Who We Are
Jessie Lillis
Producing Artistic Director & Co-Founder
Jessie (she/her) is a Philadelphia based, classically trained actor, director, and educator. Building on her extensive background in movement and textual analysis, she is always looking for ways to marry the body and the voice to serve storytelling. Jessie completed her BA at Ripon College and received her MLitt/MFA from Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare and Performance program in partnership with the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA. Jessie founded Starling Shakespeare Company with collaborator Heron Kennedy in 2020.
Anna Eleanor Taylor (she/her/hers) is a Cleveland based theatre maker and educator. Originally from Virginia, she holds a BA in Theatre from Southern Virginia University, and a dual Masters (MLitt and MFA) in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University. Anna founded Good Views Theatre in Buena Vista and directed their summer and fall seasons. Anna has most recently been an Actor-Teacher with Great Lakes Theater. She is thrilled to be joining Starling Shakespeare Company this season and looks forward to serving the communities that Starling will be meeting throughout the season.
Anna Eleanor Taylor
Production Touring Manager
Meet our Board
Heron (she/her) is a classically trained actor and educator from Foster, Rhode Island. After receiving her BA from Rhode Island College, Heron moved on to earn an MLitt/MFA from Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare and Performance program in partnership with the American Shakespeare Center, with a concentration in acting. During her time at MBU, Heron worked towards combining her love of text work with her desire to play, developing an approach to classical works that is as rooted in textual specificity as it is in physical storytelling. Heron founded Starling Shakespeare company alongside Jessie Lillis in 2020.