Director
Jess Hutchinson is a director and dramaturg who loves new work and making art that feels like coming home. Past directing credits include the pandemic-postponed world premiere of The Lowell Offering by Andy Bayiates and Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, the Midwest premiere of Steven Dietz’s Mad Beat Hip and Gone, two productions (including the world premiere) of Bilal Dardai’s adaptation of The Man Who Was Thursday, the premiere of Kristin Idaszak’s Second Skin, and workshop productions of Georgette Kelly’s North Star, Emily Dendinger’s No Home For Bees, and Sarah Saltwick’s Scarlet Letter. As Artistic Director of Chicago’s New Leaf Theatre, favorite projects included Arcadia, The Dining Room, and world premieres of Burying Miss America by Brian Golden, Lighthousekeeping by Georgette Kelly, and Vox Pandora by Bilal Dardai. She was proud to be the 2015-16 National New Play Network Producer in Residence at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas. Jess earned her MFA in Directing at the University of Texas at Austin and recently completed her Masters in Social Sector Leadership and Non-Profit Management at the University of Chicago. www.jesshutchinson.com