Jeanmarie Simpson Playwright · Actor · Director Licensing
Experience

Resume

Forty years of acting, directing, playwriting and teaching, from Coeur d’Alene in 1982 to Arizona Theatre Matters today. Every credit below is listed in full, with the year, the role or note, and the company it was made for.

Jeanmarie Simpson

33

Acting credits, off Broadway and regional

24

Productions directed, 1986 to 2006

13

Plays written, adapted or commissioned

1989

Founded Nevada Shakespeare Company

Experience

Companies, posts and standing
2012 to presentPhoenix, Arizona

Artistic Director

Arizona Theatre Matters, founded to amplify underrepresented voices through live and digital performance.

In progress
  • When Churchyards Yawn, a Divine Comedy
  • Bambino Mio, a new play
  • The Jewish Question, a new play
  • Pineapple and Other Options, a new play
2008 to 2012Tucson, Arizona

Associate Artist, Project Specialist

Kore Press, where she co-adapted and toured Coming In Hot, drawn from the writing of women in the ranks.

1989 to 2008Reno, Nevada

Founding Artistic Director

Nevada Shakespeare Company, a Theatre Communications Group constituent company. Actors’ Equity Association contracts: Letter of Agreement, LORT D, TYA.

Associations
  • Dramatists Guild of America
  • Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
  • Actors’ Equity Association, retired
  • Screen Actors Guild AFTRA, retired

Published commentary

Essays, interviews and criticism
Online

BroadwayWorld.com, many pieces; Buzzine, many pieces; Common Dreams, three pieces; and many others.

American Theatre MagazineTCG, New York
April 2010The Food IssueRecipe contributorAmerican Theatre Magazine
September 2004Days of Our LivesContributorAmerican Theatre Magazine
October 2002Some Immoderate Thoughts on the Training of ActorsEssayAmerican Theatre Magazine
NEONNevada Arts Council
Spring 2001But for True NeedAn interview with Hal HolbrookNEON
Summer 1993Rude MechanicalsEssayNEON

And many others across both publications.

Film

Screen credits
2020Heretic, the Mary Dyer storyMary Dyer, voiceFilm
2006A Single WomanJeannette Rankin, also authorFilm

Acting

Off Broadway
2005A Single WomanJeannette, directed by J. SimpsonThe Culture Project, NYC

Acting

Regional, 1982 to present
2011 to 2017HereticMary Dyer, directed by MK RiddellArizona Theatre Matters
2008 to 2009Coming In Hot17 characters, directed by Lisa BowdenKore Press, tour
2009August Osage CountyViolet, directed by Dorothy SinclairTheatre 40, seminar
2008The Color of RoseRose Kennedy, directed by Ann HearnTheatre 40, Beverly Hills
2007Shakespeare’s WillAnne, directed by Leonard NimoyTheatre 40, Beverly Hills
2005HamletGertrude, directed by J. SimpsonNevada Shakespeare Company
2005Richard IIIElizabeth, directed by J. SimpsonNevada Shakespeare Company
2004A Single WomanJeannette, directed by Cameron CrainNevada Shakespeare Company
2003The Road to MeccaElsa Barlowe, directed by Zakes MokaeNevada Shakespeare Company
2003AmigasMarjorie, directed by Cameron CrainNevada Shakespeare Company
2001Romeo and JulietLady Capulet, directed by David EllensteinNevada Shakespeare Company
2000MacbethLady Macbeth, directed by Cameron CrainNevada Shakespeare Company
1999Sailing to ByzantiumMaude Gonne, directed by Bob BarsantiNevada Shakespeare Company
1997The Front PageHildy, directed by George CaldwellSummer Palace, Pullman
1997Pirates of PenzanceRuth, directed by Paul WadleighSummer Palace
1996Comedy of ErrorsAdriana and others, directed by L. Martina YoungWeird Sisters, Reno
1996MoonbloodJ Witch, directed by L. Martina YoungWeird Sisters
1995CardenioWife, directed by Eric DavisGroup Theatre, Reno
1995Taming of the ShrewKate, directed by Eric DavisGroup Theatre
1993Anything GoesReno, directed by George CaldwellSummer Palace
1993Cat on a Hot Tin RoofMaggie, directed by Georgia NeuActors Repertory, Las Vegas
1992The Skin of our TeethSabina, directed by Terry ConverseSummer Palace
1992Miss FirecrackerElaine, directed by Shawn ShepardSummer Palace
1992A Shayna MaidelLusia, directed by Georgia NeuActors Repertory Theatre
1991Beyond TherapyCharlotte, directed by Jeff ClarkDaring Explorations, Reno
1989The Soldier’s TaleDevil, directed by David GardinerUNR Music and Dance Fest
1988Strange SnowMartha, directed by Penny MetropulosThe Actors Project, Reno
1988TintypesEmma, directed by Reed JonesThe Actors Project
1987A Shayna MaidelRose, directed by Cynthia WhiteThe Actors Project
1986Aunt Dan and LemonDan, directed by Dave AndersonNevada Repertory Co.
1986Twelfth NightMaria, directed by Bob DillardNevada Repertory Co.
1982CamelotGuenevere, directed by Ralph McCoyCoeur d’Alene Theatre, Idaho

Directing

Representative, 1986 to 2006
2006As You Like ItNevada Shakespeare Company
2005A Single WomanThe Culture Project and NSC
2003King LearNevada Shakespeare Company, Reno
2002The Trojan WomenNevada Shakespeare Company
2001Richard IIIMy very favorite all-time showNevada Shakespeare Company
2000A Midsummer Night’s DreamNevada Shakespeare Company
2000Annie Get Your GunNevada Shakespeare Company
2000HamletNevada Shakespeare Company
1999Steel MagnoliasNevada Shakespeare Company
1997Night GameOdd Duck Studios, Seattle
1996Diary of Ann FrankActors Repertory, Las Vegas
1995The Corn is GreenNevada Shakespeare Company
1994The TempestNevada Shakespeare Company
1993Steel MagnoliasSummer Palace, Pullman
1992The WoolgathererNevada Shakespeare Company
1992Women HeroesNevada Shakespeare Company
1991Night, MotherNevada Shakespeare Company
1991Painting ChurchesNevada Shakespeare Company
1990Under Milk WoodTheatre on Broadway, Denver
1990Cost of InnocenceDenver Center, Colorado Dramatists
1989QuiltersInaugural productionNevada Shakespeare Company
1988Greater TunaRamada Showroom, Reno
1986 and 1987Richard, or a visit to a small PlantagenetReno Shakespeare Festival
1986Here We AreReno Shakespeare Festival

Playwriting

Original plays, adaptations, commissions
2013Liberty’s ChildrenCommissionBe the Change Project
2010Heretic, previously Mary’s Joy and The JoyArizona Theatre Matters
2009Coming In HotCo-adaptation of Powder: writing by women in the ranks from Vietnam to IraqKore Press
2006On Track, the Brian Willson StoryIn progress
2004A Single WomanNSC and California Stage
2003AmigasCo-adaptation of Amigas: letters of friendship and exileNevada Shakespeare Company
2002Tuesday’s ChildNevada Shakespeare Company
1997RingersOdd Duck Studios, Seattle
1997Platte River ParadoxOdd Duck Studios, Seattle
1996MoonbloodCo-written with two othersNSC and Sierra Arts Center
1996Chimera: weaving the fragmentsNSC and Women’s Studies, UNR
1995In My Own ImageComstock Arts Council, Virginia City
1994HalloweenCommissionGannet Foundation

Special skills

What she brings into the room

Trusting the material. Producing work with little or no budget, having once taught a college course titled Theatre on a Shoestring: how to produce a show for $25 or less.

Dialect artist, any dialect with some lead time, and dialect coach. Teacher of voice, acting, dance and yoga. Great with kids and animals. Bread baker. Candle maker.

Dialects Voice Dance Yoga Low budget production
Pitti Sing, The Mikado, 1977
Pitti Sing, The Mikado, 1977
For casting and programming

Ask for the resume as a document

A formatted copy of this resume, with headshots and a short biography, is sent by return email for auditions, festival submissions, grant files and programme notes.

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Keep in touch

New plays, new productions, twice a year

A short letter when a play is finished, when a production opens, or when new classroom material becomes available. Nothing else.

New plays and new productions, twice a year. Nothing else.

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