Theatrical Performance & Design
Actor, Singer, Dancer, Stage Manager & Lighting Designer
The First Itch
The acting bug first bit Jake at the age of eleven while appearing in The Wizard of Oz. Three short years later while performing in Lost in Yonkers, he got his second bite when through the course of production his fascination grew for the behind the scenes production elements. Like most, he begin dabbling in the darker side of production elements throughout his teen years. In truth, high school was really more of a four year long summer stock experience than a collegiate preparatory one. This unknowingly was just what the doctor would come to order when the time came to begin the next chapter.
Liberal Arts Learning with a Hands on Road House
While attending Ohio Northern University to earn his undergraduate degree, he doubled down on his love for both the performance and the technical aspects of theatre. Through his entire undergraduate career, he worked at the Freed Center of the Performing Arts where served as the Hospitality Manager for two and a half seasons; working with such headliners as Frankie Avalon, Rockapella, Don McLean & Debbie Reynolds. During his final season here, he also acted as the Assistant Production Manager for the venue. In addition to his professional backstage duties, Jake continued to perform in and fill major technical positions of several productions during this time, including: The Laramie Project , Aaron Kraals/Andy Paris; The Underpants, Benjamin Cohen; Jekyll & Hyde, Lord Savage; The Cripple of Inishmaan, Bartley McCormick; Brigadoon, Harry Beaton (Fight Captain); A Funny Thing…Forum, Hysterium; All My Sons, Stage Manager; Aftershocks, Lighting Designer/PSM (NASDA in Christchurch, NZ); Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids Benefit Concert, Lighting & Scenic Designer; Emma's Child, Lighting Designer. In the end, Jake completed his undergrad and received a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance with a Dance Minor and a BFA in International Theatre Production with emphasis in Lighting Design & Stage Management.
New York, New York…It’s a Helluva Town
Since graduating and immediately relocating to NYC, Jake has been part of numerous Off-Broadway productions of which most were original works either making their world/Off-Broadway premiere. It was a first ever NYC revival, however that would begin paving the way in offering him his first break, not 24 hours after landing in the Big Apple - when he was cast in the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s production of Marat/Sade (Henry Hewes Award & AUDELCO Award nominations). Jake made his debut in this classic play as a patient and was additionally designated the show’s dance captain. Next success was found in several productions partaking in the Off-Broadway festivals circuit with the most prevalent being the New York Musical Theatre Festival and the New York International Fringe Festival. Jake has also served as an adjudicator for all but one year since arriving for the latter festival. Favorite productions over the years include: A Matter of Choice, Webb (Producer); Thank You for Being a Friend: The Musical, Blanchette; Aisle Six, Sidney Tagliarini/Store Man; Boylesque, Bryce; Bette & Berry: Back to the Bathhouse, Bette’s Towel Boy (Dance Captain); Twist: The Musical, Weasel/Thomas/Twist & Dodger u/s ( Lighting Designer); Going Down Swingin’, Stage Manager; The Robin Byrd Show Live, SM; The Facts of Life: The Lost Episode, SM; Restricted, SM.
I Will Survive
Let There Be Light - RED Lights
Here’s to the Queens on the Go
Over the past decade Jake has had the fortune of a single reliable on again, off again survival job with the communications company Spin Cycle which specializes in PR, marketing and special events, and is extremely diverse in its projects. As the Administrative Assistant, Jake assists the founding CEOs with projects, productions and speci
Over the past decade Jake has had the fortune of a single reliable on again, off again survival job with the communications company Spin Cycle which specializes in PR, marketing and special events, and is extremely diverse in its projects. As the Administrative Assistant, Jake assists the founding CEOs with projects, productions and special events of mainly a theatre arts nature produced and publicized by the company. Favorite past events include Barefoot Wines’ NYC Pride Kickoff Party, Assistant House Manager for Joan Rivers’ NYC comedy show and supervising the annual FringeNYC press and ticketing subscription mailings.
Here’s to the Queens on the Go
Let There Be Light - RED Lights
Here’s to the Queens on the Go
After several years ponding the pavement and darting from cattle call to cattle call and then a callback, an unexpected pathway appeared. So, when this opportunity to learn another area of the industry was presented, Jake decided to switch gears and joined the Producer Entertainment Group family. This groundbreaking Talent Management comp
After several years ponding the pavement and darting from cattle call to cattle call and then a callback, an unexpected pathway appeared. So, when this opportunity to learn another area of the industry was presented, Jake decided to switch gears and joined the Producer Entertainment Group family. This groundbreaking Talent Management company helped bring the art of drag mainstream by being the first to represent many top contestants from RuPaul's Drag Race. Jake, as the Talent Coordinator, is grateful for having had this opportunity and privilege to assist other artists to succeed in the arts, while also continuing to pave ways for all LGBTQ artists to find recognition and acceptance throughout the entire industry.
Let There Be Light - RED Lights
Let There Be Light - RED Lights
Let There Be Light - RED Lights
In January 2019, after a five-year hiatus in the neighboring universe of talent management, Jake reconnected with his first love of theatrical performance & design. Almost immediately, fresh out of the gate, Jake first dived headfirst back into the Off-Broadway theatre scene as the Lighting Designer & Production Stage Manager for the US P
In January 2019, after a five-year hiatus in the neighboring universe of talent management, Jake reconnected with his first love of theatrical performance & design. Almost immediately, fresh out of the gate, Jake first dived headfirst back into the Off-Broadway theatre scene as the Lighting Designer & Production Stage Manager for the US Premiere production of BLEACH by Dan Ireland-Reeves. In his first design for the immersive theatre genre, he could not rely on traditional theatrical instruments and design etiquette. Though it has not been verified, it is thought that in solely utilizing components from the Philips Hue LED lighting line in both the design and execution of running the show via the company’s app, he may have given the NYC theatre world a new and quite possible first time experience.
Friends will be missed...can't say the same for those heels!
The Final Countdown!
It is, as always, with a heavy heart that The Housewives of Secaucus: What a Drag! has announced it's closing date. Five more chance to catch Jake as Brenda Nucci in this drag theatre musical comedy that will forever be apart of Off-Broadway history as one of the first productions to open after the pandemic closing.