Brandon Bruce is an award-winning director whose work emphasizes not only a focus on the development of new works but on the staging of classics and music theatre. One of his most recent projects, THE LITTLE FOXES, was nominated for three Joseph Jefferson Awards including Best Production. From 2004 to 2007, he served as Artistic Director of Chicago’s BackStage Theatre Company where he directed THE RULING CLASS, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, TERRA NOVA, and the world premiere staging of DENISE DRUCZWESKI’S INFERNO. He has served as Artistic Associate for Chicago’s Signal Ensemble since 2003, directing CATCH-22 and performing in their productions of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and CLOSER. In 2008, Bruce co-founded and served as Co-Artistic Director of the Alley Cabaret, a late night offering of subversive theatre, dance, and music in Iowa City.

In 2007, Bruce was included as one of the “Top 20 Chicagoans to Watch” by Time Out Chicago Magazine. He received the Best Director Award from Chicago’s Orgie Awards for his 2006 staging of Slawomir Mrozek’s TANGO with the Chopin Theatre. His 2006 production of THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH received two nominations from Chicago’s Jeff Awards, winning the citation for Best Actress in a Principal Role. His staging of TERRA NOVA received a Jeff Recommendation.

Bruce also serves as Sound Designer and Fight Choreographer for most of his productions. With a special emphasis in blade work, Bruce has staged combat for ROMEO AND JULIET (Festival 56), MACBETH (Expanded Arts in NYC), THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Weathervane Playhouse), CLOSER (Signal Ensemble), DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE (Iowa Summer Rep), and THE VAMPIRE (Yale Summer Cabaret). He designed sound for ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS (BackStage Theatre) and LANDSLIDE (Signal Ensemble). He also works as a graphic designer creating posters for various productions and events.

Bruce has performed throughout the country, working with such theatres as the Cleveland Play House, Porthouse Theatre, the Yale Summer Cabaret, Iowa Summer Rep, and numerous companies in the Chicago theatre scene. Prominent roles include Kulygin in THREE SISTERS, Dwight in DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE, Gabriel in MAD FOREST, Proteus in THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Dogberry in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and the title roles in HAMLET and MACBETH.

As an educator, Bruce has taught various classes and workshops for students of all ages. He currently teaches acting, directing, and playwriting at the University of Iowa. In 2006, he served as the Drama Director for the University of Chicago’s Lab Schools. He has taught a multitude of stage combat workshops nationwide.

As the Iowa Arts Directing Fellow, Bruce received his MFA in Directing from the University of Iowa in 2010. During his time at UI, Bruce directed REEFER MADNESS! THE MUSICAL and Sam Shepard's CHICAGO. Also at Iowa, he directed numerous new works including Jen Silverman's AKARUI (IRAM Award for Outstanding Direction), Tony Meneses and Dan Roeder's new musical THE BOY IN BLACK, Tony Meneses's WHITE ELEPHANT, Jennifer Fawcett's THE TOYMAKER'S WAR, and Mary Hamilton's THIEF UNSEEN. Bruce received his undergraduate degree in acting from Kent State University where he was awarded the Cowperthwaite Acting Scholarship.