Jessica Fisch is a freelance director, educator, and creator based in Chicago. She is dedicated to the creation of new work, original content, and bold reinterpretations of classic texts. She has had the privilege of working on and developing plays and musicals across the country with companies such as Actors Theatre of Louisville, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens, Writers Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Drury Lane Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Playwrights’ Center Minneapolis, Playwrights Realm NYC, Public Theater’s Emerging Writers’ Group, and Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Youngbloods, among many more.
Three Productions she has directed have been named to the Chicago Tribune’s “10 Best Shows in Chicago” list (Beautiful, Cry it Out and Every Brilliant Thing), and her production of Every Brilliant Thing was named to the Chicago Sun-Times “Decade’s Best” list for the 2010s. She has received 2 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and one win for Best Director (Dear Jack, Dear Louise & Beautiful*) and four Best Production nominations and one win (Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Murder on the Orient Express and Beautiful*, The Audience)
*Jeff Award Winner.
In addition to her theatre work, Jessica, with her co-creator Grace McLeod, is the co-writer, co-director, and executive producer of the original scripted podcast series Two Truths and a Lie.
Jessica received her MFA in Directing from Northwestern University. She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and a mom to two awesome kids.
News
2026 Equity Jeff Awards:
Nomination Best Director of a Musical (Large) for Dear Evan Hansen
Nomination Best Production of a Musical (Large) for Dear Evan Hansen
Nomination Best Production of a Musical (Large) for Catch Me If You Can
Upcoming Projects
September 2025:
Catch Me If You Can
by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman and Terrence McNally
Marriott Theatre, Chicagoland
January 2026:
Dear Evan Hansen
by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Steven Levenson
Paramount Theatre, Chicagoland
April 2026:
Do Something Pretty
World Premiere by Melissa Ross
Rivendell Theatre, Chicagoland
July 2026:
The Mousetrap
by Agatha Christie
Peninsula Players, Door County, WI
September 2026:
Come From Away
by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Marriott Theatre, Chicagoland
April 2027:
Baby Shower Katie
by Beth Hyland
National Capital New Play Festival
Round House Theatre, Bethesda, MD
