Shelby R. Seeley (she/her) is a director from Downriver, Michigan, inspired by violently tender, ferally-feminine narratives that challenge the theatrical form. She goes to the theatre to be affirmed, challenged, and ignited, and believes theatre uniquely fosters a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other through memorable, affective, and empathetic communal experience. Amid the American loneliness epidemic, she sees theatre as more culturally vital than ever. Her work elevates underrepresented voices, particularly queer and female perspectives. She is deeply invested in new works and new play development. 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 Community Theatre), and staged readings of 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 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 Kennedy Center Directing Intensive. BS Theatre Arts, Eastern Michigan University.