Directing

click photo or title for more

written by Marcus Gardley
directed by Tess Cruz

produced by N.Y.U. Tisch
produced at Paul Walker Theater

scenic by Joseph Jin
lighting by Annie Garrett-Larson
costumes by Xorlali Plange
stage management by Chaz Strickland

photos by Ella Bromlin

music and lyrics by Greg Kotis
book and lyrics by Mark Hollman
directed by Tess Cruz
musical direction by Jill Brunelle

produced by Connecticut College Theater and Dance
produced at Palmer Auditorium

scenic by Elizabeth Olson
lighting by Sam Biondiollo
costumes by Sabrina Notarfrancisco
choreography by Emily Brankman and Ava Dobro

photos by Elizabeth Olson and Sean Elliot

written by Mattie Barber-Bockelman
directed by Tess Cruz

produced by the VORTEX

scenic by Tess Cruz and Alex Cogburn
lighting by Brandi Alexander
sound by Johann Solo
puppets by Lilly Percifield

photos by Errich Peterson

drive-thru telling conceived by Bonnie Cullum

Sea Monsters and Island of Calypso directed by Tess Cruz
Sea Monsters written by Jeremy Rashad Brown
Island of Calypso written by Trey Deason

produced by the VORTEX
managed by Tess Cruz, Johann Solo, and Bonnie Cullum

scenic by Ann Marie Gordon
lighting by Rachel Hess
sound by Johann Solo


photos by Errich Peterson

written by Aristophanes
directed by Lillian Wooten White & Tess Cruz

produced by Juncture Mobile Theater Lab

production design by Samantha Butler
assistant design by Brandi Alexander

ensemble: Rosie McInnis, Julia Melfi, Aylin Eker, Mattie Barber-Bockelman


photos by Samantha Butler

Associate Directing

…iphigenia

written by Wayne Shorter & esperanza spalding
directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz

produced by Jeff Tang, esperanza spalding, Cath Britt, & Octopus Theatricals
produced at MassMoca, ArtsEmerson, The Kennedy Center, CalPerformances, The Broad Stage

scenic by Frank Gehry
lighting by Jen Schriever
sound by
costumes by Montana Levi Blanco

photo by Ben Gibbs

Assistant Directing

Lunch Bunch

written by Adrian Enspanier
directed by Tara Ahmadinejad

produced by PlayCo & Clubbed Thumb
produced at 122CC

scenic by Jean Kim
lighting by Oona Curley
sound by Ben Vigus
costumes by Alice Tavener

photo by Julieta Cervantes

HYPROV

created by Asad Mecci
directed by Stan Zimmerman

produced by Cody Lassen
produced at Daryl Roth Theater

scenic by Jo Winiarski
lighting by Jeff Croiter
sound by John Hilsen and Rufus Wainwright


photo by Carol Rosegg

Skin of our Teeth

written by Thorton Wilder & Brandon Jacob-Jenkins
directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz

produced by Lincoln Center Theater
produced at Vivian Beaumont Theater

scenic by Adam Rigg
lighting by Yi Zhao
sound by Palmer Hefferan
costumes by Montana Levi Blanco
projections by Hannah Wasileski

photo by Julieta Cervantes.

Más Cara

written by Krysta Gonzalez
directed by Rudy Ramirez

produced by Teatro Vivo & The VORTEX
produced at The VORTEX

choreography by Mario Alberto Ramirez
scenic by Alex Casillas
lighting by Patrick Anthony
sound by Johann Solo
costumes by Aaron Kubacak

photo by Errich Petersen

TIMBUKTU, USA

written by Kenneth Prestininzi
directed by Kenneth Prestininzi

produced by Sleeping Weazel
produced at Boston Playwrights’ Theater

scenic by Samantha Butler
lighting by Aja Jackson
sound by Teresa Cruz
fight choreography by Drew Frayre

photo by David Marshall

Water by the Spoonful

written by Quiara Alegría Hudes
directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz

produced by Center Theater Group
produced at Mark Taper Forum

scenic by Adam Rigg
lighting by Yi Zhao
sound by Jane Shaw
costumes by Raquel Barreto
projections by Hannah Wasileski

photo by Craig Schwartz

Henry IV, part 1

written by William Shakespeare
directed by thee Lileana Blain-Cruz

produced by Oregon Shakespeare Festival
produced at OSF’s Thomas Theater

scenic by Adam Rigg
lighting by Yi Zhao
sound by Palmer Hefferan
costumes by Dede Ayite

photo by Jenny Graham