Staff
Scott Jackson
Executive Director
574.631.1563
scottjackson@nd.edu
Scott provides executive oversight for the many Shakespeare-related programs housed at the University of Notre Dame, with a specific focus on engaging our local community through the works of William Shakespeare.
Previously he served as executive director for the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he produced and performed in outdoor Shakespeare productions staged under the midnight sun at venues throughout Alaska, and subsequently presented for audiences around the globe (most notably at the VIII World Shakespeare Congress in Brisbane, Australia, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland).
Scott was also the business and legal affairs coordinator for Brighter Pictures Ltd in London (now a part of Endemol UK), where he supported the day-to-day administration of one of the United Kingdom’s most successful independent television production companies.
Jay Paul Skelton
Ryan Producing Artistic Director,
Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival
574.631.2636
gskelton@nd.edu
Jay has directed, written or produced more than 100 theatrical events in the Chicago, New York, and Boston areas over the last 20 years.
He has held administrative positions with such organizations as the Goodman Theatre, Blue Man Group, and Jane Alderman Casting.
A native of Massachusetts, Jay holds a B.S. in marketing and communications from Babson College and an M.F.A. in directing from The Theatre School, DePaul University.
Debra Gasper
Company Manager
574.631.2273
dgasper@nd.edu
Debra (photo left) is thrilled to be a part of the Shakespeare at Notre Dame team. She is responsible for coordinating the practical needs of the artistic staff, crew, and performers for the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival and Actors From The London Stage.
Debra has been a professional stage manager for 13 years and is a member of Actor’s Equity Association. Debra came to Notre Dame from Louisville, Ky, where she spent 10 years as the resident stage manager for Actors Theatre of Louisville.
She has also worked for Long Wharf Theatre, The River Rep, Cleveland Signstage Theatre, and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Debra has stage managed over 60 productions, including many productions of Shakespeare. Favorites include: The Tempest, Macbeth, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night.
Debra holds a B.A. in theatre from Indiana University at South Bend, where she teaches stage management.
Chuck Gessert
Audience Development Manager
574.631.3777
cgessert@nd.edu
Chuck has been involved in producing, directing and marketing live events in the Chicago market for more than 30 years.
Previously he has worked for Nederlander Concerts Division, General Manager of the World Music Theatre (the largest amphitheatre in the United States), and Director of Marketing for WCKG-FM, Poplar Creek Music Theatre, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and Theatre at the Center.
During his tenure at Poplar Creek, he also worked as director of maintenance, director of sales, and production manager.
He has directed 25 productions all over Chicagoland including two Jeff Recommended productions at Theatre at the Center. In some way, shape or form, Chuck estimates that he has been involved in more than 1,000 concerts, more than 100 theatrical productions, and several movies and commercials; he has also completed three marathons and one Ironman Triathlon!
Chuck holds a B.F.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois.