Dr. Helen Jaksch

Degrees: DFA in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism (YSD, 2021), MFA in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism (YSD, 2015), MA in Performance Studies (NYU, 2011), BA in Theatre and English (Tulane, 2009)

Dr. Helen Jaksch (she/they) is a dramaturg, director, performer, and educator born and raised in El Paso, TX. Helen recently earned her D.F.A. in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism from Yale School of Drama in 2021. Her dissertation, “Real Live Kids! Real Live Theatre!: Youth-Centered Theatre in America, 1980s-Present,” investigates theatre companies and programs that center youth voice and leadership in the theatre-making process. Additional writings on theatre and performance can be found in TDR, Theater magazine, The NOLA Defender, and Performing Fiction.

Their recent projects include: Dramaturg for Julius Caesar (New Orleans Shakespeare Festival), Dramaturg for The Family Line (Goat in the Road Productions), and Voice Actor for Houdini and Margery and Medium (Snake’s Paw), Creative Director for Theatre For One (Loyola University, Fall 2020), Dramaturg for Dave Osmundsen’s Dummy Class (Kennedy Center), Dramaturg for Magnum Opus (Transitory Theatre, Spring 2020), Director for Native Gardens (Southern Rep Theatre), and Producer/Sound Designer for Knuffle Bunny (Southern Rep Theatre). At Loyola, she has directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Comedy of Errors, and Everyone and Everything, a devised play created with TAD Students.

Helen’s research and artistic interests include youth-centered theatre, arts education, participatory theatre, community-based arts, performance studies, Russian/Soviet avant-garde, allegory and allegorical theatre, and dramaturgy as a supportive, creative, and generative practice.