Theatrical & FILM DIRECTING RESUME
Rough Magic
Director
Written By Roberto Aguirre-Sacassa
Teatro Necessario
July 27 - July 29, 2012
In the middle of the worst heat wave in recorded history, Chicago is engulfed in flames once again by an evil doer from a far off place. To combat this supernatural foe, a band of unlikely heroes (a dramaturg, a lifeguard, and a drag queen) will emerge from the ashes to save the city and its citizens from complete and utter destruction.
Two's A Murder, Four's A Scandal
Director
Written and Conceived by Katy Robinson
Teatro Necessario
June 26 - July 17, 2011
A classic who-dun-it story with a modern Clue-like twist. With 4 seemingly guilty suspects - all with perfect motives - the death of Susan Owen is shrouded in mystery and the papers are starting to catch wind of a scandal. Will detective extraordinaire Herbert Masters be able to crack the case and in doing un-tarnish his good name? This all new production features live singing, dancing, a 3 piece band, and audience participation.
Fight quest: The Lair of Lost heroEs
DIRECTOR
Created by Bennett Decker Bottero, Kai Young, & Justin Verstraete
Written by Bennett Decker Bottero
Otherworld Theatre Company
May 26, May 27, June 2, June 3, June 9 at 10:30pm, 2017
Choose your champion- Demi-God, Ranger, Monk, Rogue or Mage and play beside them as you guide their path. Root for them as you watch your chosen champion fight enemies with the spectacle of fight choreography. In the midst of intrigue and choices, plenty of fights await you. If adventure and glory call out to you, the Game Master will see you now.
knights of the sales office
Director
Written by Hank Greene
Directed by Justin Verstraete
March 7, 2020
The Right Brain Project
Once upon a time, there was a kingdom known as the Minneapolis branch of the Hamilton Media Company, where three knights lived in perfect mediocrity. Each day was the same as the day that had come before it, and each knight did their sworn duty to the kingdom as they were instructed to by the Lords of Corporate Headquarters. But all was not well, in the kingdom…you see, the three knights had been tricked by the Lords into believing that they held power, and control over their destinies. But alas…their lives were but mere pawns – sacrificed and interchanged as pleased the Lords. Until one day a noble leader called Clybourne sacrificed his own life to lift the veil of ignorance from the eyes of the knights, and the three set off on an epic quest to build a fortress, battle the Realm of the Rodents, and reclaim their DESTINY. THIS…IS THEIR…STORY!
American Macabre
Director & Fight Choreographer
Story by Sean Patrick Cummings
Written by Sean Patrick Cummings & Justin Verstraete
Reutan Theatre Collective
September 13 - 29, 2018
2nd Annual Nox Arca Festival featuring pieces from Reutan Theatre Collective, Death and Pretzels, and Dead Whale Productions.
It's the Fourth of July and Abigail has finally convinced her new beau to introduce her to his closest friends. What a better to break the ice, she thinks, than the barbecue that the group throws every year? What may seem like an idyllic holiday party one would find in an Ira Levin novel, is actually a game from the inner sanctum of Tyler Durden's imagination; a game in which they brawl one another for a piece of the "American Dream."
george and the floating cookbook
Director
Written by Fee Basanavicius
Assistant Director Shannon Bachelder
Reutan Theatre Collective
Fall 2017
Produced in conjunction with the Nox Arca: Evening of One Acts
George wakes up in the middle of the night to what he thinks is an intruder, but turns out to be a ghost that’s been haunting his kitchen for the past 13 years. When George figures out his problem is beyond this world, he deals with the situation the best way he knows how to: by talking it out. He quickly learns that the most difficult part of his evening won’t be getting rid of an angry spirit, but finding closure.
FIght quest 4 PEACE
Co-DIRECTOR
Created by Bennett Decker Bottero, Kai Young, & Justin Verstraete
Written by Bennett Decker Bottero
Otherworld Theatre
June 15-July 7, 2018
Fight Quest, Otherworld's popular choose your own adventure style show, returns for a fourth installment as the new, epic superhero genre base, Fight Quest 4 Peace. Join us each night as we build the story arc of a never before seen superhero from audience suggestion. There will be twists, surprises, and -as always, plenty of fights! Will justice prevail or will a new villain rise?
The Violent Hour
Assistant Director
Written By Sean Cummings
The Rough Theatre Company
February 7 & 8, 2014
An evening of original "violent" theatre from the minds that brought you Two's A Murder, Four's A Scandal & Rough Magic
AMERICAN MACABRE
Director & Fight CHoreographer
Story by Sean Patrick Cummings
Written by Sean Patrick Cummings & Justin Verstraete
The Rough Theatre Company
July 12, 2014
It's the Fourth of July and Abigail has finally convinced her new beau to introduce her to his closest friends. What a better setting to break the ice, she thinks, than the barbeque that the group throws every year? What may seem like an idyllic holiday party one would find in an Ira Levin novel, is actually a game from the inner sanctum of Tyler Durden's imagination; a game in which they brawl one another for a piece of the "American Dream."
Pineapple Upside
Director
Written by Jeff Auerbach
Prologue Theatre Company
September 1-10, 2014
If you were abducted by Canadians...wait, no...I mean Magicians....no...Space Aliens! Yes! Space Aliens! If you were abducted by Space Aliens, would you be able to explain to them what a pineapple is?
A Place of Mist and Shadows
Director
Written by Joseph Zettelmaier
Assistant Director Brian Zinda
Otherworld Theatre Company
August 22-23rd, 2015
PARAGON: A SCI-FI + Fantasy Play Festival
Paragon audiences will witness a séance before their very eyes as they are led to a place of mist and shadow by the world’s only accredited Specterist, Anton DuVane.
Can Cause Death
Director
Written by Gerry Ringwald
Assistant Director Brian Zinda
Otherworld Theatre Company
August 22-23rd, 2015
PARAGON: A SCI-FI + Fantasy Play Festival
Imagine a “miracle” skin cream that reverses early-stage skin cancer and gives you a bold radiant tan. Before you buy, however, make sure to read the fine print for side effects. It can cause death.
disaster movie
Director
Written by Jesse Weaver
The Side Project Theatre
January 7-31, 2016
16th Anniversary One Act Play Festival - Tail Eats Snake: Part Duex
"Remember what I taught you? Don't ever start a pitch meeting with a "thank you." A "thank you" at the start immediately weakens your position."
a forest Dark
Director
Written by Shantelle Szyper
The Right Brain Project
Sunday October 29, 2017
A Forest Dark will be performed as a part of series of Halloween theme short pieces devised by the company members and artistic associates of the Right Brain Project.
BIG WEIGHT
Director
Written by Justin Verstraete
Sunday July 22nd, 2018
The Right Brain Project
Is there more to life than being BIG?
The Monologue Experiment
Director
Written and Performed by Justin Verstraete
Reutan Theatre Collective
Sunday March 25. 2018
You rehearse and you rehearse and you rehearse a monologue to the point ad nauseaum just for the chance to perform it in front of some strangers for 1 minute in the hopes of getting job. But what happens if you introduce audience members in your piece? Will it make the piece more alive? Will the volunteers have any clue what you are talking about and act accordingly to you tactics? That's what I hope to find out.
Mortal Kombat is real...
Director
By Sarah Francis McMillan
April 14th, 2018 @ 7pm
Reutan Theatre Collective
@Lincoln Lofts
Write, Direct, Choreograph, and & Perform in 48 Hours
fight quest: The Bandits of hollow hill
Assistant director
Created by Bennett Decker Bottero, Kai Young, & Justin Verstraete
Written by Bennett Decker Bottero
Directed by Moira Begale
Comedy Sportz June 8-July 27, 2016
"Their fate is in your hands."
Judgment Call
Director
Written By Frederick Stroppel
Bradley University Theatre - New Faces 2008 - Dec 2 & 3, 2008
"Baseball is more than a living. It's a game." Three Major League umpires enter into Spring Training with one goal in mind, earn the top spots on the 10 Best American League Umpires list. Frank, however, has seemed to have lost his way after botching a call at second base the previous season which he believes lead to the suicide of a young respectable player.
PROFESSIONAL FILM DIRECTING RESUME
Donkey lady
Director
Produced by Not Your Mother’s Baby in collaboration with Ruetan Theatre Collective
Urban Legends all have a ring of truth...
