Directing
My directing resume is available to download
““Fabulous...beautifully structured, too, the story plus the art.” ”
Check out the upcoming page to learn about upcoming projects with Taproot Theatre, and a new musical in development with Jasmine Joshua and Heather Ragusa!
I began my career in theatre as an actor, but my passion has always extended to the entire storytelling process. I am dedicated to fostering a safe and collaborative rehearsal environment, where actors feel empowered to explore their roles deeply and make creative, specific choices.
Recently I directed a reading of “Anyone Can Be The Light” by ELizabeth Gilbert performed by Kate Witt at Seattle Public Theatre as part of Illuminating the Dark. I made my directing debut at the 14/48 Festival, working on new plays by local writers Mariah Squires, SW Jones, and Marcus Gorman. Prior to that, in 2023, I directed Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler with inD Theatre on Bainbridge Island, and Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice with Bainbridge Performing Arts.
During quarantine I directed Deadlift, a site-specific virtual solo show by Aviva Pressman. Deadlift has its premiere with Local Classic Repertory in Pennsylvania, and then run with Sacred Fools in Los Angeles.
In addition, I have directed numerous youth productions. Working in an educational setting requires a clear vision, efficient rehearsal management, and a commitment to ensuring that everyone involved feels valued and supported. These values transfer to my work with professional actors as well. My goal is understand the story in the text, and to communicate the story in the most clear and cohesive way possible.
““So beautiful! Laughed and cried a lot, thought about what kind of parents we want to be...so lovely.””
““Zandi is an actor’s director: clear-eyed and straightforward, she brings her vision to life with a deft touch. Her collaborative process is open to ideas from the performers, but at the same time she knows what she wants and how to suggest a path to power the actor forward. Working with material that could potentially become a wallow in heavy emotion, Zandi keeps the action crisp, the staging smart, and the momentum driving. I’d love to work with her again.”
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