Olney Theatre Center Appoints Jason King Jones Director of Education

Olney Theatre Center has announced Jason King Jones as their new Director of Education. Mr. Jones is a director and educator who recently completed his MFA in Directing and Certificate in Arts Administration at Boston University.

“Education has been a big part of the work that I’ve done, and a big part of my life, so to partner with Olney Theatre Center in the creation of new education programs that will serve the state of Maryland, as well as communities across the nation through our National Players touring company is really exciting,” says Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones is a native of Nixa, Missouri and attended Missouri State University, where he graduated with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Mr. Jones later served as Resident Directing Assistant at The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C., during Michael Kahn’s production of The Oedipus Plays and Gale Edwards’ staging of Hamlet.

As Artistic Associate for The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Mr. Jones directed both main stage and touring shows. He directed a number of productions for Shakespeare Live!, the theatre’s education touring branch, including Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other New Jersey credits include The Comedy of Errors, The Servant of Two Masters, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), The Merry Wives of Windsor, and The Grouch. Mr. Jones also directed New Jersey Repertory Company’s productions of The Women of Lockerbie and The Good Daughter, and The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles’ production of Twelfth Night.

For two seasons, Mr. Jones served as Staff Repertory Director for The Acting Company, where he toured with Jane Eyre, Richard III, and Murder by Poe. In addition, Mr. Jones has been a guest director at numerous universities and has taught at Boston University, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Missouri State University. He is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and Actors' Equity.

“I’m the product of a really strong education program, so I welcome the opportunity to work with the next generation of theatre artists, to guide them as they begin their journey as professionals,” says Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones first came to Olney Theatre Center in 2011, when he directed the National Players’ Tour 63 production, Of Mice and Men. He was invited back to direct both productions of the current tour — Romeo and Juliet and Animal Farm.

“Olney Theatre Center is thrilled to welcome Mr. Jones to the team. His demonstrated leadership and innovation are sure to breathe new life into the Education Department,” says Martin Platt, Olney Theatre Center Artistic Director.