Julie Beckman

I am a freelance director, adapter and educator.  I am currently directing the world premiere of a social justice musical entitled Grace on the Margins which will debut in April, and a new adaptation of an Edith Wharton novella called The Bunner Sisters.  Recent work includes The Bells with Strawberry Theatre Workshop which received three Seattle Times Footlight Awards (Top Play Production, Outstanding Acting, and Design Magic).   Previous work includes The Betty Plays at Theater Schmeater, Crooked at Seattle Public Theatre, and Angels Fall with Our American Theatre Company.  In 2009, my production of The Elephant Man with Strawberry Theatre Workshop received four nominations in the first Gregory Awards: Outstanding Director, Outstanding Production, Outstanding Actor and Person to Watch. According to the Gregory awards: "Julie Beckman's direction, along with some of Seattle's most skilled performers, made for one of this season's most heartbreaking and beautiful nights of theatre." I previously directed Fellow Passengers for Strawshop, and have directed and adapted Jane Eyre, Hard Times and Waxwings for Book-It, all of which have been recommended by local publications. Other Seattle credits include pieces in the 2010 and 2009 Young Playwrights' Festival at ACT, 14/48, the original Five x Tenn and Trilogy of Terror at Stone Soup. I have in an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University and a BA from Georgetown University.  Outside of Seattle, my work has been seen in Chicago, Atlanta, Washington D.C., St. Louis and Cincinnati. I have directed at several universities, including Cornish College (Hard Times) and UW (Secret in the Wings) and I taught and directed for several years at the Seattle Waldorf High School. I believe passionately in the power of theatre to transform lives, and I am very happy to be doing the work that I love.

Professions/skills: Educator;Director Adapter