John Simpkins
John Simpkins is a stage director working in New York City and across the country. He is also Artistic Director at TriArts Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT. His most recent directing work includes the three-time Drama Desk nominated Off-Broadway production of Bloodsong of Love: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Spaghetti Western (by Joe Iconis). Other professional New York directing includes Off-Broadway productions of ReWrite, The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks, The Black Suits, and Things to Ruin (which he also co-conceived). He has worked regionally at the Goodspeed Opera House, Barrington Stage Company, The John W. Engeman Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, North Carolina Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Simpkins’ work includes developing new musicals as both a director and Artistic Director, and he has directed workshops and readings with award winning writers at theatres nationwide. His work at NYU includes a program where young and emerging writers can develop and workshop their material with student performers in the Program in Vocal Performance. Among the full productions he has directed at NYU are Floyd Collins, The Fix, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Violet, Parade, and Merrily We Roll Along. His production of Parade was honored by being selected for preservation at Lincoln Center’s Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Miami University (Ohio) and a Master of Arts from NYU.