Theatrical Résumé
DOWNLOADABLE RESUME
SUMMARY
Sean Elias currently serves as the Artistic Director for Iron Crow Theatre, Baltimore’s award winning professional queer theatre. Simultaneously, Sean also serves as the Chair of the internationally award winning Performing Arts Department at the Jemicy School, Upper School. A Tony Award-nominated and internationally award-winning theatre educator, administrator, director, Equity actor, and practitioner, Sean has had the distinct privilege to lead artistic and creative teams in multiple capacities within numerous award-winning professional and educational theatrical productions. With a background in theatre for community development, his work aims to elevate the experiences of underprivileged communities while promoting both an understanding of craft and socio-political context in hopes of increasing our collective civic engagement.
“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTING EXPERIENCE
Bare - Iron Crow Theatre, Baltimore, MD, December 2019
Music by Damon Intrabartolo. Lyrics by Jon Hartmere
REVIEWS
“Go now and see this production before it closes 12/15! Delightful and decidedly timely in its message… A thought provoking and exquisitely executed production. Utterly lovely to look at and to listen to. Take some friends and set aside some time after to discuss, you might need it..” - B.I.T.R. Sisters
“Definitely an entertaining evening of revelations and in-your-face talent. See BARE and let it remind you that kids like Jason and Peter deserve to be heard.” – MD Theatre Guide
“Iron Crow Theatre’s production of BARE couldn’t be more timely…the heart of this production and the strong character-focused numbers still provide plenty to enjoy.” - DC Metro Theatre Arts
“…a loaded weapon of a show, and often moves briskly from one topic to the other with little downtime…keeps the pace tight and the action mounting…it is so gorgeous and metaphoric, and I just couldn’t look away. The dance numbers are crisp and direct. Set Design by Jericho Stage and Bruce Kapplin is a structural wonderland. - B.I.T.R. Sisters
“There were no weak performances – at all…performed at a professional level.” – MD Theatre Guide
“Iron Crow’s BARE provides audiences with a critical piece of art produced in the history of this movement, as well as material to spark reflection on how best to move forward. A solid choice for those interested in the subject matter or for fans of niche musicals.” - DC Metro Theatre Arts
“Director/Choreographer Sean Elias has done his usual excellent job guiding the company of 14 through the action. The pace quick-stepped through two acts and left no emotion unexplored.” – MD Theatre Guide
AWARDS
#1 Show of the Week - MD Theatre Guide
Baltimore Independent Theatre Review Nomination: Best Musical
Named 1 of 16 Shows to See by Baltimore Fishbowl
A New Brain - Iron Crow Theatre, Baltimore, MD, 2019
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
REVIEWS
“…staged with smartness and sparkle by Iron Crow Theatre under the direction of Sean Elias.” - DC Theatre Scene
“…director Sean Elias’ blocking was…very clever, appropriately quirky, and pleasing to the eye…this charming piece of theatre is not one to miss...” - MD Theatre Guide
“…often stunning to hear. Likewise, all of the big solo numbers were expertly fielded…it will indeed send you out happy…a powerful theme, well-conveyed in the new Iron Crow Theatre revival...” - Broadway World
AWARDS
MD Theatre Guide #1 Show of the Week
The Rocky Horror Show - Iron Crow Theatre, Baltimore, MD, 2018, 2017, 2016
Music and Lyrics by Richard O’Brien
REVIEWS
“It’s hard to imagine a more thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience, pure fun embracing differences and celebrating sexuality. Don’t dream it, see it.” - DC Metro Theatre Arts, 2018
Directed by Artistic Director Sean Elias, Iron Crow Theatre does this horror/fantasy classic justice…Iron Crow’s “Rocky” production is well worth seeing, so grab your fishnets, corsets and high heel shoes… - MD Theatre Guide, 2017
"Having reviewed Iron Crow’s first show of their season and now this, I am extremely impressed with their high production values and organization. This is a serious theatre company and they deserve our support…When I was just a wee queerling, I went to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at a mall in a suburb of Richmond, Virginia, almost every Saturday at midnight. And I saw the 2000 Broadway production. I can confidently say, without hesitation, that I have never had as much fun seeing this material as I did seeing Iron Crow’s version." - DC Metro Theatre Arts, 2016
"What’s making ITC’s production stand-out from others popping up in the area or even in your living room view the television screen? Why it’s the delightfully decadent 1920’s Hollywood aesthetic that frames the production...all the iconic denizens of darkness are being overhauled and outfitted with a Norma Desmond couture, and the result is a bizarrely beautiful and beautifully bizarre evening with some of the most well-loved spooky scenes from the musical theatre canon. Elias’ integrated hybrid of the live stage show, complete with bags of goodies for everyone— even the virgins, makes for a rowdy evening that will please most any Rocky Horror fan, whether they’re a cult-classic film loyalist or a die-hard stage devotee...it’s a little insane but definitely a lot of fun that you won’t want to miss!" - Theatre Bloom
AWARDS
Best Musical in Professional Theatres - DC Metro Theatre Arts
Best Direction in Musicals in Professional Theatres - DC Metro Theatre Arts
Best Performances in Musicals in Professional Theatres - DC Metro Theatre Arts
The Cradle Will Rock - Iron Crow Theatre, Baltimore, MD, 2017
Music & Lyrics by Marc Blitzstein
REVIEWS
"The direction by Sean Elias is propulsive and often clever, the cast is uniformly connected to the work’s heart...from the wonderfully wacky “Honolulu” song to the rousing ensemble numbers (bracingly staged here)…I suspect Blitzstein would have loved, “The Cradle Will Rock” remains a music theater gem. It’s great that Iron Crow is giving it such thoughtful attention." - The Baltimore Sun
"...a spirited revival by Iron Crow Theatre...robust...dynamic..." - WYPR
"Iron Crow Theatre is on fire right out of the gate with its fantastic season opener, The Cradle Will Rock. Under the expert direction of Artistic Director Sean Elias, this Brechtian revival hits all the right notes – notes sadly still relevant 80 years after its Broadway opening was shut down by the federal government for fear it would incite riots…This historic musical marks an excellent beginning for Iron Crow’s 2017/18 Season of Identity…The Cradle Will Rock – with its superlative cast, beautifully synchronized choreography, and inspired direction by Iron Crow Artistic Director Sean Elias – must appear on your schedule for this weekend. Truly, the only complaint I have about this production is that it won’t be around for longer." - DC Metro Theater Arts
"Ably directed by Sean Elias, Iron Crow’s Artistic Director, this tight, well-paced production moves Iron Crow another step forward..." - MD Theatre Guide
"Iron Crow’s production, under the dynamic direction of Sean Elias,...thrilling and moving...You think you’re in for a reenactment of a historical night of American theater, but then The Cradle Will Rock gets rolling and before long you’re plunged into a musical production from Iron Crow Theatre that is scarily germane and leaves you feeling rattled and exhilarated and thinking maybe you should have worn your pink pussy hat…By the time the on-fire cast sings the last line of the show—“The cradle will ROCK!”—with fists upraised, you want to run to the streets and start a rebellion. Elias and the Iron Crow company do a fine job expressing the historical significance of the musical, but also freshly fan the flames of revolution for all Americans." - DC Theatre Scene
"Timeless 'Cradle' rocks at Iron Crow Theatre! A talented and enthusiastic ensemble under the solid direction of Sean Elias gives Iron Crow Theatre a welcome boost as it launches its new season." - OUTSpoken
AWARDs
MD Theatre Guide #1 Show of the Week
Edith Can Shoot Things & Hit Them - Iron Crow Theatre, Baltimore MD, 2016
By A. Rey Pamatmat
REVIEWS
"...ably directed by Iron Crow’s Artistic Director Sean Elias..." - DC Metro Theatre Arts
"The production values are above what you’d expect from such a small venue..." - DC Theatre Scene
"Well directed by Sean Elias… ‘Edith’ hits the mark thanks to strong acting by the three-person cast..." - MD Theatre Guide
Iron Crow Theatre is having a great year...it’s clear the new leadership of Iron Crow is doing something right. Talented actors and a creative team that refuses to skimp regardless of the length of the run make Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them, hit the mark. Grab some tickets and head down to Baltimore Theatre Project and enjoy Iron Crow’s latest success." - DC Metro Theatre Arts
"This is yet another good production from Iron Crow’s Season of Dark Play. Only a few performances remain, so hurry. “Edith“ is a sure shot." - MD Theatre Guide
"a far-too-short run...It’s a refreshing take on young love from a gay perspective...well directed by Sean Elias." - DC Theatre Scene
The Wild Party - Iron Crow Theatre, Baltimore, MD, 2015
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
REVIEWS
"...a web of debauchery that is fantastically entertaining and totally fascinating...a larger than life production, bursting at the seams with inventive touches, great pacing, and a sharp eye for details. Sean Elias’ vision for this production of The Wild Party makes it crystal clear why we need him, and Iron Crow, around for a long, long, long time." - MD Theatre Guide
"Go big or go home,' they say, and Iron Crow has done that with this impressive and uncompromising season opening production of The Wild Party." - DC Metro Theatre Arts
"What can I say? It’s the show to see in Baltimore right now and the Crows are the ones to beat. You’d be a fucking fool to miss it." - The Bad Oracle
"Deceptively delicious and deviously delightful there is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to ICT’s first musical theatre production in over half a decade." - TheatreBloom
"Director Sean Elias shifts the show’s perspective to what he calls a “sense of queerness,” and the result removes the period piece limitations, giving the production a tingling freedom and daring. - DC Theatre Scene
"The atmospheric, determinedly racy approach underlines the wild in 'Wild Party'." - The Baltimore Sun
AWARDS
MD Theatre Guide #1 Show of the Week
Top 10 Stage Productions of 2016 - Baltimore City Paper
Best Direction in Musicals in Professional Theatres - DC Metro Theatre Arts
Best Performances in Professional Theatres - DC Metro Theatre Arts
EDUCATIONAL DIRECTING EXPERIENCE
The Laramie Project - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, October 2019 (Revived January 2020)
By Moisés Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project
AWARDS
Maryland State Thespian Festival 2020 - Chapter Select (State Champions)
Outstanding Vocal Work
Outstanding Ensemble
Virtual International Thespian Festival 2020 - Chapter Select Showcase
Into the Woods - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, May 2019
Music and Lyrics By Stephen Sondheim
AWARDS
Baltimore Theatre Awards - 10 Nominations including Best Musical and 5 wins
Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Best Set Construction of a Musical
Best Props in a Musical
Best Special Effects in a Musical
An Act of God - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, February 2019
By David Javerbaum
Peter and the Starcatcher - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, September 2018 (Revived June 2019)
By Rick Elice
AWARDS
International Thespian Festival 2019 Main Stage Invitee (1 of 11 across the US and Canada)
The Cappies of Baltimore - 10 Nominations included Best Play and 1 Win
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
An Inspector Calls - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, May 2019
By J. B. Priestley
Little Women: The Broadway Musical - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, January 2018
Music by Jason Howland, Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein
AWARDS
Baltimore Theatre Awards - 8 Nominations including Best Musical and 7 wins
Best Musical
Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Best Ensemble in a Musical
Best Makeup Design of a Musical
Best Special Effects in a Musical
Best Stage Crew of a Musical
Much Ado About Nothing - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, October 2017
By William Shakespeare
AWARDS
The Cappies of Baltimore - 4 Nominations and 1 win
Best Comic Actor in a Play
Little Shop of Horrors - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, May 2017
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Proof - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, February 2017
By David Auburn
AWARDS
Best Physical Work. - Maryland State Thespian Festival, 2017
The Crucible - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, October 2016
By Arthur Miller
You Can’t Take It With You - Jemicy School - Upper School, Owings Mills, MD, April 2016 (Revived 2018)
By George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
AWARDS
Maryland State Thespian Festival, 2018
Best Technical Crew
Best Sound
Best Props
Best Hair & Makeup
OTHER AWARDS
Voyage Baltimore: 2021 Rising Star
Selected as one of Voyage Baltimore’s 2021 Rising Stars.
Baltimore Magazine: 2018 Baltimore Visionary
Selected as 1 of 30 Baltimore Visionaries by Baltimore Magazine.
American Theatre Wing: 2017 Tony Award Nominee
Excellence in Theatre Education
Baltimore Magazine: 2017 Best Breakout Theatre
Iron Crow Theatre Selected as one of Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore.
MD Theatre Guide: 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards
Iron Crow Theatre named Best Professional Theatre in the D.C. Metro Area.
MEMBERSHIPs
Actors’ Equity Association
Equity Actor, performance resumé available upon request.
Educational Theatre Association
Professional Member
American Alliance for Theatre and Education
Professional Member
Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools
Professional Member
EDUCATION
Emerson College - Boston, MA
Master of Art in Theatre Education, May 2010
Thesis: Theatre for Human and Professional Development
State of Massachusetts Licensed Theatre Teacher - Theatre All Levels
The University of the Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance, May 2008