BIO
he/him/his - what’s this?
Justin Verstraete is a multi-talented theatre artist, a proud graduate of the Theatre Department at Bradley University, and a 13 year veteran of the Chicago Theatre scene.
Justin spends the majority of his artistic time choreographing fights and directing - to see a complete list of his work go to Resumes or simply click FIGHT or DIRECT. Even though he loves to fight and direct, he equally loves when people want him to ACT in their plays.
He was most recently seen as “Mike” in the world premiere of (NON) FICTION by Jillian Leff, which set box office records for The Right Brain Project Theatre. An accolade he is very proud to tout.
Justin always has an idea floating around in his head and continues his journey in PLAYWRITING. He is a proud member of the Chicago Playwright’s Group and is a graduate of The Writer’s Room @ The New Coordinates Theatre.
He is also beginning his foray into becoming an INTIMACY director/choreographer. He wants to do his part in helping building a safer theatre community for ALL artists.
Pre-pandemic Justin was a proud Company Member and Resident Fight Choreographer for The Right Brain Project, Company Member and Resident Director of Reutan Theatre Collective, Company Member and Resident Fight Choreographer for Rough Theatre Co, Artistic Director, Resident Fight Choreographer, and Resident Director of Teatro Necessario.
Justin is also an Affiliate Instructor at his alma mater Bradley University where he specializes in stage combat.
One of Justin's proudest achievements thus far has been being one of the co-creators of FIGHT QUEST alongside Kai Young and Bennett Decker-Bottero. FIGHT QUEST has had multiple incarnations and is a "Choose Your Own Adventure Fight Show" produced by Otherworld Theatre. It's basically a massive stage combat / improvised comedy / epic quest / impossible puzzle / mind bending evening of entertainment unlike anything you've ever seen before in your life.
His personal artistic mission is to create and entertain using his four key artistic pillars: specificity, urgency, negative space, and spectacle.
Justin also challenges himself every year with frequent trips to the movie theatre - re: the #52movies52weeks challenge. This challenge is a chronicle, a road map for his on-going learning process in regards to story telling. Narrowing down what type of storytelling he does or does not enjoy. Articulating the wonderful/absurd and infusing the best stuff he finds into his various art forms.
Contact
For all booking inquires whether it be for Fights, Directing, Acting, Intimacy or Script requests please send an email to
Follow Justin
Twitter & Instagram
