Staff
Cristina Alicea
Producing Artistic Director
During her tenure she has directed the world premiere of DOUBLEWIDE by Stephen Spotswood and THE QUARRY by Greg Pierce (SLOWGIRL, THE LANDING), THE CLEAN HOUSE by Sarah Ruhl, BOOM by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, VENUS IN FUR by David Ives, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE by Christopher Durang, THE MOUNTAINTOP by Katori Hall, and THE CALL by Tanya Barfield. Prior to her arrival in Burlington, Cristina spent a year working as Assistant to the Managing Director at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. As a freelance director she has worked with The Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Culture Project, Forum Theatre DC, The American Globe Theatre, the FringeNYC Festival, Theatre Rhinoceros, Next Stop Theatre, University of Vermont, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Cristina was a finalist for a Denham fellowship given by the Society of Directors and Choreographers for emerging female directors and is a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab. Cristina has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from George Mason University.
Producing Artistic Director
During her tenure she has directed the world premiere of DOUBLEWIDE by Stephen Spotswood and THE QUARRY by Greg Pierce (SLOWGIRL, THE LANDING), THE CLEAN HOUSE by Sarah Ruhl, BOOM by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, VENUS IN FUR by David Ives, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE by Christopher Durang, THE MOUNTAINTOP by Katori Hall, and THE CALL by Tanya Barfield. Prior to her arrival in Burlington, Cristina spent a year working as Assistant to the Managing Director at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. As a freelance director she has worked with The Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Culture Project, Forum Theatre DC, The American Globe Theatre, the FringeNYC Festival, Theatre Rhinoceros, Next Stop Theatre, University of Vermont, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Cristina was a finalist for a Denham fellowship given by the Society of Directors and Choreographers for emerging female directors and is a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab. Cristina has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from George Mason University.
Jamien L. Forrest
General Manager
Jamien began her role as General Manager of Vermont Stage in 2014 and for the past fifteen years she has worked for theaters throughout the region in many capacities including production, design, administration, and education. She was stage manager for Vermont Stage way back in 2005 and again from 2010-2014. Jamien lived in New York City where she spent over two years working at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts with Lincoln Center Institute (now called Lincoln Center Education) where she served on the production team as technical supervisor and contributed administratively as rental coordinator for the Clark Studio Theater and Samuel’s Teaching Studio. She also worked Off-Broadway at New World Stages as stage manager and licensed laser operator for The Gazillion Bubble Show. She has additional experience as technical director and Youth Theater Director at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire and spent two seasons on tour with American Theater Arts for Youth. She has also worked as a freelance lighting designer for NYCDA in NYC, Wallis Knot Theater (NYC), Vermont Stage, SEABA’s Strut! Fashion Show (Burlington, VT) and Flynn Arts (Burlington, VT). Jamien holds a B.A. from The University of Vermont and lives in Colchester with her husband, two young boys, and three dogs.
General Manager
Jamien began her role as General Manager of Vermont Stage in 2014 and for the past fifteen years she has worked for theaters throughout the region in many capacities including production, design, administration, and education. She was stage manager for Vermont Stage way back in 2005 and again from 2010-2014. Jamien lived in New York City where she spent over two years working at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts with Lincoln Center Institute (now called Lincoln Center Education) where she served on the production team as technical supervisor and contributed administratively as rental coordinator for the Clark Studio Theater and Samuel’s Teaching Studio. She also worked Off-Broadway at New World Stages as stage manager and licensed laser operator for The Gazillion Bubble Show. She has additional experience as technical director and Youth Theater Director at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire and spent two seasons on tour with American Theater Arts for Youth. She has also worked as a freelance lighting designer for NYCDA in NYC, Wallis Knot Theater (NYC), Vermont Stage, SEABA’s Strut! Fashion Show (Burlington, VT) and Flynn Arts (Burlington, VT). Jamien holds a B.A. from The University of Vermont and lives in Colchester with her husband, two young boys, and three dogs.
Danielle Sessler
Education and Community Outreach Coordinator
Danielle comes to Vermont Stage by way of New York City. Before moving to Burlington, Danielle worked for three years as a Video Producer at the advertising agency R/GA, producing commercials and social content for brands such as Verizon, Samsung, Jet.com, and Ad Council. Previously, Danielle worked at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY in a variety of different roles including Literary Manager, Artistic Assistant, Casting Assistant and as Assistant Director for a production of The 39 Steps. Danielle most recently worked in education with the New England Youth Theatre in Brattleboro, VT both as associate director for a production of James and the Giant Peach Jr., and as a director for their program Town Schools Theatre. She’s worked as a Teaching Artist at the Neighborhood Musical School Audubon Arts program, the Weston Field Club, the Ridgefield Theatre Barn, and the Hanger Theatre’s KIDDSTUFF program. Favorite directing and assistant directing credits include a modern adaption of The Bacchae by Euripides, and Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Ithaca College.
Education and Community Outreach Coordinator
Danielle comes to Vermont Stage by way of New York City. Before moving to Burlington, Danielle worked for three years as a Video Producer at the advertising agency R/GA, producing commercials and social content for brands such as Verizon, Samsung, Jet.com, and Ad Council. Previously, Danielle worked at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY in a variety of different roles including Literary Manager, Artistic Assistant, Casting Assistant and as Assistant Director for a production of The 39 Steps. Danielle most recently worked in education with the New England Youth Theatre in Brattleboro, VT both as associate director for a production of James and the Giant Peach Jr., and as a director for their program Town Schools Theatre. She’s worked as a Teaching Artist at the Neighborhood Musical School Audubon Arts program, the Weston Field Club, the Ridgefield Theatre Barn, and the Hanger Theatre’s KIDDSTUFF program. Favorite directing and assistant directing credits include a modern adaption of The Bacchae by Euripides, and Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Ithaca College.
