ANNOUNCEMENT: Newly named Associate Artistic Director (SHIRA-LEE SHALIT)

We are THRILLED to ANNOUNCE that Shira-Lee Shalit will be coming on board as our Associate Artistic Director.  She will join Producing Artistic Director, Francisco Solorzano in running and leading the barefoot ensemble into a bigger and brighter future.  Stay tuned for more info on what's in the works for our upcoming season including workshops, the return of our NYC/LA bareNaked Reading Series and full productions.  For the past two years, Shira-Lee has participated in several projects including readings, workshops and an upcoming full production.  Shira-Lee first collaborated with the Barefoot Theatre Company when she directed several short plays for our ROCKAWAY benefit featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Gina Gershon, Mickey Sumner, John Doman, Caitlin FitzGerald and many others.  Here's a closer look at Shira-Lee's work and be sure we have a lot of exciting new works in store for you all!!!  

SHIRA-LEE SHALIT is an award-winning director, chosen by Steven Spielberg as one of 18 Finalists out of 12,000 directors for his Fox/DreamWorks TV show, "On The Lot.”  She recently directed Stephen Belber’s FAULT LINES at the Barrow Group Theatre and  has directed for the LAByrinth Theater Company, Barefoot Theatre Company, Nylon Fusion Theatre Company , The Actors Studio, NYMadness, Jewish Plays Project, Thespis Theatre Festival, Vertigo Theater Company, The Lark, and the Writers Guild Screenplay Series.  

Shira-Lee’s feature film debut, A-LIST starring Academy Award nominee Sally Kirkland (Anna, JFK) won the Audience Award at the Milan International Film Festival, and the Gold Remy Award for Best Comedy at Worldfest Film Festival. Her short film, FULL CYCLE was a Finalist in the Student Academy Awards, and her film, OPEN AIR, starring Lynn Cohen (Munich,The Hunger Games) won multiple awards at festivals worldwide.  

Winner of the prestigious Presidential Scholar of the Arts Award, Shira-Lee is a member of the Actors Studio Playwrights/Directors Unit.  She is proud to become Associate Artistic Director with the Barefoot Theatre Company after serving as an associate director for the past two years.  Shira-Lee is on faculty at Columbia University and NYU.

 Photos: Top - Shira-Lee Shalit with Francisco Solorzano at Barefoot Theatre Company's SPRING GALA 15 and VASSALLO AWARDS; Middle - Shira-Lee Shalit; Bottom - Liza Colon-Zayas, David Zayas, Mel Nieves and Shira-Lee Shalit at the most recent SPRING GALA and VASSALLO AWARDS in New York City.