Jessica ChipmanMFA in Directing MA in Theatre Production BA in Writing and Rhetoric; BA in Education Jessica Chipman (she/her/hers) is a theatre director, playwright, and educator based out of Minnesota. She is the founder and artistic director of Wild Gem Theatre Company, a pop-up, bespoke theatre company with emphases on meaningful performing arts experiences and educational theatre. She is also the co-founder of Dynamo Creative, a female-led theatre company committed to amplifying the stories of women. A longtime theatre educator and current school production coach, Jessica is a proud member of New Play Exchange, Playwrights' Center, and Communication Theatre Arts Minnesota. Jessica has directed over thirty-five productions for regional theater, educational theatre, community theater, and was invited to direct at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She has created improv groups, alumni productions, and twenty-four-hour theatre festivals. Her plays have been produced across the world. Recognizing Jessica's work are National Federation of High Schools (Outstanding Theatre Educator Award), Austin Film Festival (Playwriting Competition Second-Rounder), Lake Region Arts Council (Individual Legacy Grant), Willa Cather Foundation (option for stage adaptation), Actors Theatre of Louisville (Heideman Award Finalist), Henley Rose Playwriting Competition (Script Finalist), Concord Theatricals (pilot production of Tuck Everlasting), Wells Fargo Spotlight on the Arts (Award of Excellence), Next Stage Press (Publication), Hennepin Theatre Trust (Outstanding Overall Production), Breaking Character Magazine (publication), Eldridge Plays and Musicals (publication), Minnesota State High School League (State One Act Play judge invitation), Perpich Center for Arts Education (Regional Arts Teacher-Leader), Communication Theatre Arts Minnesota (Board of Governors invitation), Minnesota Educational Theatre Association (Theatre Educator of the Year), Andria Theatre (Best Actor Award), Iowa High School Speech Association (Richard Riggleman Young Speech Coach Award), and Iowa State Education Association (Favorite Teacher of the Year Finalist). Jessica is committed to anti-racist practices. |