Jonathan Wilson, M.F.A.

About

Jonathan Wilson is a Professor of Theatre and Drama at Loyola University Chicago, where he teaches courses in Acting and Play Direction.  During his tenure at the university, he has directed over 40 productions for the Theatre Department. Among the more recent productions are Violet (2018), Doubt (2017), Getting Out (2016), A Streetcar Named Desire (2012), Intimate Apparel (2009), Guys and Dolls (2008), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2006), Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (2005), The Madwoman of Chaillot (2004), and A View from the Bridge (2001). In 2008, Professor Wilson was named Loyola’s Faculty Member of the Year. 

Professor Wilson is also actively involved as a stage director in the professional theatre in Chicago and around the country. In Chicago, his recent works include Among All This You Stand Like a Fine Brownstone (2017), Liberty City (2015), and Saviour? (2014) for the ETA Theatre Company. His credits also include The Recommendation (2019) for the Windy City Playhouse.

Among Professor Wilson's other works include The Bird Feeder Doesn't Know (2015) for the Raven Theatre, and Master Harold...and the Boys (Jeff Nominated, 2010) for the Timeline Theatre. For the Pegasus Theatre, he directed Jitney (Jeff Nominated, 2007), Pantomime (Jeff Nominated, 2006), Two Trains Running (Jeff Award/Best Director, 2005) and Fraternity (Jeff Award/Best Director, 1990). For the Steppenwolf Theatre, he directed Playland (1994) and A Raisin in the Sun (1987). At the Touchstone Theatre, he directed Desire Under the Elms (1994) and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Jeff Nominated, 1986). At the Court Theatre, Professor Wilson directed Pantomime (1993) and The Lion and the Jewel (1990).

Outside of Chicago, Professor Wilson directed Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2005) and Seven Guitars (1997) for the Seattle Repertory Theatre. In 2007, he directed a touring production of August Wilson’s Fences for Connecticut’s Hartford Stage, The Dallas Theatre Center, and the Portland Center Stage in Oregon. At Hartford Stage, he also directed Electra (2003), Oedipus the King (taped for the New York Public Library Theatre Archives, 2001), and Dutchman (taped for the New York Public Library Theatre Archives, 2000). 

Professor Wilson’s production of Dr. Endesha Holland's From the Mississippi Delta (Jeff Award/Best Ensemble) opened at Northlight Theatre in 1990 with subsequent productions at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre (1990), the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. (Best Out of State Production Award, 1990), Hartford Stage (received the Connecticut’s Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Play, Best Ensemble, and Best Director and was taped for the New York Public Library Theatre Archives, 1991), and a seven-month run Off-Broadway in 1991 at New York’s Circle in the Square Theatre. From the Mississippi Delta was voted by Time Magazine as one of its top-ten productions in the United States in the 1991-92 Theatre Season.

Professor Wilson holds degrees in Theatre and Play Direction from Daemen College in Buffalo, New York, the University of Cincinnati, and Northwestern University and is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Degrees

M.F.A., Northwestern University
M.A., University of Cincinnati
B.A., Daeman College

Professional & Community Affiliations

Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers