Kirsten Brandt
Director (SSDC)
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An award-winning director, producer, playwright and adaptor Kirsten Brandt was the Artistic Director of
the nationally recognized cutting-edge company Sledgehammer Theatre for six years. Under her tenure
the company created twenty-three theatrical events, including nine world premieres and five west coast
premieres. She directed fifteen productions for Sledgehammer. She co-founded the first women’s
performance festival in San Diego, DURGA and created Sledgehammer’s first educational outreach
program, STEP. She studied directing at the University of California, San Diego and playwrighting at the
University of Birmingham, England with David Edgar and Claire McIntyre. She is currently the Associate
Artistic Director of San Jose Repertory Theatre and a lecturer at UC santa Cruz.
DIRECTING
2008
THIRD* by Wendy Wasserstein, Theatreworks (January 2008)
2007
THIS WONDERFUL LIFE by Steven Murray, San Jose Repertory Theatre (November 2007)
THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare Santa Cruz (August 207)
RABBIT HOLE* by David Lindsay-Abaire, San Jose Repertory Theatre (May 2007)
HOLD PLEASE* by Annie Weisman, Old Globe Theatre (April 2007)
GOOD PERSON OF SETZUAN by Bertolt Brecht, UC santa Cruz (Feb 2007)
2006
CHRISTMAS ON MARS by Harry Kondoleon, The Old Globe Theatre (June 2006)
2005
A CHRISTMAS CAROL* adapted by DW Jacobs, world premiere, San Diego Repertory Theatre (Dec 2005)
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT (V. 2.0)* by Kirsten Brandt, Sledgehammer Theatre (October 2005)
THE BIRD AND THE WATERFALL by Kirsten Nash, world premiere, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (July 2005)
LOBBY HERO* by Kenneth Lonergan, The Old Globe (May 2005)
THE SQUIRREL WIFE by Kimber Lee, Mo’olelo Theatre Company, staged reading (March 2005)
WHEN THE WORLD WAS GREEN* by Sam Shepard and Joe Chaikin, Sledgehammer Theatre (Feb 2005)
2004
A DREAM PLAY* by August Strindberg, translated by Anne-Charlotte Harvey, Sledgehammer Theatre
LILITH libretto by Allan Havis, music by Anthony Davis, UCSD Music Depart. workshop performance
THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW* by Rolin Jones, The Old Globe Theatre
MACBETH* by William Shakespeare, edited by Kirsten Brandt, Sledgehammer Theatre
BRAVE SMILES, ANOTHER LESBIAN TRAGEDY, by the Five Lesbian Brothers, Diversionary Theatre
2003
NU, PART I & III* (conceived & directed), Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
THE LARAMIE PROJECT* by Moises Kaufman, Sierra Repertory Theatre
PHAEDRA IN DELIRIUM* by Susan Yankowitz, co-directed with David Tierney, Sledgehammer
Theatre, west coast premiere
PHAEDRA IN DELIRIUM by Susan Yankowitz, New Dramatists, New York, staged reading
MEDEA, QUEEN OF COLCHESTER by Marianne McDonald, co-directed with David Tierney,
Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
THE BURNING DECK by Sarah Schulman, La Jolla Playhouse, starring Diane Venora and Lionel Smith
DEPORTING THE DIVAS by Guillermo Reyes, Diversionary Theatre
PRIVATE PARTIES by Allan Havis, 6th @ Penn San Diego, world premiere
A KNIFE IN THE HEART by Susan Yankowitz, Strasburg Studio, New York University, staged reading
2002
A KNIFE IN THE HEART * by Susan Yankowitz, Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
MEDEA, QUEEN OF COLCHESTER by Marianne McDonald, Sledgehammer Theatre, staged reading
THE UNIVERSAL MONSTER SHOW by Tim West & David Lee Cuthbert, Sledgehammer Theatre, world
premiere
2001
RICHARD III by William Shakespeare, edited by Kirsten Brandt & Elizabeth O’Hara, Sledgehammer
Theatre
CARNIVALS OF DESIRE by Mary Fengar-Gail, Fritz Blitz, Festival of New Plays, world premiere
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES by Eve Ensler, V-Day International
THE DEVIL’S RIVER* (conceived & directed), Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
LIFE OF SPIDERS by Kelly Stuart, Actors Alliance of San Diego, staged reading
THE ART OF DINING by Tina Howe, Actors Alliance of San Diego, staged reading
2000
ALICE IN MODERNLAND* libretto & music by Kirsten Nash, Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
FURIOUS BLOOD* by Kelly Stuart, Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT by Kirsten Brandt, NET Conference, San Francisco
1999 and earlier (selected)
THE DIVINE FEAST by Lisa D’Amour, ASK Theatre Projects, staged reading
NOISEMAKER by Bill Canning, UCSD New Play Showcase, guest director, world premiere
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT by Kirsten Brandt, Sledgehammer Theatre, workshop performance
SWEET CHARITY* by Bob Fosse, Neil Simon, Dorthoy Fields, Sledgehammer Theatre
DEMONOLOGY* by Kelly Stuart, Sledgehammer Theatre
SQUAWK GOES THE OSTRICH by Le &Bevins, Playwrights Project, world premiere
LYSISTRATA by Aristophanes (adapted by Kirsten Brandt) ,Lyceum Underground
LOVE OF THE NIGHTINGALE by Timberlake Wertenbaker, Copley Auditorium, Balboa Park
* denotes “critic’s choice”
PLAYWRITING
Original work:
NU (PART I: MR. PHOSPHORESCENCE & PART III: WINTERING) plays without words, directed and
choreographed by Kirsten Brandt (Part II directed and choreographed by Jessa Watson), world
premiere, Sledgehammer Theatre November 2003. Received a San Diego Playbill Award for
“Outstanding Choreography.”
BERZERKERGÄNG, directed by Michael Severance and Jessa Watson, world premiere at Sledgehammer
Theatre, February 2003. Received a San Diego Playbill Award for “Outstanding New Play” and a KPBS
Award for “Outstanding Production.”
THE DEVIL’S RIVER conceived and directed by Kirsten Brandt, created by the Sledgehammer Ensemble
with Kirsten Brandt as lead writer, world premiere Sledgehammer Theatre, February 2001
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT directed by Kirsten Brandt, Sledgehammer Theatre, February 1999 and
the Network of Ensemble Theatres Conference, San Francisco, September 2000. Received a KPBS
Award for “Outstanding Direction.” THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT (VERSION 2.0), an updated
version of the original, premiered at Sledgehammer Theatre in October of 2005.
IT’S NOT NONEXISTENT Festival of New Plays, University of California, San Diego, September 1994
Adapted work
MACBETH, by William Shakespeare, adaptation by Kirsten Brandt and Welton Jones; Sledgehammer
Theatre February 2004
RICHARD III, by William Shakespeare, adaptation by Kirsten Brandt and Elizabeth O’Hara,
Sledgehammer Theatre, October 2001
LYSISTRATA, by Aristophanes, adaptation by Kirsten Brandt, Lyceum Underground, November 1994
Other Work in Progress
THE MECHANIC'S DAUGHTER based on MEDEA by Euripides,commissioned by Marianne McDonald;
pending publication
DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL based on the ELECTRA plays of Aeschylus and Sophocles
WAVES based on Mary Shelley’s journals and letters as well as the correspondence of Claire Clairmont
workshop at Vox Nova April 2008
PRODUCING EXPERIENCE
23 productions for Sledgehammer Theatre including:
KID-SIMPLE, A RADIO PLAY IN THE FLESH* by Jordan Harrison, directed by Scott Feldsher, west
coast premiere 06/04
[SIC]* by Melissa James Gibson, directed by Ruff Yeager, west coast premiere 06/03
VALPARIASO by Don DeLillo, directed by Matthew Wilder 06/02 (multi-media production)
THE WORLD IS ROUND by Scott Feldsher and Pea Hicks (co-produced with Opera Zero) presented at
ASK Theatre Projects, Los Angeles 06/02 (Multi-media production)
QUOTH THE RAVEN selected works by Edgar Allan Poe, directed by Matthew Wilder, Scott Feldsher,
Brendon Fox, and Michael Severance, 09/01
THE CHAIRS* by Eugene Ionesco, directed by Jonathan Silverstein, 06/01
KRAPP’S LAST TAPE & PLAY by Samuel Beckett, directed by Matthew Wilder, 9/00 (multi-media
production)
THE GHOST SONATA by August Strindberg, directed by Scott Feldsher, 6/00 (site-specific production)
PHENOMENAL ACCELERATION * by Tim West, directed by Ethan Feerst, world premiere 10/99
TRUE WEST* by Sam Shepard, directed by Scott Feldsher 6/99
* denotes critic’s choice
TRAINING/EDUCATION
University of California, San Diego BA in Theatre with an emphasis in playwrighting and directing.
Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Caldonian Society 06/94
University of Birmingham, England (UCSD Education Abroad Program), emphasis playwrighting and
physical training (Meyerhold’s Biomechanics/modern dance) 09/92 - 06/93
SITI in Los Angeles 2002 (Suzuki/Viewpionts) 08/02
National Arts Marketing Project: Advanced Audience Development Training & Granting Program 04/02
AWARDS
Backstage West Garland Award 1999 for direction of SWEET CHARITY
San Diego Critic’s Circle Award for “Creative Achievement” in 2003
San Diego Critic’s Circle Award“Outstanding Direction” for THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW in
2004
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Direction” for THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT
in 1999
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Direction” for FURIOUS BLOOD in 2000
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Direction” for A KNIFE IN THE HEART in 2002
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Production” for A DREAM PLAY
(producer/director) in 2004
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Production” for BERZERKERGÄNG
(producer/playwright) in 2003
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Production” for TRUE WEST (producer) in 1999
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Production” for DEMONOLOGY (director) 1997
San Diego Magazine’s 50 Faces to Watch 1999
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for “Outstanding Direction” for MACBETH in 2003
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for “Outstanding Choreography”for NU in 2003
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for “Outstanding Direction” for A KNIFE IN THE HEART in 2002
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for“Outstanding New Play”for BERZERKERGÄNG in 2002
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for “Outstanding Ensemble” for RICHARD III in 2001
Modesto Bee Top Ten List: THE LARAMIE PROJECT (director)
San Diego Union Tribune Top Ten List: [SIC] 2003 (producer)
San Diego Union Tribune Top Ten List: TRUE WEST 1999 (producer)
San Diego Union Tribune Top Ten List: LOBBY HERO 2005 (director)
AFFILIATIONS
Member, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
Associate Member, Canadian Actors Equity Association
RAT Theatre 1999-2005
Network of Ensemble Theatres 1999-2005
Coronado School of the Arts Advisory Board, 1999-2005
Guest Artist, Lincoln Center Director’s Lab West, 4/00 & 4/01
Co-founder Durga Women’s Performance Festival of San Diego, 4/00 Presenting over 40 women artists.
Member of The Relentless Theatre Company, Los Angeles, 2/97-11/98
Guest Curator, Sushi Visual and Performing Arts’ 20 Hours, 11/99
Director (SSDC)
For printer friendly version click here
An award-winning director, producer, playwright and adaptor Kirsten Brandt was the Artistic Director of
the nationally recognized cutting-edge company Sledgehammer Theatre for six years. Under her tenure
the company created twenty-three theatrical events, including nine world premieres and five west coast
premieres. She directed fifteen productions for Sledgehammer. She co-founded the first women’s
performance festival in San Diego, DURGA and created Sledgehammer’s first educational outreach
program, STEP. She studied directing at the University of California, San Diego and playwrighting at the
University of Birmingham, England with David Edgar and Claire McIntyre. She is currently the Associate
Artistic Director of San Jose Repertory Theatre and a lecturer at UC santa Cruz.
DIRECTING
2008
THIRD* by Wendy Wasserstein, Theatreworks (January 2008)
2007
THIS WONDERFUL LIFE by Steven Murray, San Jose Repertory Theatre (November 2007)
THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare Santa Cruz (August 207)
RABBIT HOLE* by David Lindsay-Abaire, San Jose Repertory Theatre (May 2007)
HOLD PLEASE* by Annie Weisman, Old Globe Theatre (April 2007)
GOOD PERSON OF SETZUAN by Bertolt Brecht, UC santa Cruz (Feb 2007)
2006
CHRISTMAS ON MARS by Harry Kondoleon, The Old Globe Theatre (June 2006)
2005
A CHRISTMAS CAROL* adapted by DW Jacobs, world premiere, San Diego Repertory Theatre (Dec 2005)
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT (V. 2.0)* by Kirsten Brandt, Sledgehammer Theatre (October 2005)
THE BIRD AND THE WATERFALL by Kirsten Nash, world premiere, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (July 2005)
LOBBY HERO* by Kenneth Lonergan, The Old Globe (May 2005)
THE SQUIRREL WIFE by Kimber Lee, Mo’olelo Theatre Company, staged reading (March 2005)
WHEN THE WORLD WAS GREEN* by Sam Shepard and Joe Chaikin, Sledgehammer Theatre (Feb 2005)
2004
A DREAM PLAY* by August Strindberg, translated by Anne-Charlotte Harvey, Sledgehammer Theatre
LILITH libretto by Allan Havis, music by Anthony Davis, UCSD Music Depart. workshop performance
THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW* by Rolin Jones, The Old Globe Theatre
MACBETH* by William Shakespeare, edited by Kirsten Brandt, Sledgehammer Theatre
BRAVE SMILES, ANOTHER LESBIAN TRAGEDY, by the Five Lesbian Brothers, Diversionary Theatre
2003
NU, PART I & III* (conceived & directed), Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
THE LARAMIE PROJECT* by Moises Kaufman, Sierra Repertory Theatre
PHAEDRA IN DELIRIUM* by Susan Yankowitz, co-directed with David Tierney, Sledgehammer
Theatre, west coast premiere
PHAEDRA IN DELIRIUM by Susan Yankowitz, New Dramatists, New York, staged reading
MEDEA, QUEEN OF COLCHESTER by Marianne McDonald, co-directed with David Tierney,
Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
THE BURNING DECK by Sarah Schulman, La Jolla Playhouse, starring Diane Venora and Lionel Smith
DEPORTING THE DIVAS by Guillermo Reyes, Diversionary Theatre
PRIVATE PARTIES by Allan Havis, 6th @ Penn San Diego, world premiere
A KNIFE IN THE HEART by Susan Yankowitz, Strasburg Studio, New York University, staged reading
2002
A KNIFE IN THE HEART * by Susan Yankowitz, Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
MEDEA, QUEEN OF COLCHESTER by Marianne McDonald, Sledgehammer Theatre, staged reading
THE UNIVERSAL MONSTER SHOW by Tim West & David Lee Cuthbert, Sledgehammer Theatre, world
premiere
2001
RICHARD III by William Shakespeare, edited by Kirsten Brandt & Elizabeth O’Hara, Sledgehammer
Theatre
CARNIVALS OF DESIRE by Mary Fengar-Gail, Fritz Blitz, Festival of New Plays, world premiere
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES by Eve Ensler, V-Day International
THE DEVIL’S RIVER* (conceived & directed), Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
LIFE OF SPIDERS by Kelly Stuart, Actors Alliance of San Diego, staged reading
THE ART OF DINING by Tina Howe, Actors Alliance of San Diego, staged reading
2000
ALICE IN MODERNLAND* libretto & music by Kirsten Nash, Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
FURIOUS BLOOD* by Kelly Stuart, Sledgehammer Theatre, world premiere
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT by Kirsten Brandt, NET Conference, San Francisco
1999 and earlier (selected)
THE DIVINE FEAST by Lisa D’Amour, ASK Theatre Projects, staged reading
NOISEMAKER by Bill Canning, UCSD New Play Showcase, guest director, world premiere
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT by Kirsten Brandt, Sledgehammer Theatre, workshop performance
SWEET CHARITY* by Bob Fosse, Neil Simon, Dorthoy Fields, Sledgehammer Theatre
DEMONOLOGY* by Kelly Stuart, Sledgehammer Theatre
SQUAWK GOES THE OSTRICH by Le &Bevins, Playwrights Project, world premiere
LYSISTRATA by Aristophanes (adapted by Kirsten Brandt) ,Lyceum Underground
LOVE OF THE NIGHTINGALE by Timberlake Wertenbaker, Copley Auditorium, Balboa Park
* denotes “critic’s choice”
PLAYWRITING
Original work:
NU (PART I: MR. PHOSPHORESCENCE & PART III: WINTERING) plays without words, directed and
choreographed by Kirsten Brandt (Part II directed and choreographed by Jessa Watson), world
premiere, Sledgehammer Theatre November 2003. Received a San Diego Playbill Award for
“Outstanding Choreography.”
BERZERKERGÄNG, directed by Michael Severance and Jessa Watson, world premiere at Sledgehammer
Theatre, February 2003. Received a San Diego Playbill Award for “Outstanding New Play” and a KPBS
Award for “Outstanding Production.”
THE DEVIL’S RIVER conceived and directed by Kirsten Brandt, created by the Sledgehammer Ensemble
with Kirsten Brandt as lead writer, world premiere Sledgehammer Theatre, February 2001
THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT directed by Kirsten Brandt, Sledgehammer Theatre, February 1999 and
the Network of Ensemble Theatres Conference, San Francisco, September 2000. Received a KPBS
Award for “Outstanding Direction.” THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT (VERSION 2.0), an updated
version of the original, premiered at Sledgehammer Theatre in October of 2005.
IT’S NOT NONEXISTENT Festival of New Plays, University of California, San Diego, September 1994
Adapted work
MACBETH, by William Shakespeare, adaptation by Kirsten Brandt and Welton Jones; Sledgehammer
Theatre February 2004
RICHARD III, by William Shakespeare, adaptation by Kirsten Brandt and Elizabeth O’Hara,
Sledgehammer Theatre, October 2001
LYSISTRATA, by Aristophanes, adaptation by Kirsten Brandt, Lyceum Underground, November 1994
Other Work in Progress
THE MECHANIC'S DAUGHTER based on MEDEA by Euripides,commissioned by Marianne McDonald;
pending publication
DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL based on the ELECTRA plays of Aeschylus and Sophocles
WAVES based on Mary Shelley’s journals and letters as well as the correspondence of Claire Clairmont
workshop at Vox Nova April 2008
PRODUCING EXPERIENCE
23 productions for Sledgehammer Theatre including:
KID-SIMPLE, A RADIO PLAY IN THE FLESH* by Jordan Harrison, directed by Scott Feldsher, west
coast premiere 06/04
[SIC]* by Melissa James Gibson, directed by Ruff Yeager, west coast premiere 06/03
VALPARIASO by Don DeLillo, directed by Matthew Wilder 06/02 (multi-media production)
THE WORLD IS ROUND by Scott Feldsher and Pea Hicks (co-produced with Opera Zero) presented at
ASK Theatre Projects, Los Angeles 06/02 (Multi-media production)
QUOTH THE RAVEN selected works by Edgar Allan Poe, directed by Matthew Wilder, Scott Feldsher,
Brendon Fox, and Michael Severance, 09/01
THE CHAIRS* by Eugene Ionesco, directed by Jonathan Silverstein, 06/01
KRAPP’S LAST TAPE & PLAY by Samuel Beckett, directed by Matthew Wilder, 9/00 (multi-media
production)
THE GHOST SONATA by August Strindberg, directed by Scott Feldsher, 6/00 (site-specific production)
PHENOMENAL ACCELERATION * by Tim West, directed by Ethan Feerst, world premiere 10/99
TRUE WEST* by Sam Shepard, directed by Scott Feldsher 6/99
* denotes critic’s choice
TRAINING/EDUCATION
University of California, San Diego BA in Theatre with an emphasis in playwrighting and directing.
Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Caldonian Society 06/94
University of Birmingham, England (UCSD Education Abroad Program), emphasis playwrighting and
physical training (Meyerhold’s Biomechanics/modern dance) 09/92 - 06/93
SITI in Los Angeles 2002 (Suzuki/Viewpionts) 08/02
National Arts Marketing Project: Advanced Audience Development Training & Granting Program 04/02
AWARDS
Backstage West Garland Award 1999 for direction of SWEET CHARITY
San Diego Critic’s Circle Award for “Creative Achievement” in 2003
San Diego Critic’s Circle Award“Outstanding Direction” for THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW in
2004
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Direction” for THE FRANKENSTEIN PROJECT
in 1999
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Direction” for FURIOUS BLOOD in 2000
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Direction” for A KNIFE IN THE HEART in 2002
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Production” for A DREAM PLAY
(producer/director) in 2004
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Production” for BERZERKERGÄNG
(producer/playwright) in 2003
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Production” for TRUE WEST (producer) in 1999
KPBS Patté Award for Theatre Excellence for “Outstanding Production” for DEMONOLOGY (director) 1997
San Diego Magazine’s 50 Faces to Watch 1999
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for “Outstanding Direction” for MACBETH in 2003
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for “Outstanding Choreography”for NU in 2003
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for “Outstanding Direction” for A KNIFE IN THE HEART in 2002
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for“Outstanding New Play”for BERZERKERGÄNG in 2002
San Diego Playbill Billie Award for “Outstanding Ensemble” for RICHARD III in 2001
Modesto Bee Top Ten List: THE LARAMIE PROJECT (director)
San Diego Union Tribune Top Ten List: [SIC] 2003 (producer)
San Diego Union Tribune Top Ten List: TRUE WEST 1999 (producer)
San Diego Union Tribune Top Ten List: LOBBY HERO 2005 (director)
AFFILIATIONS
Member, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
Associate Member, Canadian Actors Equity Association
RAT Theatre 1999-2005
Network of Ensemble Theatres 1999-2005
Coronado School of the Arts Advisory Board, 1999-2005
Guest Artist, Lincoln Center Director’s Lab West, 4/00 & 4/01
Co-founder Durga Women’s Performance Festival of San Diego, 4/00 Presenting over 40 women artists.
Member of The Relentless Theatre Company, Los Angeles, 2/97-11/98
Guest Curator, Sushi Visual and Performing Arts’ 20 Hours, 11/99
Bio/Resume
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