Justin Cerne
Artistic Director
Director/Choreographer
(he/him)
"Justin Cerne, one of the happiest collaborations I’ve ever had”
-Whit Stillman
"Because he inspires the best in people, I’ve never seen a production of his that didn’t thrill. As a collaborative artist he has three rare gifts: insight, trust and contagious joy"
-John Shea
"Justin knows how to bring the brilliance out of each actor, and for all of us who work behind the scenes, we get to experience Justin’s warmth and kindness to all who work with him."
-Liz Himmelstein
Me
Cerne is currently entering his tenth season as Producing Artistic Director of Theatre Workshop of Nantucket a Small Professional Theatre (SPT) on the island of Nantucket.. During his time with TWN, he has directed 25 mainstage productions as well as curated, collaborated and produced more than 75 theatrical events. Directing highlights at TWN include: Mamma Mia!, Steel Magnolias, Terms of Endearment, Meteor Shower, Into the Woods and Neil Simon's The Odd Couple (Female Version). Cerne’s choreographic work can be seen in the film Damsel’s in Distress (Sony Classic Pictures) starring Oscar Nominee Greta Gerwig and produced, written and directed by Oscar Nominee Whit Stillman. Prior to his tenure at TWN, Cerne directed and choreographed across the country and has had the pleasure to work with talents such as Meryl Streep, as well as some of Broadway's best including Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Liz Callaway, Heidi Blinkenstaff, Patti Lupone, Audra McDonald and Analeigh Ashford. Cerne is also a playwright (Truth or Consequences, March of the Isabelline Peguins and Polar) and holds BA from Marymount Manhattan College and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from The University of Idaho. Justin is a member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild).
What I Do
The role of Artistic Director calls for a strong clear voice coupled with a calm and concise insight, an ability to lead the theatre in an artistically responsible direction while remaining responsive to the unique needs of such a community. In my over twenty years in the performing arts, I’ve acquired a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and the skills to manage the creative process of a theatre and inspire the rest of the organization to be their very best. I believe that the artistic director is the heart of a theatre, working to breathe life into and make real the purpose and vision of the organization on and off the stage. I am skilled at working with the individuals that create our theatrical world, from talent to board to patrons and donors, I am able to join those diverse voices together in service to one mission.
During the 2020 Season Theatre Workshop collaborating with nearly 150 directors and actors to bring Caryl Churchill's Love and Information to the virtual stage. The above video is a preview.
