deb alley, director
Deb Alley and Tom Quinn.
Photo courtesy of Dylan Paul.
Like most theatre folk, I've had a lot of different jobs. I worked for DramaSearch Production Co. when I started out. We were a two-person team - writing and producing works for historic sites on the east coast. After a few years, we moved on and started Columbus Ensemble Theatre, where I functioned mostly as a Managing Director but also as an occasional actor and director. After CET had run its course, I was hired as Director of Children's Theatre at Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse... where I also served as Production Manager. This led to management gigs on three national tours.
My association with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival began in 1995 when I was hired to stage manage Henry IV, part 2. I worked as Production Manager for the Festival for 5 years, before becoming Associate Artistic Director in 2006. I served as Artistic Director from 2007 to 2012.
I have directed a number of shows at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival - Much Ado, Julius Caesar, Midsummer, The Tempest, Winter's Tale, and The Rivals. In addition, I direct regularly for regional venues. My favorite productions include: Pride's Crossing, Flyin' West, Othello, Little Shop of Horrors, Servant of Two Masters, King Lear, Skriker, The Arkansas Bear, Cabaret, Laramie Project, and Caucasian Chalk Circle.
I was on the faculty at Illinois State University from 1999 to 2013 and was the head of the MFA Directing Program my last six years.
I currently teach directing at Texas State University.