Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Dina Janis

Dina Janis

Summary

Gifted director, actor and teacher known for nurturing and producing new work for the stage. Community builder who believes that theater should and can be like the "kitchen table" of the community, serving as a window and a mirror.

Work History

Artistic Director

Vermont Public Theater
09.2022 - Current


  • A growing collective of theater artists and community members from region, inspired by idea that theater can exist in many different forms and in many different spaces, some traditional and some innovative in nature.

Bennington College Drama Faculty

Bennington College
09.2000 - Current
  • Core Faculty in Acting, New Play Development, Directing, and Script Interpretation
  • Directed many Faculty Productions of new plays, including works by Stephen Adly Guirgis, Sherry Kramer, Lucy Thurber, Lisa D'Amour and others
  • Ran the college's Lucille Lortel Fellowship Program
  • Served as host for acclaimed LAByrinth Theater Company Summer Intensives 2017-2020
  • Committees and initiatives: Strategic Planning Committee, Curriculum Planning Committee, DEI Initiatives and Training
  • Served as host for Primary Stages ESPA Retreats



Artistic Director

Dorset Theatre Festival
01.2010 - 09.2022
  • Shepherded historic and struggling company over 13 year tenure, re-imagining programming focused on new play premieres and community engagement.
  • Directed day-to-day business operations and made strategic decisions to further organizational goals and fiscal objectives.
  • Hired all design teams, directors, and seasonal staff
  • Auditioned and cast all main stage productions and developmental readings
  • Partnered with Development Consultant on all Foundation, Corporate, Government and Individual fundraising.
  • Implemented artistic vision to give art purpose and meaning.
  • Oversaw all marketing and press
  • Oversaw and taught in all educational programming including renowned Young Playwrights Program over 8 year period
  • Created and led all New Play Development Programming including Commissioning and Fellowship Program, Pipeline Series, and StageFree Audio Podcast Series.
  • Acted as line producer on all main stage productions
  • Designed and ran Festival's Apprentice Program

Education

Kim Stanley - Acting

Master Class With Kim Stanley
NYC

Uta Hagen - Acting, Movement, Voice

Conservatory
HB Studios- NYC

Stella Adler - Acting, Script Analysis

Master Acting Class With Stella Adler
New York, NY

Actors Studio - Acting, New Play Development, Directing

Lifetime Member
NYC

Steppenwolf Theater Company - Acting, Directing, Producing

Original Member
Chicago
1976

Skills

  • New Play Development Dramaturgy
  • Producing for Theater
  • Mindful and inclusive leadership style
  • Strong grassroots marketing and community building skills
  • Passionate teaching approach

Timeline

Artistic Director

Vermont Public Theater
09.2022 - Current

Artistic Director

Dorset Theatre Festival
01.2010 - 09.2022

Bennington College Drama Faculty

Bennington College
09.2000 - Current

Kim Stanley - Acting

Master Class With Kim Stanley

Uta Hagen - Acting, Movement, Voice

Conservatory

Stella Adler - Acting, Script Analysis

Master Acting Class With Stella Adler

Actors Studio - Acting, New Play Development, Directing

Lifetime Member

Steppenwolf Theater Company - Acting, Directing, Producing

Original Member
Dina Janis