About Me

Jimmy Balistreri

I was born, raised, and went to undergrad in Wisconsin. While I started working in the theatre as an actor, I quickly found my calling when I moved to technical theatre. I enjoy both lighting and stage management. In June of 2024, I will complete my MFA in Lighting Design from UC-Irvine. Thank you for browsing my work and feel free to reach out with any questions!

The collaboration between members of a creative team is what keeps me coming back to live entertainment. I hold in high value the aesthetic insights that each of our unique backgrounds brings to the table in collaborative settings. I have a passion for creating immersive environments for patrons in all disciplines of live entertainment. At every opportunity, I strive to create a complete experience for the audience, maximizing the potential impact of the art we create.

The development of new work has also become a passion of mine. Creating new content that is geared towards live performance is what will allow theater and dance to maintain and build their relevancy to audiences increasingly trending out of live entertainment venues. The process of ideation and innovation required to develop new work has instilled in my design process the ability to elevate each show I do with unique and exciting concepts. Production teams I have been a part of have routinely found unique and exciting ways of creating impactful performances.

Resume

CV

Honors and Awards:

April, 2019: Departmental Theatre Achievement Award

Given to a graduating senior from the Ripon College Theatre Department based on their achievement during their collegiate career.

January, 2019: KCACTF Region III National Stage Management Fellow

Awarded based on my work on "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." I was awarded a trip to the Kennedy Center, where I learned from their technical crew and from tech theatre professionals from across the country.

April, 2018: Class of 1991 Award

Awarded to a Ripon College junior who has demonstrated academic success, has been highly involved across campus, and shown leadership ability.

March, 2018: KCACTF Merit Award

Awarded based on my Lighting Design and Stage Management for "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

January, 2018: KCACTF Region III Realized Design Finalist

I was a realized design finalist for my lighting design of "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike."

January, 2018: KCACTF Irene Ryan Scholarship Audition Semifinalist

I advanced to the semifinals of the Irene Ryan Auditions. I was nominated for playing the part of Angelo in "Measure for Measure."

Articles and Appearances

Dec. 30th, 2019: Best Professional Presentations of 2019 in our Region - (I worked on two of the top five regional shows listed here, as well as 2 of the Honorable Mentions.)

April 9th, 2019: KCACTF National Festival Awardees

Mar. 8th, 2019: Ripon College 2019 Choir Tour Promo

Jan. 27th, 2019: Theatre Major James Balistreri '19 Gains Experience through Internship, Competitions

Jan. 17th, 2019: Students Win Honors at Regional Theatre Festival

Apr. 19th, 2018: Awards Convocation Recognizes Outstanding Achievements of Faculty, Staff, and Students

Feb. 14th, 2018: Theatre major Jimmy Balistreri '19 Excels at Regional Theatre Festival

Feb. 2nd, 2018: Ripon College 2018 Choir Tour Promo

Dec. 17th, 2017: Students from Ripon College Plays Nominated to Perform in Theatre Competitions

Mar. 3rd, 2016: These Days at Ripon: Ripon Theatre Presents "Holiday"

Jan. 26th, 2016: Music Students Perform at Select State Events