The Old Globe
University of San Diego
Shiley Graduate Theatre Program
 Yadi Correa(2019) in Julius Caesardirected by Allegra Libonati |  Komi M. Gbeblewou(2022),Savannah Faye Ochran (2022), and Jeffrey Rashad (2023)Israel Palacio Photo Shoot 2022 |
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 Camilla Leonard(2023) in The Skin of Our Teethdirected by Matt Morrow photo by Daren Scott |  Bibi Mama(2020) in Stupid F**king BirdDirected by James Vasquez |
 Nora Carroll and Sam Avishay 2018 in The TempestThe Old Globe 2018 Production The Tempest photo by Jim Cox |  Morgan Taylor(2019) in Romeo and JulietDirected by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg |
 Program Director Jesse Perezdirecting Twelfth Night at The Old Globe Theatre |  Barry Edelstein with the Class of 2020Thinking Shakespeare in LOVE directed by Barry Edelstein |
 Our Town Cast 2019directed Jesca Prudencio |  Chris Cruz(2021) and Mason Conrad(2020) in Twelfth Nightdirected by Jesse Perez |
 Klarissa Robles(2021) and Mason Conrad(2020), and Chris Cruz(2021) in Twelfth Nightdirected by Jesse Perez |  Claire Simba (2021) in Twelfth Nightdirected by Jesse Perez |
 Our Town Cast 2019directed by Jesca Prudencio |  Jeffrey Rashad(2023) in the Skin of Our Teethdirected by Matt Morrow photo by Daren Scott |
 Camilla Leonard(2023) and Savannah Faye Ochran(2022) in Henry IV Part 1directed by Jesse Perez photo by Rich Soublet II |
Jesse Perez, Program Director and Craig Noel Distinguished Professor of the Old Globe University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program. The Old Globe Senior and Artistic Staff.
A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Old Globe Theatre,
directed by New York Theatre Workshop Artistic Director, Patricia McGregor
Picture of MFA: Brett Cassidy(2022), Maggie Walters( 2023), Camilla Leonard (2023), and Jacqui Dupré(2022) Photo by Rich Soublet II
"Start before you're ready."
This is a lesson I learned early on in my training in New York City. It’s how I encourage my students and colleagues to approach every task, exercise, scene, and the work as a whole as an Educator, Collaborator, Artist, and Theatre Maker.
Start, and let's see what happens.
I believe that a 21st century classical theatre program is one that needs to be in constant conversation with innovative, curious artists of all backgrounds, and walks of life that want to express their own stories. There is no denying that we live in a very diverse and challenging world. So why not hold the mirror up to nature? We are excavating and aiming to tell the big complicated stories- sometimes very difficult to hear and digest, and sometimes a celebratory piece of community. Stories that rearrange the ideas of who we are and why we are here. Whether those stories are considered classical, undiscovered, contemporary, an alternative canon, or translated from another language. We want to read them, unpack them, and perform them.
We are a classical training program and Shakespeare is one of our resident playwrights. We are extremely excited about redefining “Classical” for a new American theatre. We wrestle with, ask questions of, debunk, and celebrate the Bard according to who makes up the room. This is a place where we will have radically transparent conversations, debate, and discourse about the Classical, Modern, and Contemporary Theatre Canon. This is the beginning of our journey. We look for a spark, a love of language and text, a sense of play, a commitment to imagination, and a childlike curiosity in artists to explore anew with us every academic year.
As the first BIPOC leader of this prestigious program, I am uplifted and charged by the opportunities and changes in our work we can offer the next generation of passionate theatre makers. I look forward to talking theatre, working with you, and creating art in the the 21st century. Come join us.
- Jesse Perez, Program Director and Craig Noel Distinguished Professor of the Old Globe University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program. The Old Globe Senior and Artistic Staff.
Jesse Perez
