Ansley Valentine
Director/Actor/Artistic Leadership
SDC/AEA
Current and Upcoming Productions
THE WIZ -- Kent State University
Wildhorne's JEKYLL AND HYDE -- IU Studio Theatre
MAPLE AND VINE -- Constellation Stage & Screen
Directed by Ansley Valentine
This musical comedy is based on the story “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, with book by William F. Brown and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. With a dazzling mix of rock, gospel and soul music, this timeless tale of Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz is a fun, family-friendly, modern musical. “The Wiz” will be directed by Ansley Valentine, the 2024-2025 Roe Green Visiting Director.
Feb. 21–March 2, 2025
MAPLE AND VINE -- Constellation Stage & Screen
Wildhorne's JEKYLL AND HYDE -- IU Studio Theatre
MAPLE AND VINE -- Constellation Stage & Screen
Directed by Ansley Valentine
Welcome to the corner of Maple & Vine, where every day is 1955. Katha and Ryu have become allergic to their 21st-century lives. When they meet a charismatic man from a community of 1950s re-enactors, they decide to forsake cell phones and DoorDash for cigarettes and Tupperware parties. But after moving to this compulsively authentic world, Katha and Ryu are surprised by what their new neighbors – and they themselves – are willing to sacrifice for happiness. March 27 - April 13, 2025
Wildhorne's JEKYLL AND HYDE -- IU Studio Theatre
Wildhorne's JEKYLL AND HYDE -- IU Studio Theatre
Wildhorne's JEKYLL AND HYDE -- IU Studio Theatre
Directed by Ansley Valentine
The epic struggle between good and evil comes to life on stage in the musical phenomenon, Jekyll & Hyde. Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson and featuring a thrilling score of pop rock hits from multi-Grammy- and Tony-nominated Frank Wildhorn and double-Oscar- and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde has mesmerized audiences the world over.
May 2025
Past Productions
SANCTUARY CITY -- Indiana University
SANCTUARY CITY -- Indiana University
SANCTUARY CITY -- Indiana University
Directed by Ansley Valentine
Two teenagers brought to America as children become one another’s sanctuaries from the harsh realities of a world changed by the recent events of 9/11. Wells-Metz Theatre. Sept. 27- Oct. 5, 2024. Tour October/November 2024. Invited to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 3 in Madison, WI January 9, 2025.
FOREVER PLAID -- IU Summer Theatre
SANCTUARY CITY -- Indiana University
SANCTUARY CITY -- Indiana University
Directed by Ansley Valentine, Choreographed by DJ Gray, and Musical Direction by Brandon Magid.
Join us for this delightfully goofy reincarnation of four male singers who didn’t quite make it to their first big concert. Miraculously, they’ve come back to life for a revival, serving up some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the 1950s. July 5-28, 2024
OTHELLO -- Ohio Shakespeare Festival
SANCTUARY CITY -- Indiana University
THE MOUNTAINTOP -- Florida Repertory Theatre
Directed by Ansley Valentine.
A Shakespearean masterpiece that explores the twisted pathways of prejudice, jealousy, and betrayal performed live under the stars. Performed outdoors at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. August 1-18, 2024
THE MOUNTAINTOP -- Florida Repertory Theatre
THE MOUNTAINTOP -- Florida Repertory Theatre
Directed by Ansley Valentine
A gripping and electrifying play that reimagines the night before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. It’s April 3, 1968, and after delivering his most memorable speech, an exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
Dec. 12, 2023 - Jan. 14, 2024
LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL -- Florida Repertory Theatre
In this powerful musical tour-de-force, the ArtStage Studio transforms into the gritty Philadelphia bar where legendary Jazz singer Billie Holiday gave one of her final public performances. Filled with her most beloved songs like “Strange Fruit,” “God Bless the Child,” and “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do.” “ORIGINAL AND RIVETING!” —London Times
Sep. 20, 2022 - Oct. 30, 2022
BLACKADEMICS -- Cleveland Play House
Cleveland Play House presents its final virtual play for the 2020/21 theatrical season, BLACKADEMICS, a dark comedy written by Idris Goodwin! Directed by Ansley Valentine.
THE MOUNTAINTOP -- Cardinal Stage
Directed by Ansley Valentine
As a storm rages outside the Lorraine Motel, the tension builds inside Room 306. It’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night on earth, but he doesn’t know it yet. When a mysterious stranger arrives with surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy.
March 3 – 20, 2022
SECURITY -- Kane Rep
Kane Rep produced Hammaad Chaudry's SECURITY, Starring Eric Roberts. Roberts, an Academy Award and multiple Golden Globe nominee, stars alongside Chicago actor Harsh J. Gagoomal. Commissioned by Kane Rep, directed by Ansley Valentine. April-May 2021.
BIG BREATH -- Alleyway Theatre
BIG BREATH -- Alleyway Theatre
BIG BREATH, A new play by Elizabeth Gjelten. Starring Tony Award nominee Elizabeth Stanley Directed by Ansley Valentine. Alleyway Theatre STREAMED NOV 7-22, 2020 as part of the 20/21 Season: November Digital Theatre Festival.
About Ansley Valentine
Ansley Valentine is a professional director and actor for the theatre and musical theatre and an educator with experience teaching at the collegiate level and in both public and private performing arts high schools. Ansley is currently a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and Actors Equity Association (AEA). His many awards include a 2014 Telly Award for his film Unchanging Principles, a Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for his efforts to promote college and university theatre across the country, as well as numerous Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Certificates of Merit for direction. Ansley holds an M.F.A. in Directing from Indiana University and a B.A. in Theatre from Wabash College. He is a co-founder and the producing artistic director of Ohio Youth Ensemble Stage, a professionally-managed summer youth theatre program that celebrates diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity for all students no matter their ability.
Contact Me Today
On Air
WFIU-FM Profiles
On this episode of Profiles, host Ashley Chilla asks me about my life and career, the current state of "Zoom" theatre productions, and the role of diversity in arts education. Ashley Chilla is the co-host of Journey Indiana on WTIU. Profiles is a weekly one-hour radio program produced by WFIU Public Radio featuring interviews with local and national figures affecting the Bloomington, IN community.