Rachel Blackburn

I'm Rachel (she/her/hers), and I am a director and performer. I am particularly interested in work that engages with the socially conscious, absurd, dark humor, devised, and all manner and variety of comedy. I worked in the UK directing stage work and leading workshops for a time, and have since worked in Toronto, Dublin, and New York City as well.

Credits

“Beth Van Buren,” War of the Worlds, Beyond Boundaries Theatre (UK), 2020

Director, Devising Comedy Super Spectacular, Columbus State University
Theatre Dept., 2019

Director, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Columbus State University Theatre Dept., 2019

"Messenger/Narrator," Leah and the Dybbuk. Ohio State University Theatre Dept., 2018

“Megan,” Death by Dolly, The Percolator, 2017

“Angela,” THANK YOU NOTES: Headed To Heaven W/ Flat Jimmy Fallon, The Percolator, 2016

Director, Oh Hell, Theatre Lawrence, 2016

Director, Skull for Skull, Thunderbird Theatre, 2016

“Charlotte Salomon,” Showing Charlotte, Theatre Lawrence, 2015

Director, The Last Cyclist, University of Kansas Theatre, 2014

“Ursula,” and “Bartender,” La Prodigiosa Tarde de Baltazar, or Balthazar’s Marvelous Afternoon, Kansas Classical Repertory Theatre, 2014

Director, F*ck Me in Yiddish, 2014

Director, Swan Song: Chekhov/Neil, The Shop, 2013

Dramaturge, Agamemnon Home, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, New York, NY, 2012

“Maureen,” On the Line, The Shop, 2012

Director, A Corner of the World, Shafer Alliance Theatre, 2012

Director, Sylvia, Burl-Oak Theatre Group, Toronto, ON, 2011

“Melissa Duncan,”Mr. Philbin, Toronto, ON, 2011

Director, The Gypsy and the Toreador, Ash Lawn Opera Festival, 2008

Director, Babes in Toyland, Owasso Theatre, 2007

Director, Hide and Shriek, Broken Arrow Playhouse, 2007

“Anne Frank,” The Diary of Anne Frank, American Theatre Company, 2007

Assistant Director, The Shadowbox, Southwark Playhouse, London, UK, 2006

Assistant Director, The Ark, The Bride, The Coffin, Fluff Productions, London, UK., 2006

Assistant Director, Cariad, Operating Theatre Company, London, UK., 2006

Ensemble, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Really Useful Company, U.S. National Tour, (*Tulsa, OK leg), 1996

Training

Ph.D., Performance Studies, University of Kansas, 2018
M.F.A., Direction and performance, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013
B.A. Directing, Conservatory of Theatre Arts, 2005

• Intimacy Direction and Coordination, Shakespeare Playhouse Tavern (Atlanta, GA), Instructor Dan Granke. Nov. 2019

• Theatre of Boal Workshop, Calder Theatre (London, UK), Instructor Tereza Araujo. Dec. 2012

• Stand-Up Comedy Workshop, Virginia Commonwealth University, Instructor Stephen Rosenfield. Nov. and Feb. 2011-12

• Acting Workshop, The Actor’s Gang Theatre Company (based in Los Angeles, CA). April 2008