Meet the Director

Jason A. Vales

Jason has spent over 35 years in the theatre.  He began as a child actor then became a writer/director and finally founded and Artistic Director of his theatrical production company Treefinger.
 
He has studied at Columbia College, New York Film School and Second City. Jason has stage-managed at Steppenwolf and The Goodman in Chicago. He was assistant director on the Jeff Jefferson award winning production of BS at Free Associates Theatre. He is a well-reviewed writer and resident director for Studio Z Digital Theatre in Chicago.
 
Jason directed several plays for TheatresCool in Bloomington and served as their resident Production Director. Jason is delighted to return to Heartland Theatre after a wonderful experience directing several plays in last year’s 10-Minute Play Festival.
 
Jason has worked in every position in theatre but his true passion is directing. The opportunity to direct a Lynn Nottage play and to expose characters to the Heartland stage that have never been seen before, is an honor. Jason feels that his realistic style of directing is perfect for the intimate stage and grittiness of this production!
 
Jason dedicates this production to his dad who spent his entire life incarcerated and to all those that get up every day and go to work to simply survive. Jason thanks his artistic team as well as Gail and Rhys for their support and belief in this project. 
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