Jess Kaufman
Producing Artistic Director @Flying Leap Productions
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WORK HISTORY
Producing Artistic Director @Flying Leap Productions
New York, NY, US
Provide artistic and executive leadership at fast-growing non-profit to create and produce interactive, site-specific theatrical works for children and families around challenging subject matter. Leading the way in pay equity and artist care. Milestones- Youngest company to be awarded the Alliance of Resident Theaters Small Theaters Fund grant- Created and produced The Garden, an interactive nature play for very young children (>5) and their families touring NYC public parks in partnership with major social service and community organizations. Led and managed team of 10, empowering artists into leadership roles- Co-created and produced Beyond the Wall, a binational performance work amplifying the cultural identity of borderland and migrant youth through 15 foot tall puppets coming to play at the US/Mexico border wall. Led team of 10; project currently in redevelopment with support from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum- Wrote & co-produced 7 venue UK tour of Mathilda and the Orange Balloon, a Deaf and hearing adaptation of the picture book.Grants and Fellowships: New York Foundation for the Arts \"Emerging Arts Leader\", New Victory LabWorks Artist, New York City Artist CorpsPublications: ArtsPraxis (peer-reviewed journal for arts educators), Theater and Performance Design, Cognition Science. Responsibilities- Creative, executive, and critical leadership and oversight from concept through final execution- Lead and manage projects with budgets up to $100k+ in the US, UK, Mexico, and abroad- Manage talent sourcing, 2 direct reports, and interns, creating care-driven work environment fostering growth- Work collaboratively to refine project concepts, ensuring alignment with artistic goals, budgets, timelines- Facilitate internal and external feedback sessions to identify improvement/refinement opportunities- Develop and execute communications strategy to build awareness and generate buzz around productions and events.
EDUCATION
Moscow Art Theatre School
Summer and Winter Intensives, Acting
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
MA Advanced Theatre Practice, Experimental Theatre, Performance Art, Performance for Young Audiences
University of Miami
BFA, Musical Theater
SKILLS
ABOUT JESS KAUFMAN
Passionate artist, producer, and communications strategist with international experience from concept through execution. I specialize in storytelling and message development, facilitating collaboration among interdisciplinary teams, managing projects concept through postmortem, and have substantial experience in digital marketing and communications strategy. As a communications strategist, I have driven and executed successful communications strategies on behalf of working people and people with disabilities in IE electoral work and through direct advocacy to the White House and the Hill.As an artist, I have co-created and produced over a dozen new theatrical works for families. 2023 UMEZ/LMCC Creative Engagement grantee; 2021 New York City Artist Corps grantee, 2020 New York Foundation for the Arts \"Emerging Arts Leader\", 20••••20 New Victory LabWorks Artist.
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