble and Ragged Wing Ensemble. Producing partners: Playwrights Foundation, PianoFight Productions, Precarious Theatre, Sleepwalkers Theatre, No Nude Men, SF Theater Pub, Instrumental Theatre, Threshold, Ragged Wing Ensemble and 11th Hour Ensemble.
BAY ONE ACTS FESTIVAL, 2011, Festival Producer & Artistic Director
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Artists include: Lauren Yee, Bennett Fisher, William Bivins, Tim Bauer, Megan Cohen, Crish Barth. Producing partners include: Asian American Theater Company, Boxcar Theatre, Climate Theatre, Dark Room Productions, PianoFight Productions, Playwrights Center SF, Sleepwalkers Theatre, Threshold, Playwrights Foundation, and Woman’s Will.
BAY ONE ACTS FESTIVAL, 2010, Festival Producer & Artistic Director
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Artists include: Lauren Yee, Megan Cohen, Bill Bivins, Bennett Fisher, Jon Brooks, Daniel Heath. Producing partners include: Playwrights Foundation, Playwrights Center SF, Sleepwalkers Theatre, Threshold, Cutting Ball.
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