Directing Philosophy

It was called the World’s Hardest Game. Six of us walked in one circle at an even pace staring at the floor in the center. The object of the game was to stop simultaneously with out any kind of warning or signal. I am not sure if we ever truly succeeded at it though we came excitedly close many times. This was the ice breaker and central training activity Deb Marley used to train the Vanguard Players in the spring of 2004. We were a small group that in two weeks time would prepare a show to take on the road across the southern half of the United States. We would spend six weeks total on the road performing the play Christ in the Concrete City for schools and churches; a show that correlates the crowd surrounding the Passion with me and you. The message of the show was clear and powerful, the group was committed and passionate, and it was during those six weeks that God showed me what he wanted me to do for the rest of my life.

Four years later I direct high school theatre around Orange County, and though I have not taught my students the World’s Hardest Game, I have developed the beginnings of a leadership theory that was ignited during Vanguard Players and that I plan to grow throughout my career. I’ll call it community leadership. In my experience in theatre, there is nothing more essential than strong community. Whether I use that community to establish my production staff or use the community of an individual show to relay a powerful message to my audience, it defines who I am as a leader. Three things are important to observe in community leadership: building, maintaining, and the power of community in theatre.

Our Town, 2009

Photography by Geriann Shipley

Written by Thornton Wilder
Directed by Jeff Fazakerley
Scenic and Lighting Design by Jeff Fazakerley
Produced by Terra Theater

The Importance of Being Earnest, 2008



Photography by Geriann Shipley

Written by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Jeff Fazakerley
Scenic and Lighting Design by Jeff Fazakerley
Produced by Terra Theater

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, 2007



Video by Steve Lloyd

Based on The Comic Strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz
Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer
Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Directed by Jeff Fazakerley
Produced by Christian Youth Theater, Temecula Valley


This show won Best Show in 2008 for Christian Youth Theater in Southern California.

Boys Chase Girls, 2006


Photography by Kristi Nolf

Written and Directed by Andrea Carpenter and Jeff Fazakerley
Scenic Design by Jeff Fazakerley
Lighting Design by Harmony Whaling

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