ARTISTIC WORK
I am a director, deviser, choreographer, and maker. I operate in traditional main stage contexts, in unconventional theatre spaces, and in the development of new works. I specialize in movement-based, site-specific, intermedial, and immersive play development. I have collaborated as an assistant director, director, and performer with professional companies and playwrights in both the USA and Italy.
In 2006, I assistant directed Le Terre del Silenzio by playwright Amedeo Messina for the Lucana theatre company Ensemble Teatro Instabile. In 2012, I directed a staged reading of Caridad Svitch's new play, The Way of Water, as part of the NoPassport reading scheme to commemorate the one year anniversary of the BP Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
For Available Light Theatre's Next Stage Initiative, I choreographed the workshop staging of Southern Cross the Dog by Camille Bullock (2014) and directed the workshop staging of AFTER by Brett Beach (2015).
In 2011, I was the assistant director for the premiere of HOUSE/DIVIDED by The Builders Association at the Wexner Center for the Arts. In 2015, I performed as an ensemble member in SITI Company and Ann Hamilton's collaboration the theatre is a blank space at the Wexner Center for the Arts.
DANCERS (BALLARINI)
2015
London | NYC
By Emma Dante. Translated and directed by Francesca Spedalieri. English language premiere. Produced by Wrought Atlas Theatre Ensemble and presented by Palindrome Productions (London) and the New York Fringe Festival. With Sifiso Mazibuko and Sarah Ware. Lights by Alex Kyle-Dipietropaolo.
Theatre in the Now Interview.
BRIGHT EYES
2015
The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
Written and performed by Brent Ries for the MFA Acting Solo Festival. Directed by Francesca Spedalieri.
HUDDLED (YOU MAKE ME DO THIS)
2015
Urban Arts Space (Columbus, OH)
Huddled is an installation performance art piece exploring trauma. It was staged by actors Brent Ries and Meg Chamberlain as part of You Make Me Do This. Concept, music, and text adaptation by Francesca Spedalieri. Based on a poem by Elizabeth Wellman.
CROSSING - A STUDY
2014
The Ohio State University
A dance theatre piece, Crossing grapples with the deaths at sea of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean as Europe watches on. The piece was conceived by Francesca Spedalieri and co-choreographed with Sifiso Mazibuko and Patrick Wiabel.
THERE IS NO SILENCE
2014
The Ohio State University
A fantasia inspired by the great French mime artist Marcel Marceau. It combines physical theatre, projections, and animations. Directed by Jeanine Thompson. Devised by the MFA Actors, class of 2015. I served as the assistant director for the production and the and the co-choreographer for specific scenes. Main-stage production part of the Theatre Department season.
THE OTHER SIDE
2013
A parked car covered in mud - The Ohio State University
Written, directed, and choreographed by Francesca Spedalieri. With Rachel Switlick and Emily Colizoli. A site-sympathetic piece, The Other Side is a cyclical, movement-centric, found-text play performed in a car. This piece was part of In Transit - An Evening of Automotive Plays conceived by Max Glenn and produced by The Lab Series.
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
2012
The Ohio State University
By Josefina López. I directed this main-stage production part of the Theatre Department season. The play was part of a double-bill together with The Matchmaker by Patricia Suárez, translated by Ana Puga, and directed by Lesley Ferris.
THE CAMOUFLAGE PROJECT
2011
The Ohio State University
Conceived by Lesley Ferris and Mary Tarantino. Directed by Lesley Ferris and Jeanine Thompson. I served as the assistant director for the production, as well as a playwright, exhibit-production liaison, exhibit catalog editor, and research/devising blog and website creator. Main-stage production part of the Theatre Department season.
THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME
2010
The Ohio State University
By Paula Vogel. Directed by Beth Kattelman. I served as the assistant director and one of the movement specialists for this production. Main-stage production part of the Theatre Department season.
