About Me

Before I was in Seattle, I worked professionally in Texas and Virginia (and yes, I am still adjusting to living outside of the South).

It was in Virginia that I first discovered my love of theater, which I would then pursue as a minor in college at William and Mary. For some reason, I thought that a major in Anthropology, and pursuing work as a cultural anthropologist and linguist, was more practical than a theater major...surprise...it was not. While in college, I performed with the Theater Department and had a short-lived career as a birthday party princess.

Jess is in a red dress alongside a scene partner in cargo shorts and a tank top, and a scene partner sitting at a table in a wheelchair and gray dress. The backdrop shows a portion of a new york skyline.

Jessica in a wig, green dress, green gloves, and tiara

Jessica is wearing a red blouse and tan apron while making a disgusted face as their scene partner holds up fake/prop dog feces in a play

Jessica as Black Mary in August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean"

Top Photo: Jessica as Inez Smith in "Our Lady of 121st Street"

Bottom Photo: Jessica as a non-Disney birthday party princess (think of frogs and New Orleans)

Jessica is outdoors in a pink sweater that says "Miner Hall" in green fabric. They are also pictured with three other women, all hugging, and the three women wear a variety of pink and green cardigans

Photo to the left: Jessica and sorority sisters at William and Mary.

During my time at William and Mary I dramaturged my first production (Kate Hamill's Sense & Sensibility) and instantly fell in love with the theatrical role that seemed to seamlessly blend my love of anthropological research and theater. I also joined my beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and served as my chapter's Vice President.

Jessica is seen smiling and making a sorority pose while in graduation regalia

Photo to the left: Jessica on graduation day!

After my undergraduate degree I was too scared to go into the real world and become an adult, so I went to graduate school! But truthfully, I discovered my love for dramaturgy and theater research at the end of my senior year of college, and desperately wanted to pursue it more. So, I moved to Texas to complete my Master of Arts in Theatre Studies at the University of Houston. During this time I was extremely fortunate to work with The Alley Theatre, Houston Shakespeare Festival, and start a career in freelance dramaturgy.

After obtaining my Masters, I stayed in Houston to continue freelancing and began work in arts education as the Education & Engagement Coordinator at Performing Arts Houston. A few months before I left Houston, I was selected to be a part of the 2023 Cohort of Artist INC Houston, an incredible artistic development program for freelance artists. During this program I learned more about the art of freelancing and working for yourself in the arts. I also met some incredible artists that shaped my current multidisciplinary approach to dramaturgy.

Jessica wears a black ruffled tank top and black and white checker pants. Their hair is in box braids. They stand at a podium with a microphone and are seen giving a speech.

My final presentation for the 2023 Artist INC Houston program. Photo by Jeremy Kabala

The Artist INC Houston Class of 2023. Photo by Jeremy Kabala

All things must eventually come to an end, and while I enjoyed my time in Houston, I was thrilled to move to Seattle to work with The 5th Avenue Theatre Company (The 5th). I now work as the Associate Director of Education at The 5th and get to do cool things like:

curate youth musical theater programming
manage professional development programming
oversee dramaturgy initiatives
manage many aspects of Rising Star Project, the only youth mentorship program of its kind throughout the entire country

In addition to my current work at The 5th, I am also honored to serve as the Vice President of Institutions with Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) and as a Board Member of Washington Thespians. Through LMDA, I work with dramaturgs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, offering organizational support and promoting best practices across the field. With Washington Thespians, I get to work with incredible theater teachers across the whole state to bring leadership opportunities to students and professional development opportunities to adults.

A photo of a small, white, longhaired cat

The wickedly talented, Marie Rochelle.

And MOST importantly...I got a cat. Her name is Marie and she is precious.

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