LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
"As a director, you’ll find Jason to be a strong leader who will not only effectively communicate his ideas, but inspire the team around him. In every production he directed he received nothing but praise from his actors – they all wanted to know when they could work with him again. He’s a good listener, and a team player and does whatever it takes to ensure everyone stays on the same page. I also believe people are drawn to how well-grounded and calm he is as a person. Nothing seems to shake him. He just gets his job done and somehow makes it an enjoyable process for everyone no matter the circumstances."
Emily Jones, MFA Theatre Program Chair Lindenwood University |
"His strength as a director clearly includes a courageous visual aesthetic and bold choices, but the atmosphere created in the space conveys the work of a truly collaborative spirit. Jason has a remarkable ability to create ensemble and equity within a cast of actors. He draws brave, expressive work from actors, who will inevitably trust him to challenge them while respecting their space – creatively, psychologically and physically. He is naturally kinesthetic and expressive, which is reflected in the actors’ bodies on stage. He is a rare mix of enthusiasm, multiple intelligences, creative thinking, flexibility, drive, empathy, humanity, and humility."
Natalie Turner-Jones Adjunct Professor of Theatre Lindenwood University |
"What's most interesting about Jason is his versatility as a theatre [artist]. He has distinguished himself as an actor in major and minor roles, and this experience has contributed to his success as a stage director. He has also learned much as an assistant director, production coordinator and technician in our shows, and directed for the KCACTF regionals. In doing so he has earned the respect of all his classmates and assumed many leadership roles in our program."
"He's a very intelligent actor and director, and also very creative in bringing unique personal interpretations and ideas into the rehearsal process. I've been grateful for this when directing him in my productions and observed this in his work as a student director. Additionally, he has worked with visiting professional actors and directors and learned much from them in terms of hard work, preparation for roles, and performing as a valuable team member in ensemble situations... I feel that Jason's commitment to building a career in the professional theatre is beyond question." Dr. Roger Ellis Professor of Theatre Grand Valley State University Founder, Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival |
"Jason brings an interesting mix of skills and experience to the table! As a theatre major at GVSU, he successfully assistant directed, directed, and acted in several mainstage and studio productions. He is a sensitive and talented theatre artist, passionate about story-telling and character development... [As a director], he was able to bring the world of the play to life through the text and the acting alone. He worked with both experienced and less experienced student actors [and] was able to get the actors' trust and confidence without compromising his leadership and directing concept."
"[As an assistant director and actor], he was able to keep up with all the work I required of him very successfully. He always had interesting insights and thoughts about possible developments and research... I was pleased with how fast he was able to provide meaningful contributions on material he had never had the chance to work on before." Kiara Pipino, MFA Visiting Professor of Theatre 2012-15 Grand Valley State University |
STUDENT RESPONSES AND EVALUATIONS:
The following feedback was anonymously collected from undergraduate performers after the completion of a play production, studio scene, or academic course.
"One of the best directors I have worked with. Through his direction, I grew as an actor."
"It was such a pleasure to work with Jason. His rehearsals were a safe space to create art. He was very encouraging about making big choices, and that helped me feel more comfortable with my acting."
"I loved working with Jason! He constantly pushed me to be a better actor and encouraged me to try new things. He always found time to work individually with us if we were struggling. I would agree to work with Jason again in a heartbeat!"
"He helped me learn and make better choices as an actor. He also had me do some great exercises that helped develop the scene and he made me think and understand why or who I was as the character."
"He gives very clear directions and leads you to making your own choice rather than just telling you what he wants."
"[He connects] with his students in a way that makes them feel intelligent and valued. He's never spoken down to a student or made them feel lesser for making a mistake or not knowing something. He's incredibly kind and funny, and I've enjoyed every moment of his class."
"Professor Flannery's strengths are working with others to inspire them and show them that they can do a lot when more thought is put into [their work]."
"[He] made everyone in the classroom feel comfortable and [that they could] express themselves. I think that was something that I really enjoyed [and] made all the quiet students feel comfortable."
"I feel like this was the first time any type of voice of mine has come out in any [college class]. I definitely believe I have a voice that I myself never thought I had before doing this project."
"[He's] the first online professor that I feel like I actually know. I really appreciated [his] feedback more than anything. The time [he] puts into letting us know how we've done does not go unnoticed."
"[His] class, though online, felt like a safe place to learn."
"It was such a pleasure to work with Jason. His rehearsals were a safe space to create art. He was very encouraging about making big choices, and that helped me feel more comfortable with my acting."
"I loved working with Jason! He constantly pushed me to be a better actor and encouraged me to try new things. He always found time to work individually with us if we were struggling. I would agree to work with Jason again in a heartbeat!"
"He helped me learn and make better choices as an actor. He also had me do some great exercises that helped develop the scene and he made me think and understand why or who I was as the character."
"He gives very clear directions and leads you to making your own choice rather than just telling you what he wants."
"[He connects] with his students in a way that makes them feel intelligent and valued. He's never spoken down to a student or made them feel lesser for making a mistake or not knowing something. He's incredibly kind and funny, and I've enjoyed every moment of his class."
"Professor Flannery's strengths are working with others to inspire them and show them that they can do a lot when more thought is put into [their work]."
"[He] made everyone in the classroom feel comfortable and [that they could] express themselves. I think that was something that I really enjoyed [and] made all the quiet students feel comfortable."
"I feel like this was the first time any type of voice of mine has come out in any [college class]. I definitely believe I have a voice that I myself never thought I had before doing this project."
"[He's] the first online professor that I feel like I actually know. I really appreciated [his] feedback more than anything. The time [he] puts into letting us know how we've done does not go unnoticed."
"[His] class, though online, felt like a safe place to learn."