Jessica Zivny
CURRENT:
Props Supervisor / Poor Yella Rednecks / New York City Center (MTC Stage 1) / Dir. May Adrales
Props Supervisor / Jaja’s African Hair Braiding / Samuel J. Friedman Theatre / Dir. Whitney White
Costume Crafts / How to Dance in Ohio / Belasco Theatre / Sammi Cannold
Certified Interior Decorator for Interiors by Jessica Lee
UPCOMING:
Props Supervisor / Prayer for the French Republic / Samuel J. Friedman Theatre / Dir. David Cromer
Props Supervisor / Brooklyn Laundry / New York City Center (MTC Stage 1) / Dir. John Patrick Shanley
RECENT:
Props Supervisor / The Best We Could / New York City Center (MTC Stage 1) / Dir. Daniel Aukin
Props Supervisor / Summer, 1976 / Samuel J. Friedman Theatre / Dir. Daniel Sullivan
Set Decorator / Dylan Mulvaney’s Day 365 Live! / Live Broadcast Event @ the Rainbow Room / Dir. Katie Spelman
Props Supervisor / King James / New York City Center (MTC Stage 1) / Dir. Kenny Leon
Props Supervisor / The Collaboration / Samuel J. Friedman Theatre / Dir. Kwame Kwei-Armah
Props Supervisor / A Sherlock Carol (‘22 remount) / New World Stages / Dir. Mark Shenahan
Props Supervisor / Cost of Living / Samuel J. Friedman Theatre / Dir. Jo Bonney
Props Supervisor / Where the Mountain Meets the Sea / New York City Center (MTC Stage 1) / Dir. Joshua Kahan Brody
Props Supervisor / Everything’s Fine / Daryl Roth Theatre / Dir. John Lithgow
Co-Props Supervisor / F*ck 7th Grade / The Wild Project / Dir. Lisa Peterson
Props Supervisor / How I Learned to Drive / Samuel J. Friedman Theatre / Dir. Mark Brokaw
Props Supervisor / Skeleton Crew / Samuel J. Friedman Theatre / Dir. Ruben Santiago Hudson (*Tony Award Nom. Best Scenic Design)
Props Supervisor / A Sherlock Carol ‘21 / New World Stages / Dir. Mark Shenahan
Props Supervisor / Golden Shield / New York City Center (MTC Stage 1) / Dir. May Adrales
Props Supervisor / Prayer for the French Republic / New York City Center (MTC Stage 1) / Dir. David Cromer
Props Supervisor / Lackawanna Blues / Samuel J. Friedman Theatre / Dir. Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Props Supervisor / Morning Sun / New York City Center (MTC Stage 1) / Dir. Lila Neugebauer
Props Supervisor / A Crossing / Barrington Stage Co. / Dir. Joshua Bergasse
Props Supervisor / Mornings at Seven / Theatre at St. Clements
Props Designer / A Dozen Dreams / Brookfield Place / Co-Conceived and Created by Anne Hamburger with John Clinton Eisner and Irina Kruzhilina
Project Coordinator for Everything Props
WHY PROPS? Props is about having an open mind and a willingness to jump right in. It’s about being fearless with materials and tools, and mindful about how objects work. It’s about knowing how to take it apart so you can put it back together. It’s about having a never ending hunger to learn how to do everything, and to learn it well. It’s about having high expectations of yourself and your art. It’s about adapting to changes with grace and preparedness. It’s about getting into the mind of designers and directors in order to support their telling of a clear and nuanced story. It’s about creating and finding objects that seamlessly blend into the world of the production, only to be noticed by… other props people ;)
JOURNEY: My career in theatre began when I started directing school musicals at just 18 years old. I then continued working in Educational Theatre for over 10 years. Directing, choreographing, running stage crews, building scenery and costumes, and even doing some electrics here and there. I got my MS in Educational Theatre at CCNY while simultaneously working in technical theatre, often as a stagehand, scenic painter, or even… a props person. (I know... SHOCKING!)
My career shifted from Educational Theatre when I fell in love with Stage Management. My love of organization and my desire to be a positive diplomatic leader in every room was met. I stage managed for several years, and eventually turned Equity. I love breathing life into a live show. I love carrying the momentum from the booth, or running the show backstage as an ASM. (Which I actually prefer!)
As an inherently creative person, I found myself daydreaming about getting covered in paint and sawdust. Not having my hands on a project, to me, feels like a part of me is missing. In Educational Theatre, I was always surrounded by opportunities to solve creative problems. I decided to commit to the life I’ve always (not so) secretly wanted: to be an everything maker, and an ultimate creative problem solver, an organizer and leader of creative endeavors, as a Props Master.
On a more personal note, I am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. AND! I am also a Certified Interior Decorator. I do consulting, home makeovers, home organizing, custom decor, and more. To see my interiors work, visit: www.interiorsbyjessicalee.com