Actor, Director, Professor - Jesse Graham Galas

Jesse Graham Galas (she, her) identifies as an actor, director, and professor of the performing arts. With 7 years combined experience as a professor of Theatre, 5 years experience as a Director and Assistant Director of both plays and musicals, and 28 years professional experience on the stage, she brings both crafted techniques and real world experience to the table, currently serving as the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at High Point University.
She earned her BA in Theatre from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, her MFA in Acting from Ohio University and her Teaching Certificate in Michael Chekhov Physical Acting Technique from Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. She continues to present workshops at SETC and other venues in Musical Theatre, Acting, Movement, and Stage Combat. She also serves as a Stage Combat and Intimacy Director for many shows, as she continues her education in intimacy choreography and consent-based practices in the classroom through Theatrical Intimacy Educators.

Acting Credits include: National/International Tours - (2011 - 2020) My Fair Lady "Mrs. Pearce", Guys & Dolls "General Cartwright", An American in Paris "Madame Baurel" - Big League Productions. Regional/Summer Stock: A Comedy of Tenors "Maria", An Inspector Calls "Mrs. Birling", Bright Star "Mama Murphy", See How They Run "Miss Skillon" - Okoboji Summer Theatre (2022-23).
Directing Credits include: The Seagull, Troy University; Songs for a New World, The Women of Lockerbie, Little Women, the Musical, Coker University; Lost Girl, High Point University; The Addams Family, a New Musical, High Point University (upcoming Fall 2023).

As an actor, she follows two quotes, "Acting is living truthfully in imaginary circumstances"~ Sanford Meisner and "There is no Art without Joy"~ Michael Chekhov. While most of her early work was primarily in musicals, after moving to NYC in 2010 she branched into Shakespeare and film. She has played mandolin for over 10 years, and enjoys the challenge of bringing each unique character to life.

As a director, she encourages collaborative storytelling between cast and designers in both classical and contemporary styles. From blackbox "page-to-stage" small projects to mainstage musicals, she believes theatre as an art form is essential to humanity and every story gives both the audience and the artist an opportunity to grow.

As a professor, she strives to create a brave environment where her students feel free to risk while discovering and acting on their impulses. She has taught many courses (Acting, Voice, Movement, Acting the Song, Dramatic Literature, Playscript Analysis, Film Criticism, The Business of Acting, etc.) at several universities (Troy University, Marietta College, Kennesaw State University, Coker University, and now High Point University).

Printable versions

CV (including Directing) Acting Resume

Learn More

JESSE GRAHAM GALAS

WWW.JESSEGRAHAMGALAS.COM
jessegrahamgalas@gmail.com

Vocal Range: C3 – C6 (Belt to C5)
Height: 5’5”
Pronouns: She/Her

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL / REGIONAL TOURS

An American in Paris - USA Madame Baurel Big League Productions Jeffrey Moss
My Fair Lady – USA & Canada Mrs. Pearce Big League Productions Jeffrey Moss
My Fair Lady – China, Singapore Mrs. Pearce Big League Productions Jeffrey Moss
Guys & Dolls – USA General Cartwright Big League Productions Jeffrey Moss
The Odyssey Experience - Ireland Athena Baboro International Arts Festival Christopher Parks
A Christmas Carol - USA & Canada Mrs. Fezziwig Troupe America, Inc. Pete Colburn
Always, Patsy Cline – TN, WV Louise Cumberland Co. Playhouse Terry Schwab
Smoke on the Mountain*** June Sanders Cumberland Co. Playhouse** Rhonda Wallace
***(Toured entire trilogy) **(company member – 3 years)

REGIONAL & STOCK
Moon Over Buffalo Charlotte Hay Okoboji Summer Theatre Sam Cordes
Freaky Friday Katherine Blake Okoboji Summer Theatre Josh Walden
The Last Goodbye Lady Capulet NYC Workshop Alex Timbers
The Rover Callis/Musician New York Classical Theater Karin Coonrod
Bright Star Mama Murphy Okoboji Summer Theatre Lauren Haughton
A Comedy of Tenors Maria Okoboji Summer Theatre Stephen Brotebeck
The Wolves Soccer Mom High Point University Jay Putnam
Mamma Mia! Donna Troy University Tori Lee Averett
Henry IV, Part I Mistress Quickly Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Joseph Discher
Comedy of Errors Adriana/Angelo/etc. Playhouse on Park Will Ditterline
Annie Miss Hannigan Prizery Theater Chris Jones
Steel Magnolias Truvy Derby Dinner Playhouse Jim Hesselman
A Funny Thing…Forum Domina Monomoy Theater Alan Rust

Bye Bye Birdie Mae Peterson Pioneer Summer Theater John Galas
Romeo & Juliet Lady Capulet Pioneer Summer Theater Emily Heugatter
Mamma Mia! Donna Troy University Theatre Tori Lee Averett
The Three Musketeers** Porthos Birmingham Children’s Theater Brandon Bruce

Beauty and the Beast Mme. Grand Bouche Cumberland Co. Playhouse Jim Crabtree
**Fight Choreography - Alexis Black

FILM / TV

Medal of Victory** Jean Warehouse District Productions Joshua Moise
Artificial I - Test Professor Troy Cinematography Society Hope Rangel
Death of the Cool Sukie 419 Productions John Heeg
**Distribution on Amazon Prime

TRAINING

MFA – Acting – Ohio University - 2010
Acting: Shelley Delaney, David Haugen
Voice: Laura Parroti, Brian Evans
Movement: Rebecca VerNooy

BA – Theatre - University of Tennessee, Knoxville – 1999
Voice: Andrew Wentzel; Kay Paschal

GLMCC – Michael Chekhov Physical Acting Technique - Certified Teacher Training Program, 2018: Mark Monday

SKILLS

Dialects: British RP, Cockney, Irish, French, German, Southern American, New York
Vocal Music: Soprano II, Sight reads music/Harmony, Alto Choral Experience– 30 years
Instruments: French Horn – 6 years/Rhythm Mandolin – 10 years/Various Percussion/Other instruments
Dance: Tap – 2 years, Jazz – 5 years, General “Mover” – 30 years
SAFD: SAFD Recommended Certified Intermediate Actor/Combatant, 2024: (Unarmed, Rapier & Dagger, Two-handed sword, Sword & Shield, Smallsword, Knife)
Misc. Juggling (3 rings/balls); 3x Half-Marathon Finisher; Intimacy/Stage Combat Choreographer, Valid US Passport/NC Driver’s License