We are thrilled to announce that Jess Kaufman, Flying Leap's Producing Artistic Director, has been selected to serve as Acting Executive Director of TYA/USA for the next three months while current Executive Director Sara Morgulis is on maternity leave. This appointment recognizes both Jess's expertise and impact in theater for young audiences.
About Jess Kaufman
Jess Kaufman is a multidisciplinary artist, dramaturg, producer, and researcher whose work has been focused around theatre for young people. She holds an MA from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, a BFA from the University of Miami, and has studied at the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia.
As a practitioner-researcher, Jess works at the intersection of young audiences, embodiment, participation and site-specificity. She is a frequent international conference presenter with credits including the Prague Quadrennial, NYU Forum on Educational Theatre, Theater and Dance for the Very Young Conference, TYA/USA Festival, and the 2024 ASSITEJ World Congress in Cuba. Her writing has been published in peer-reviewed journals including ArtsPraxis and Theatre and Performance Design, and she co-edited Embodied Cognition, Acting and Performance (Routledge, 2017).
Jess has been a New Victory Theater LabWorks Artist and a New York Foundation for the Arts "Emerging Arts Leader." Her work has received support from ART New York, Arts Council England, the New York City Artist Corps, and other major funders.
Understanding TYA/USA's National Impact
TYA/USA serves as the American branch of ASSITEJ, the international association dedicated to theater for young people and families. As the national service organization promoting professional theatre for young audiences, TYA/USA connects artists, educators, and organizations across the country through advocacy, networking, and professional development.
The organization's annual National Festival & Conference serves as the largest gathering in the field, attracting around 350 leaders, educators, and artists for artistic exchange and live performances. The upcoming 2025 conference will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., celebrating TYA/USA's 60th anniversary.
Flying Leap's Mission and Innovation
Under Jess's artistic leadership, Flying Leap brings interactive, site-specific theater to families around the world. The company creates thoughtful, participatory performance around sometimes complicated subject matter, taking place in communities outside traditional theater spaces with emphasis on accessibility and joy.
Notable projects include Beyond the Wall, featuring 15-foot tall puppets at the US/Mexico border exploring immigration, which has performed in Nogales, New York, and Prague; The Garden, a meditative performance for the very young and families in public green spaces; and Lights in the Sky, immersive Jewish spiritual theater for families with children aged 4-10.
Significance of This Appointment
This appointment reflects not only Jess's individual accomplishments but also the respect she has earned within the national theater community. We couldn't be prouder to see her expertise recognized on this scale and look forward to the positive impact her leadership will have on the field. Jess will continue her duties as Flying Leap's Artistic Director during this period.
Please join us in congratulating Jess on this well-deserved recognition and exciting new challenge!