AVITAL

SHIRA

avital@aya.yale.edu

(503) 341- 2274

www.avitalshira.com

EDUCATION: Yale University, New Haven, CT. Class of 2009. Bachelor of Arts in English and Theater Studies with distinction in both majors. London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, London, England, Fall 2007. Semester abroad in Shakespeare and Classical Acting; classes included Alexander Technique, Clown, Historical Dance, Shakespearean/Jacobean text and performance.

DIRECTING (selected): Crumbs* (upcoming) Phantomwise Twelfth Night Nachshon* The Average Sized Mermaid Mrs. Katz and Tush* A Live Dress* The Other Grace* I Ought to be in Pictures Much Ado About Nothing Pride and Prejudice Aag** Dead Man Walking The Wizard of Oz**

Amir Shirazi Oren Stevens William Shakespeare Deborah Bodin Jessica Fleitman Patricia Polacco Martha Jane Kaufman Martha Jane Kaufman Neil Simon William Shakespeare Adapt. Marcus Goodwin Ashutosh Shelat Tim Robbins Adapt. Althea Broome dir. Scott Wentworth dir. Michael Halberstam dir. Scott Wentworth dir. Michael Halberstam dir. Kevin McKeon

Portland Fertile Ground Festival NYC Fringe Festival Portland Actors Ensemble Jewish Theatre Collaborative (OR) The Theatricians (CA) and Post5 Theatre (OR) Jewish Theatre Collaborative (OR) Portland Fertile Ground Festival Theater! Theatre! (OR) Retro Productions (OR) Yale University (CT) Yale University (CT) Search Years (Delhi, India) Yale University (CT) Willowbrook Center (OR) Denver Center Writers Theatre, IL Shakespeare Santa Cruz, CA Lincoln Center Book-It Rep. Theatre

2013 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2007 2006 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011

World Premiere NY Premiere Best Ensemble World Premiere World Premiere NW Premiere English Premiere Metcalfe Prize E. Coast Premiere World Premiere

Asst. Director Asst. Director Asst. Director SDCF Observer Asst. Director

ASSISTING (selected): Romeo and Juliet The Real Thing Henry IV, Part 1 A Ministers Wife Great Expectations

*Workshop **Educational theatre

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Jewish Theatre Collaborative, Aug 2010-present, Artistic Associate & Asst to Artistic Director Book-It Repertory Theatre, Dec 2010-Feb 2011, Artistic Intern/Asst to Artistic Directors Metropolitan Group: Strategic/Creative Services for Non Profits, December 2010, Intern Yale Drama Coalition, 2005-2009. Senior Representative/Senior Showcase Producer Freshpersons Conference, 2006-2008, Yale University. Co-coordinator

AWARDS/FELLOWSHIPS: Best Director & Best Ensemble: Twelfth Night, Portland Outdoor Shakespeare Festival (2012) SDC Observership: A Ministers Wife, Lincoln Center. Dir. by Michael Halberstam (2011) James S. Metcalfe Grand Prize Winner, Yale University. Best Essay in Drama. (2009) Branford Arts Prize, Yale University. Distinguished achievement in the Arts. (2009)

OTHER SKILLS: Drama Instructor (2001-present) in Portland, New Haven, New Jersey & Delhi Hebrew (conversational), French (basic) Choreographer (Yale School of Drama Cabaret, Yale College) Experience in Stage Management, Costume Design & Set Design Professional Singer, trained in Musical Theatre and Opera (10 years) Field Organizer for the Obama Campaign (Fall 2012)