directing

FUN HOME

May 2025
The Burlington Players
Music by Jeanine Tesori, Book & Lyrics by Lisa Kron

Lights by Eric Jacobsen. Set by David Fisher. Set Images by Al Benbow. Props by Katelyn Paddock. Costumes by Kris Reynolds. Sound by Jen Stearns. Hair & Makeup by Sarah Wolman. Photos by Kai Chao.

Performed by Ari Schmidt, Bella Juhaeri, Brynn Kilgore, Adam Sell, Lydian DeVere Yard, Maya Feldman, Mardie Chase, Bee LaPlaca, Peter Tone.

"A moving community theater production of Fun Home delivers Broadway-caliber vocals, heartfelt acting, and an intimate, unforgettable experience [...] director Shira Helena Gitlin melded all the complex scenes and emotions into a coherent, compelling production, getting great performances from everyone – including the little ones."
-Burlington Buzz

ORPHEUS IN THE OVERWORLD

May 2024
Fresh Ink Theatre
Written by Dante Gonzalez

Lights by Andrea Sala. Set & Props by Meg Lynch. Costumes by Mikayla Reid.
Sound by AJ Helman. Photos by Erin Solomon

Performed by Elijah Brown, Isabel Ginsberg, Lucy Bertolet, Kulfi Jaan, Matthew Suchecki, Rebekah Brunson, and Julian X.

"Orpheus in the Overworld was the perfect antidote [...] it was the full-frontal celebration of queer representation I needed. It was loud; it was participatory; it was gay AF. The cast and crew helmed by director Shira Helena Gitlin created a delightful production. If you missed it, you missed a truly satisfying queer community happening." - New England TheatreGeek

"A story where the imperative is to go and live and find happiness - not even just the imperative, the threat - was a strange relief. The trans experience is steeped in death metaphorical and entirely too often literal. As a trans person - as a queer person - you will never escape those reminders, even in the beautiful things. There's no living without processing and without growth." - Anonymous Audience Member

THE NORMAL HEART

June 2023
New Repertory Theatre
Written by Larry Kramer

Lights by Michael Clark Wonson. Set by Melody Hsu.
Props by Michael Hisamoto. Costumes by Sandra Zhihan Jia. Sound by Mackenzie Adamick. Photos by Nile Scott Studios.

Performed by Dylan C. Wack, Chingwe Padraig Sullivan, Luis Negron, Will McGarrahan, Brian Demar Jones, Cailin Doran, Zach Kelley, and Ken Yotsukura.

"'The Normal Heart' is in good hands at New Repertory Theatre. Director Shira Helena Gitlin and a wholly committed cast [...] have fashioned an intense and powerful production that’s worthy of its grim subject." - The Boston Globe

"New Rep stages a thoughtful and timely production of 'The Normal Heart'" - WBUR

"This is a dramatically rich play with several important themes...under Shira Helena Gitlin’s taut direction, the New Rep cast brings forceful expression to all of these themes." - Jewish Journal

"New Rep's stage director for 'The Normal Heart,' Shira Helena Gitlin, has staged a fine adaptation of Kramer’s story with a minimal cast, minimal sets and optimal performances. " - Metrmag

INDECENT

February 2023
The Concord Players
Written by Paula Vogel

Lights by Rick Shamel. Set by Allen Bantly.
Props by Anne Bantly. Costumes by Hannah Clifford. Photos by Chris Pollari.

Performed by Dan Kelly, Kate Beattie, Michael Jay, Jon Linden, Aiden O'Neal, Judi Olson, John Small, Alison Butts, Joel Hersh, Wendy Linden, and Hannah Clifford.

"The brilliantly complex production is extremely well executed [...] the Concord production, under the detail-driven direction of Shira Helena Gitlin, is a technically intricate piece" - Metrmag

FOR THE FISH

June 2022
Moonbox Productions: Boston New Works Festival

Written by Surrey Houlker

Lights by Sam Biondolillo. Props by Arielle Greenspan. Scenic design by Janie Howland, Jordan Barnett, and Sarabeth Spector.
Performed by Mal Malme, Sophie Pels, and V. Brancazio.

Watch here.

ECHO & NARCISSUS

May 2022
Spark: an Experimental Debut Concert Off-Brand Opera

Music by Jake Landau, Lyrics by Emily Garber

Choreography by Leslie Andrea Williams. Photos by Rider Foster.
Performed by Lotus Rogers & E.B. Hinnant.

Watch here.

THE VIOLET ROOM

July 2021
7 Rooms: The Masque of the Red Death

Flat Earth Theatre
Written by Sari Boren

Performed by Jo Michael Rezes and Blair Nodelman.

SHREK: THE MUSICAL

March 2017
Mohawk Trail Regional School

Music by Jeanine Tesori, Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Music Direction by Amy Crawford-Roberts. Sound/Lighting by Sam Whitney.

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

November 2016
Hampshire College
Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book written by Rachel Sheinkin, Conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss.

Music Direction: Maddie Williams.
Lighting Design by Dani Aldrich. Set by Nancy Michaud. Photos by Kat Dimitruk.

Pandemonium