Who is this clown?
(No, really: she started as a clown)
Jesica Garrou was born to be a director. But to become a director, you have to start from the bottom. As a child, there was nothing she enjoyed more than going to the movies or the theatre. She worked as one of the children's entertainers at a local amusement park during high school, painting kid's faces and clowning around the tea cup ride.
In college, Jesica studied stage management and performance at Franklin Pierce University in southwestern New Hampshire as well as the Richmond International College in London and the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
She holds an MBA from Western Governor's University, BA. in Mass Communications from Franklin Pierce, and a Theatre Certificate from NTI as well as professional certifications related to her work in online training and instructional design.
She is a mother of a teenager, serves on her local school board, and loves be active and outside, And she still knows how to juggle and paint a child's face.
Directing Philosophy
"Creating Something From Nothing"
In this short video essay, Jesica explains her directing philosophy and how it informs her decisions both on and off stage.
CV
Skills & Accomplishments
These are some of the highlights from Jesica's storied career in the arts.
Creative Producer
LPTW Awards Shows
2023
The League of Professional Theatre women hosts multiple award shows. These celebrations feature speakers Anne Bogart, Ang Lee and Rev. Al Sharpton. Awardees included Anna Deavere Smith , Petrona de la Cruz, and the late Lenore DeKoven
Event Manager
2022 and 2023
This annual tradition brings in 20-50k people to a town of 9k. Jesica managed the entertainment including booking bands and performers, escorting the mascot, collecting contracts and maintaining the budget.
Executive and Artistic Director
Royal River Community Players
2016 - 2020
Noticing a lack of theatre opportunity, Jesica founded and ran this multi-generational theatre organization including directing, fundraising and building a black box theatre.
Education Designer & Leader
Ogunquit Playhouse
Summer 2020
Hired to direct 2 shows as part of the education portion of the summer series due to COVID-19 we made a rapid shift from the standard season of summer stock to online classes.
Training Development & Design
Aha Moments, LLC
2007 - 2021
Specializing in online delivery of corporate training and performances. Highly-regarded and sought after, with frequent re-hires for additional projects.