J.R. Sullivan Curriculum Vitae

Director, Writer Member, SSDC; AEA

 

Upcoming:

Updates coming soon.

2018 – 2022

Interim Artistic Director, Irish Theatre of Chicago

2009 – 2013

Artistic Director, Pearl Theatre Company, New York City 2011 Drama Desk Award for the Pearl Theatre Company “For notable productions of classic plays and nurturing a stalwart resident acting company.”

2002 – 2009

Associate Artistic Director, Utah Shakespearean Festival Serving on the Festival’s artistic management team while also directing two productions each season. Supervising the ongoing artistic management of Festival productions from planning to pre-production to performance. Assisting in play selection, casting, and the selection of directors and designers. Participating in long-range strategic planning as well as serving as a spokesperson for the Festival at selected press and public events. 

1972 – 1994

Founder and Producing Artistic Director, New American Theater; Rockford, Illinois Produced 22 seasons totaling more than 200 productions, directing three to five of these productions each season. Responsible for creating and guiding the artistic mission and plan for the company, as well as developing and maintaining company policies and procedures. Established and coordinated programs in Development and Marketing; also established Outreach and Community Service programs that included Touring (schools, community centers, parks, seniors) and Education. Created two adjunct performance companies, an all-city high school troupe called the Young American Theater, and a community artists program, the Black Theater Ensemble.  Spearheaded and successfully concluded a 1.8 million dollar campaign to renovate a central city location into the New American Theater Center in 1985.

1982 – 1989

Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Beloit College Festival Theatre; Beloit, Wisconsin In association with Beloit College, established a summer season home for the New American Theater Company. Produced 8 seasons totaling 27 productions, directing one to two of these each season. Responsible for administering the artistic and management plan for the theater. Worked in conjunction with college administrative personnel in development, marketing, and public relations activities.

Representative Directing Credits

Off-Broadway

  • DAYS TO COME, Hellman – Mint Theater Company, 2018
  • THIS SIDE OF NEVERLAND, Barrie, Pearl Theatre Co., 2013
  • A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN, O’Neill, Pearl Theatre Co., 2012
  • RICHARD II, Shakespeare, Pearl Theatre Co., 2011
  • WITTENBERG, Davalos, Pearl Theatre Co., 2011
  • THE SNEEZE, Chekhov/Frayn, Pearl Theatre Co., 2010
  • HARD TIMES, Dickens, Pearl Theatre Co., 2010
  • THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, Synge, Pearl Theatre Co., 2009
  • TWELFTH NIGHT, Shakespeare, Pearl Theatre Co., 2009
  • THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Wilde, Pearl Theatre Co., 2008
  • BIOGRAPHY, Behrman, Pearl Theatre Co., 2007
  • WIDOWERS’ HOUSES, Shaw, Pearl Theatre Co., 2005
  • MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Shakespeare, Pearl Theatre Co., 2002

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

  • AS YOU LIKE IT, Shakespeare, 2007
  • ROOM SERVICE, Murray/Boretz, 2005

Utah Shakespearean Festival

  • ROMEO AND JULIET, Shakespeare, 2017
  • THE ODD COUPLE, Simon, 2016
  • AMADEUS, Shaffer, 2015
  • SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE, Dietz, 2014
  • STONES IN HIS POCKETS, Jones, 2013
  • THE GLASS MENAGERIE, Williams, 2011
  • HENRY V, Shakespeare, 2009
  • GASLIGHT (ANGEL STREET), Hamilton, 2008
  • OTHELLO, Shakespeare, 2008
  • ‘ART’, Reza/Hampton, 2007
  • KING LEAR, Shakespeare, 2007
  • MERCHANT OF VENICE, Shakespeare, 2006
  • HAMLET, Shakespeare, 2006
  • ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, Shakespeare, 2005
  • STONES IN HIS POCKETS, Jones, 2005
  • MACBETH, Shakespeare, 2004
  • 1 HENRY IV, Shakespeare, 2004
  • THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Wilde, 2003
  • RICHARD III, Shakespeare, 2003
  • I HATE HAMLET, Rudnick ,2002
  • ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, Kesselring, 2001
  • DRIVING MISS DAISY, Uhry, 2000
  • YOU NEVER CAN TELL, Shaw, 1999

Regional

  • DOUBT, Shanley – Irish Theatre of Chicago at U. of Notre Dame, 2020
  • BLOOMSDAY, Dietz – Remy Bumppo Theatre, 2019
  • SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, Hanreddy and Sullivan as adapted from Austen – Lyric Rep, 2018
  • CHRISTMAS AT CHRISTINE’S, Bunuan – Silk Road Rising, 2016
  • THE MOUSETRAP, Christie, Milwaukee Rep, 2015
  • THE 39 STEPS, Barlow, Repertory Ensemble Players, 2015
  • STRANDLINE, Spallen, A Red Orchid Theatre, 2014
  • HAIR, Rado, Ragni, MacDermot – American Theater Company – Co-director, 2014
  • STONES IN HIS POCKETS, Jones, Northlight Theatre, 2013
  • THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, McDonagh, REP (University of Delaware), 2012
  • THE 39 STEPS, Barlow, Milwaukee Rep, 2011
  • THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS, Rambo, Milwaukee Rep, 2009
  • PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Hanreddy & Sullivan, Milwaukee Rep, 2009
  • GREATER TUNA, Williams & Sears, Milwaukee Rep, 2008
  • WITTENBERG (Premiere) Davalo, Arden Theatre, 2008
  • DOUBT Shanley Milwaukee Rep 2007
  • BORN YESTERDAY Kanin Milwaukee Rep 2006
  • STONES IN HIS POCKETS Jones New American 2006
  • LAUGHING STOCK Morey Milwaukee Rep 2005
  • YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU Hart & Kaufman, Milwaukee Rep 2004
  • BARRYMORE Luce Milwaukee Rep 2004
  • THE SYRINGA TREE Gien Studio Theatre (Wash. DC) 2004
  • THE FOREIGNER Shue Milwaukee Rep 2003
  • BARRYMORE Luce American Players 2003
  • THE LARAMIE PROJECT Kauffman/Tectonic Group, Madison Rep 2003
  • PROOF Auburn Milwaukee Rep 2003 1001
  • AFTERNOONS IN CHICAGO Peditto/Hecht Prop Theatre 2002
  • A DELICATE BALANCE Albee Delaware Th. Co. 2002
  • LOBBY HERO Lonergan Studio Theatre 2002
  • GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Mamet Delaware Th. Co. 2001
  • WILD DISTANT STAR (Premiere) Smith-Melton Southwest Rep 2001
  • WAITING FOR GODOT Beckett Milwaukee Chamber Theatre 2001
  • WIT Edson Milwaukee Rep 2001 TRUDY BLUE Norman Studio Theatre 2001
  • BETTY’S SUMMER VACATION Durang Studio Theatre 2000
  • PYGMALION Shaw Milwaukee Chamber Theatre 2000
  • OF MICE AND MEN Steinbeck Milwaukee Rep 2000
  • DRACULA Dietz Milwaukee Rep 1999
  • THE DESK SET Marchant/Ephron Studio Theatre 1999
  • THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA Williams Milwaukee Chamber Theatre 1999
  • THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO Uhry Milwaukee Rep 1998
  • WILD OATS O’Keefe American Players 1998
  • ONE TOUCH OF VENUS Nash/Weill Chi. Light Opera 1998
  • THE LAST SURVIVOR (Premiere) Reissa Northlight Theatre 1998
  • INSPECTING CAROL Sullivan Milwaukee Rep 1997 GOOD Taylor Theatre X 1997
  • CYRANO DE BERGERAC Rostand/Burgess American Players 1997
  • THE FOREIGNER Shue Madison Rep 1997 1001
  • AFTERNOONS IN CHICAGO (Premiere) Peditto/Hecht Live Bait Theatre 1997
  • ALL IN THE TIMING Ives Milwaukee Rep 1997
  • KING JOHN Shakespeare Motley Crew 1996
  • THE COUNTRY WIFE Wycherley American Players 1996
  • UNQUESTIONED INTEGRITY Hunt Onyx Theatre 1996
  • WONDERFUL TENNESSEE Friel Touchstone Theatre 1995
  • FAITH HEALER Friel Turn Around/Steppenwolf Th. 1995
  • EVELYN & THE POLKA KING Olive Next Act Theatre 1994
  • I HATE HAMLET Rudnick Madison Rep 1993
  • THE CHASTITUTE (USA Premiere) Keane Milwaukee Rep 1989
  • THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ (USA Premiere) Segal/O’Connor Milwaukee Rep 1988
  • BENEFACTORS Frayn Northlight Theatre 1987

Festival Theatre (representative list)

  • THE BUNKHOUSE (Premiere)
  • THE GIN GAME
  • PRIVATE LIVES
  • CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
  • OF MICE AND MEN
  • A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

International

Vasil Drumev Dramatic Theatre, Shumen, Bulgaria (Under the aegis of the International Theatre Institute and the United States Information Agency)
  • ALL MY SONS, Miller, 1988
  • ON GOLDEN POND, Thompson, 1989
Turgenev Dramatic Theatre, Orel, USSR
  • FOOL FOR LOVE, Shepard, 1991

University and College

  • THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Wilde – Nevada Conservatory Theatre, UNLV, 2018
  • TWELFTH NIGHT, Shakespeare – Wayne State University, 2017
  • ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, Stoppard – Southern Utah University, 2017
  • TWELFTH NIGHT, Shakespeare, Kent State University MFA Program, 2009
  • THE RIVALS, Sheridan, Penn State University MFA Program, 2006
  • THE COUNTRY WIFE, Wycherley, University of South Carolina MFA Program, 2006
  • LOVE’S LABOURS LOST, Shakespeare, University of South Carolina MFA Program, 2004
  • LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN, Wilde, University of California/Irvine MFA Program, 2003
  • ARCADIA, Stoppard, Beloit College, 2000
  • ARMS AND THE MAN, Shaw, University of Delaware Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP), 1998
  • YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU Kaufman & Hart, University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee, MFA Professional Theatre Training Program, 1997
  • MISS JULIE, Strindberg, University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee MFA Professional Theatre Training Program, 1996

BELOIT COLLEGE Productions, 1979-1985

  • SCAPINO!
  • MOONCHILDREN
  • SPOKESONG
  • 13 RUE DE L’AMOUR
  • MINNESOTA MOON
  • SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS

Teaching

Instructor, Second City Training Center, Chicago, Illinois Beginning Acting/Scene Study, 1994 -1998 Visiting Instructor, Beloit College Department of Theatre Arts, Beloit, Wisconsin Intermediate and Advanced Acting, Auditioning, Directing, Theatre Management 1979  – 1988 Instructor, New American Theater Drama School, Rockford, Illinois Acting, Theatre History, 1972 – 1990

Writing/Producing/Performing

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE,  from Austen Adapted in collaboration with Joseph Hanreddy, 2008 Performed at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Rep, Roundhouse Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, PCPA, People’s Light, American Players Theater SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, from Austen Adapted in collaboration with Joseph Hanreddy, 2014 Performed at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Sacramento Theatre Co., People’s Light, Connecticut Rep, PCPA, Lyric Rep J.R. SULLIVAN’S HOMETOWN HOLIDAY 1994-2019 Twenty four productions: Memorial Hall, Rockford, IL, 1994-2006; J. R. Sullivan Theater, The Nordlof Center, Rockford, 2007-2019 Broadcast over Northern Public Radio, WNIU-WNIJ, Northern Public Radio, 1998-2011. A CHRISTMAS CAROL,  from Dickens, 1991 THE NEW SPOON RIVER, from Masters, 1985 FIREHOUSE RITES (original play), 1978 AN EVENING WITH BEN HECHT,  from Hecht, 1972 Performed as one-man show, 1972 – 2006

Acting (representative list)

  • BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, Anna Moench – John (Broadway-World Connecticut Award nomination: Best Actor, 2019)
  • DANCING AT LUGHNASA, Michael
  • ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, Mortimer Brewster
  • GUYS AND DOLLS, Nathan Detroit
  • THE FRONT PAGE, Walter Burns
  • WHOSE LIFE IS IT, ANYWAY?, Ken Harrison
  • JOE EGG, Brian
  • THREE MEN ON A HORSE , Patsy
  • HUGHIE, Erie Smith
  • ARMS AND THE MAN, Bluntschli
  • AN AMERICAN DREAM, Daddy

Other

  • Member, American Delegation, International Theatre Institute, 1984.
  • One of five American theater directors invited to visit and observe the work of theater artists in West Berlin, East Berlin, Bulgaria, France.
  • Member, Illinois Arts Council Theater Panel, 1986-1988, 1990-1992.
  • Guest Commentator, Northern Public Radio, WNIU-WNIJ, 1991-1994.

Awards/Citations

Rockford Park District Distinguished Service Award – 1994 Beloit College Distinguished Alumni Award – 1991 The Mayor’s Arts Award (Rockford) – 1990 Honorary Life Member, Illinois Theatre Association – 1982 Rockford Chamber of Commerce Forward Rockford Award – 1981 Rockford Jaycees Distinguished Service Award – 1979

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Beloit College – 1972 Theatre Arts/English Composition