BIOGRAPHY

Shira Helena Gitlin (they/them) is a trans nonbinary director, gender consultant, dramaturg, intimacy director, and musical theatre enthusiast based in Boston, MA. As a leader, facilitator, and artist, Shira centers their work around three ‘A’s: agency, accessibility, and authenticity. They strive to create and participate in collaborative, positive environments that emphasize curiosity and creativity.

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Shira is interested in pushing the boundaries of musical theatre and crafting new works that showcase queer, transgender, and neurodivergent histories, fantasies, and realities. Their work is often signified by rich, colorful aural and visual aesthetics, and maybe a little bit of magic. They are drawn to contemporary pieces and new work, but also have a deep respect and interest in revisiting and modernizing classic pieces of the dramatic and musical theatre canon. 

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In their artistic work, Shira has collaborated with the New Repertory Theatre, Reagle Music Theatre, The Burlington Players, Boston Theater Company, Fresh Ink Theatre, Boston Playwrights' Theatre, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Central Square Theater, Moonbox Productions, The Concord Players, The Walpole Footlighters, Flat Earth Theatre, Sparkhaven Theatre, Playwrights’ Platform, National Women's Theatre Festival, The Boston Theatre Marathon and more.

Shira is a graduate of the Arden Professional Apprentice Class 26, was an Artistic Fellow at SpeakEasy Stage Company, and is an alumni of Directors Lab North in Toronto, Canada. They were also a Directing Observer for the National Alliance of Musical Theatre Festival in 2021. They have a BA from Hampshire College in directing with an emphasis on musical theatre studies.

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Shira also works as an intimacy director and gender consultant. They have held Transgender Inclusion workshops for Dramatists Guild, Directors Lab North, and various theatres across the United States. They are a part of the Gender Explosion Initiative. 

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When they're not doing theatre, Shira can be found running around in the woods with their spouse (Colin) and dog (Olive), playing the banjo, using too many exclamation points, reading queer YA novels, doing arts & crafts, and plane spotting. They are an aries sun, capricorn moon, libra rising, and glitter fanatic. 

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Proud member of Gender Explosion, Ring of Keys, and Director's Gathering.

Associate member of SDC. 

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Shira uses they/them pronouns (or ze/zir if you're feeling adventurous)

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Headshots by Mim Wu.