Directing and Fight Choreography

Justin directs Chelsea Simmons as Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker at The Western Stage.

We all have a story to tell. From Shakespeare to musical theatre and contemporary drama, I can help your company realize your projects from page to stage. As an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society with over a decade of experience, I am firmly an “actor’s director,” with a passion for collaborative, ensemble-driven theatre and immersive and unconventional storytelling. Please check out my resume, reviews, and the below production stills.

Additionally, I also work as a fight director, with training from the British Academy of Stage Combat and through an SAFD approved program at the University of Illinois. I especially enjoy choreographing for colleges and universities, educating students on the thrill of safe and compelling theatrical violence.

Selected Production Photos

Featuring selections from Justin’s productions of The Tragedy of Hamlet, The Miracle Worker, The Fantasticks, Red Light Winter, Romeo and Juliet, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, and Macbeth.

"The Tragedy of Hamlet," New Canon Theatre Co., 2023. Artwork: Saul Villegas. Photos: Glen McDowell
Director's Statement
Christopher Morson as Hamlet
Chris McElwain as the Sexton
Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia, Chris McElwain as Polonius.
Christopher Morson as Hamlet, Noah Lucé as Horatio, Angus Leslie as Attendant
Michael Storm as Claudius, Caitlin Lawrence Papp as Gertrude
Christopher Morson as Hamlet
Christopher Morson as Actor
Michael Storm as Claudius, Shannon Brett Donovan as Laerta
Christopher Morson as Hamlet, Shannon Brett Donavan as Laerta
Christopher Morson as Hamlet, Noah Lucé as Horatio
Augus Leslie as Rosencrantz, Xander Young as Guildenstern, Christopher Morson as Hamlet, as the Company looks on.
Christopher Morson as Hamlet, Caitlin Lawrence Papp as Gertrude
Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia
Christopher Morson as Hamlet, Michael Storm as Claudius
Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia
Shannon Brett Donovan as Actor
The Company of "The Tragedy of Hamlet"
Christopher Morson as Hamlet, Michael Storm as Claudius
Noah Lucé as Horatio
Christopher Morson as Hamlet, Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia
Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia, Christopher Morson as Hamlet
Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia, Shannon Brett Donovan as Laerta, Chris McElwain as Polonius
Michael Storm as Claudius, Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia, Chris McElwain as Polonius
Brady Voss as First Player
Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia, Chris McElwain as Polonius
Christopher Morson as Hamlet, Celeste Lagrange as Ophelia
Michael Storm as the Ghost of King Hamlet
Michael Storm as the Ghost, Christopher Morson as Hamlet
Sarah Dunnavant as Player Queen, Brady Voss as Player King
Christopher Morson as Hamlet
"The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage. Photos by Richard Green
Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 11.40.16 AM.png
Chelsea Simmons and Colette Gsell in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Noah Luce, Chealsea Simmons, and JT Taylor in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Chelsea Simmons and Sarah Burleson Noah Luce, Chealsea Simmons, and JT Taylor in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Chelsea Simmons, Noah Luce, Colette Gsell, Sarah England, Kelly Hendrix, and JT Taylor in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
"The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Noah Luce, Chealsea Simmons, and JT Taylor in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Chelsea Simmons, Colette Gsell, and Kona in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Chelsea Simmons and Colette Gsell in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Colette Gsell and Chelsea Simmons in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Colette Gsell and Chelsea Simmons in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Colette Gsell and Chelsea Simmons in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Colette Gsell and Chelsea Simmons in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
"The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
"The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Colette Gsell and Chelsea Simmons in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Colette Gsell and Chelsea Simmons in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
Colette Gsell and Chelsea Simmons in "The Miracle Worker" at The Western Stage.
47968335346_1ca5251f87_o.jpg
"The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company. Scenic Design by Eric Maximoff. Lighting Design by Derek Duarte. Costume Design: C. Gloria Mattos Hughes. Photos by Kristen Darken
Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 11.00.20 AM.png
"The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Michael Blackburn as El Gallo and Sarah Horn as The Mute in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
MacKenna Wilson as Luisa in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Kevin Matsumoto as Matt in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Mark Purcell and Peter Hoffman as Hucklebee and Bellomy in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as The Mute in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as The Mute and Anjoli Johnson, Annarose Hunt, and Teresa Cerros as The Players in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as The Mute, Kevin Matsumoto as Matt, and MacKenna Wilson as Luisa in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Gary Bolen as Henry and Douglas Duffy Johnson as Mortimer in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
"The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
"The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
"The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
"The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Michael Blackburn as El Gallo and MacKenna Wilson as Luisa in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
MacKenna Wilson in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Michael Blackburn as El Gallo and MacKenna Wilson as Luisa in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Mark Purcell as Hucklebee, Peter Hoffman as Bellomy, MacKenna Wilson as Luisa, and Kevin Matsumoto as Matt in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Michael Blackburn as El Gallo in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Gary Bolen as Henry, Douglas Duffy Johnson as Mortimer, and Anjoli Johnson in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
Michael Blackburn as El Gallo in "The Fantastics" at MPC Theatre Company.
MacKenna Wilson and Kevin Matsumoto as Luisa and Matt in "The Fantasticks" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre. Scenic and Lighting Design: Tara Houston. Costume Design: Rachel Dozier-Ezell. Photos by Tara Houston.
Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 11.26.56 AM.png
Anthony Bianco as Matt and Linda Yala as Christina in "Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre.
Linda Yala, Drew Shirley, and Anthony Bianco in "Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre.
Anthony Bianco as Matt and Linda Yala as Christina in "Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre.
Linda Yala as Christina in "Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre."
Anthony Bianco as Matt in "Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre.
Linda Yala, Drew Shirley, and Anthony Bianco in "Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre.
Drew Shirley and Linda Yala in "Red White Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre.
Drew Shirley as Davis and Linda Yala as Christina in "Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre.
Drew Shirley as Davis and Linda Yala as Christina in "Red Light Winter" at the Armory Free Theatre.
1929746_659588337540_1670_n.jpg
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company. Scenic Design: Douglas Ridgeway. Lighting Design: Derek Duarte. Costumes: Ashley Tripp and C. Gloria Mattos Hughes. Photos by Kristen Darker and Nikki Moon.
Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 11.04.38 AM.png
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo and Sarah Horn as Benvolio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as Benvolio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
River Navaille as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as Benvolio and River Navaille as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
IMG_6307.JPG
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Matthew Reich as Tybalt and Anjoli Johnson as Romeo "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
DSC_0571.jpg
Kiana Sorenson as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo and Kiana Sorenson as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson and Kiana Sorenson in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Colin Skerritt as Friar John and Howard Burnham as Friar Lawrence in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
River Navaille as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo and River Navaille as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Lyla Englehorn as the Nurse in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Lyla Englehorn as the Nurse and Kiana Sorenson as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson, Howard Burnham, and Kiana Sorenson in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
River Navaille as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Matthew Reich as Tybalt and Anjoli Johnson as Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
IMG_6546.JPG
Matthew Reich as Tybalt and River Navaille as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as Benvolio and River Navaille as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo and Matthew Reich as Tybalt in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Oliver Banham as Prince Escalus in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
James Brady as Capulet, Kristi Lovik as Lady Capulet, Roland Shorter as Paris, Mitch Davis as Montague, and Phyllis Davis as Lady Montague in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Howard Burnham as Friar Lawrence in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo and Howard Burnham as Friar Lawrence in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Kiana Sorenson as Juliet and Anjoli Johnson as Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Kristi Lovik as Lady Capulet in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Kiana Sorenson as Juliet, Lyla Englehorn as the Nurse, and James Brady as Capulet in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Howard Burnham as Friar Lawrence, Roland Shorter as Paris, and Kiana Sorenson as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Kiana Sorenson as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Kristi Lovik, Kiana Sorenson, and Lyla Englehorn in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo and Matthew Reich as Tybalt in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Romeo and Kiana Sorenson as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
"Romeo and Juliet" at MPC Theatre Company.
DSC_0846.jpg
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company. Scenic Design: Linda Temple. Lighting Design: Douglas Ridgeway. Costume Design: C. Gloria Mattos Hughes. Photos by Kristen Darken.
Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 11.08.23 AM.png
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Andres Mercado as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Andres Mercado as George Bailey and Kiana Sorenson as Mary Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Teresa Del Piero and Stephanie England in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Ron Genauer, Andres Mercado, and Kiana Sorenson in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Ron Genauer as Potter and Andres Mercado as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Stephanie England, Teresa Del Piero, and Kiana Sorenson in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Andres Mercado as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Roland Shorter and Andres Mercado in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Ron Genauer in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
Teresa Del Piero as Ma Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at MPC Theatre Company.
IMG_1358.JPG
WL 8.JPG
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre. Scenic and Lighting Design by Andrew McCarty. Costume Design by Adriana Lambarri. Photos by Charlie Chu.
Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 11.18.40 AM.png
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Aaron Golden as The Visitor, Jonathan Biver as Einstein, and Brandon Morgan as Picasso in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Aaron Golden as the Visitor in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Betsy Mugavero as the Countess and Jonathan Biver as Einstein in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Screen Shot 2020-01-18 at 3.07.56 PM.png
Maria Pallas as Germaine and Brandon Morgan as Picasso "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Jonathan Biver and Brandon Morgan in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Jonathan Biver and Brandon Morgan in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Andrew McCarty as Freddy, Jonathan Biver as Einstein, Brandon Morgan as Picasso in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Quinn Matfeld as Schmendeman in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Brandon Morgan as Picasso and Betsy Mugavero as Suzanne in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Brandon Morgan as Picasso in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Brian Normoyle as Sagot and Andrew McCarty as Freddy in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Brian Normoyle as Sagot and Andrew McCarty as Freddy in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Brian Normoyle as Sagot in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Joe Thomas as Gaston and Betsy Mugavero in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Jonathan Biver in "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at the Hollywood Complex Theatre.
Screen Shot 2020-01-18 at 3.13.34 PM.png
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company. Scenic and Graphic Design: Corinn Hillstrom. Lighting Design: Derek Duarte. Costume Design: Ashley Tripp. Photos: Kristen Darken
Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 10.56.56 AM.png
Roland Shorter as Lysander and the company of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Peter Quince in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Ashley Lyons as Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sylvie Pratt as Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Roland Shorter as Lysander in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Oliver Banham as Demetrius and Ashley Lyons as Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sylvie Pratt as Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Andrew Rozen as Flut in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Brianna Wilbon as Mote, Anjoli Johnson as Cobweb, Andrew Rozen as Mustardseed, and Kiana Sorenson as Peaseblossom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Roland Shorter as Lysander, Ashley Lyons as Helena, Sarah Horn as Puck, and Oliver Banham as Demetrius in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Michael Blackburn as Oberon in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Chelsea Simmons as Titania and Noah Luce as Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Noah Luce as Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Noah Luce as Egeus in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Anjoli Johnson as Peter Quince and Kiana Sorenson as Starveling in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Andrew Rozen as Flute in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Noah Luce as Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Kiana Sorenson as Starveling in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Noah Luce as Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Oliver Banham as Demetrius and Ashley Lyons as Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Roland Shorter as Lysander and Sylvie Pratt as Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Sarah Horn as Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" at MPC Theatre Company.
Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, The Western Stage, 2021. Photos: Richard Green
Screen Shot 2022-01-26 at 12.20.17 PM.png
Antonio Rico as Gibson, Scott Free as Sam, Misha Martinez as Quincy.
Kristin Brewer as
The Company
Antonio Rico as Gibson and Christina Moore as Colleen
Jennifer L. Newman as Jenny, Misha Martinez as Quincy, Joshua Reeves as Matt
The Company
L1000556.jpg
The Company
Scott Free as Mr. Burns, Kristin Brewer as Bart, and the Company
Kristin Brewer as Bart
Kristin Brewer as Bart
Antonio Rico as Scratchy, Christina Moore as Itchy
The Company
Scott Free as Mr. Burns
L1000630.jpg
Jennifer L. Newman as Marge, Misha Martinez as Lisa
Kristin Brewer as Bart
The Company
The Company
L1000523.jpg
Scott Free as Mr. Burns
The Company
The Company
Antonio Rico as Gibson, Christina Moore as Colleen
Kristin Brewer as Bart
Copy of Macbeth Potential Poster (Facebook Post).png
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_075.jpg
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_110 2.jpg
Screenshot 2024-07-18 at 6.42.45 PM.png
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_112.jpg
Screenshot 2024-07-18 at 6.43.34 PM.png
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_124.jpg
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_060.jpg
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_091.jpg
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_057.jpg
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_087.jpg
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_086.jpg
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_064.jpg
2022_NewCanonTheaterCo_McBeth_054.jpg
Previous

Actor
Next

Educator