Jessica West
Director of the M.F.A. Directing Program,
Associate Professor, Directing
School of Theatre
Contact
jpwest@fsu.edu
Ms. West began her career in Atlanta after receiving her B.A. in Speech and Theatre Arts from Western Carolina University and M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Georgia. She became an artistic leader in Atlanta, forging strong reputations, first as an actor with a long list of memorable roles that includes The Angel in Alliance Theatre’s Angels in America, four separate turns as Queen Elizabeth I in four separate titles, Regina in The Little Foxes, Maureen in The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire, and a solo command performance of Hungarian Medea for the President of Hungary. Later she distinguished herself as one of Atlanta’s premier theatrical directors, winning awards and recognition for her productions of Wit, Dinner With Friends, Fiddler on the Roof, Master Class, The Sunset Limited and others. For many years, she served as Assistant Artistic Director for the renowned Theatre in the Square, located just north of Atlanta, directing numerous productions. Ms. West’s acting and directing work has received critical acclaim, including several nominations and wins for the Suzi Bass Award, Atlanta’s top theatrical accolade. In addition to being a regular guest artist in all of Atlanta’s professional houses, Ms. West has also worked as a guest artist in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Society of Directors and Choreographers unions. Before coming to FSU, Ms. West taught at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia and Mars Hill University in North Carolina. Ms. West teaches a unique approach to directing, which focuses on harnessing and manipulating kinetic energy on the stage. She continues to act and direct professionally in addition to her work in educational theatre.
Education
M.F.A. Acting University of Georgia, 1980
B.A. Speech and Theatre Arts Western Carolina University, 1977
Teaching Area
Graduate Directing Courses
Research Interests
The Power of Kinetic Energy as a Directing Tool
Faith Explored in Contemporary Dramatic Literature
Select Creative Awards
2011 Atlanta Theatre Fans Best Director: The Young Man From Atlanta