Shelby R. Seeley directs violently tender, ferally-feminine theatre.

 

Shelby (she/her) goes to the theatre to be affirmed, challenged, and ignited.  Amid the American loneliness epidemic, she sees theatre as more culturally vital than ever. Collaborators describe her as nuanced, honest, passionate, and creative.

 

As Producing Artistic Director and Literary Manager at Theatre NOVA, Shelby champions bold new plays and the artists who create them. 
 

Directing credits include The Birds (Flint Repertory Theatre), In Search of the Mothman world premiere, Death of a Driver (Theatre NOVA), Bernhardt/Hamlet (Open Book Theatre), Miss Nelson is Missing (Fargo-Moorhead Theatre), Lovebird Jamboree (Planet Ant Theatre). Staged readings include Laughing, Flexing, Dying, Tragedy Sound, Funny Like HAHA (Flint Repertory Theatre), and Loretta’s Crematorium Hour (48th Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival). 

 

Assistant Directing credits include Death of a Salesman, Wrong River world premiere, and Happy Days (Flint Repertory Theatre).

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Beyond directing, she produced Sassafras and the Captain for the Fresh Fruit Festival in NYC, winning "Outstanding Production of 2022".​  She has professional acting experience with University of Michigan's CRLT Players, Michigan Shakespeare Festival Interstate Touring Company, and The Call of the Void Podcast.​

 

She was the Director of Theatre at Patrick Henry Middle School from 2017-2023, where she produced and directed 12 plays and musicals with the mission to engage, enlighten, and empower students through theatre. She has professional teaching, acting, and playwright assisting experience.

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Shelby earned a certificate from Yale University Summer Session for completing A Practical Approach to Directing and attended the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Directing Intensive and the Kennedy Center Directing Intensive. BS Theatre Arts, Eastern Michigan University.