Photo (c.) Loralee Tyson, 2023 | Washington, DC

MARTHA GOES TO WASHINGTON

Over the course of 2023, I developed, directed, and starred in a new play about the whistleblower of Watergate, Martha Mitchell. Shut Up Martha premiered in the Capital Fringe in Washington DC and DC Theater Arts gave us a five-star review and named us to their Best of Fringe list.

Workshopping a new play was exciting, especially in the city where so much of the story took place. I could not have done it without an amazing group of artists who took the show on the road with me -- literally!

For 2024, I'm focused on expanding the story into a full two-act play to be performed in NYC.

Contact me if you're interested in seeing the expanded piece -- we'll hold a developmental staged reading later in 2023, and I'll post more about the full production when we have a venue and dates in 2024.

A GIRL NAMED JAKE

My first name really is Jake; I'm named after my grandfather. I tell stories that are centered on women and that are equally thought-provoking and funny.

Undergrad, I studied at the all-female Smith College, abroad at the Sorbonne, and came to NYC to get my MFA at the Actors Studio Drama School at the New School.

Since 2006, I've run my own production company, Tongue in Cheek Productions (TIC) to produce and create thought-provoking comedies. For TIC, I wear many hats -- performer, producer, director, playwright (not always at the same time -- however I did for Shut Up Martha!).

In my downtime, I am an avid long-distance walker, swimmer, cartoonist and beginner piano-player.
Photo (c.) Michael Horton, 2019 - Recent Tragic Events
Fun fact: that's me and William Douglas Turner, who played John Mitchell with me in Shut Up Martha

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO