Nyssa Justis

Artist Statement

There is nothing like leaving a theater having laughed so hard your stomach hurts and realizing you are reconsidering something deep about the world. I remember the pure joy of working on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and hearing the audience, who all had just laughed their butts off, leave while actively debating the topics of the show – the impact we have on our children, growing up, loneliness and loss, and more. To know something I had poured my heart into had an impact on strangers I had never met and that it inspired that level of curiousity in them felt so fulfilling, and from that moment on I never thought about putting on a show the same. The interplay of entertainment and personal reflection possible through a theatrical performance is so fascinating to me, and something I consider infinitely powerful; something to use with great care and reverence. How can you pick and display stories that inspire empathy while still championing an entertaining experience? I deeply enjoy working on shows that use dry wit, humor, and dynamic movement to exhibit how unique human beings are. After all, no other creature on Earth is as fascinated by stories as we are, so how could one not desperately want to play with that? And because theater lives as such a uniquely human art, a collaborative and empathetic approach is paramount in my work. I believe in theater that delves into the depths of the human condition, challenging our perceptions and encouraging self-reflection. I strive to create an environment where everyone is intimately involved, from designers to actors to audience members. I hope each person gains something valuable from the experience. If everyone a work of mine touches left proclaiming they were thinking about a part of life in a slightly new light, I would know I have succeeded. That kind raw, engaging hilarious adventure that is so inherently connective it leads to you look at the world a little kinder is my favorite experience to have in a theater, and one I aim to bring to my audiences and team as a director.

Sleeping Beauty by Helen Coutts Bennett

An engaging production for young performers centering around the visual dramatic shift that occurs within 100 years, aiming to create a low-budget but theatrically impressive show.

Debut Theatre Company

The Late Wedding by Christopher Chen

An exploration of love and longing all through the lens of the playwright’s notes – something the play does not let the audience get away from and cannot be forgotten.

Directing Workshop Colorado State University

East or West, Home is Best: An Adaptation

This theatrical adaptation of a Swedish folktale was designed to foster the creative minds of young performers, focusing on the beautiful simplicity often represented in folktale adaptations.

Debut Theatre Company