Bryan W. Simon

Bryan W. Simon is an award-winning and critically acclaimed director, writer and visualist. Most recently, Bryan directed the big screen adaptation of the Tony Award ® winning Broadway show, Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!. Previously, Bryan directed his third film, the comedy documentary I'm No Dummy, the first feature length documentary on ventriloquism. Before that, Bryan directed the critically acclaimed indie feature Along For The Ride, which won Best of Fest - Saguaro Film Festival International. In addition. Bryan directed the critically acclaimed short film, The Second Room, Gold Award, WorldFest Charleston. Bryan became interested in film at a very young age, first buying a Super 8 camera and making short films with two of his friends Rick Kendrick and Kimmer Olesak. Later using an old Bolex 16mm crank camera they made a short surreal film entitled, Loose Fitting Dresses Are Easiest To Get Into. The film, influenced by the likes of Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali, had nothing to do with dresses, loose fitting or otherwise. From 1984 to 1993, Bryan was the Founder and Artistic Director for the nationally renowned Chicago area Stage Two Theatre Company. Under Bryan's direction, Stage Two stimulated thought and aroused the imagination with its choice of productions. The ensemble believed that theater is a vehicle to inform and disseminate ideas, a catalyst for change. Their productions reflected a strong social conscience. From 1990 through 1992, Bryan also toured the country portraying an unjustly imprisoned photographer in the one-man play, La Loma. It won three Drama-Logue Awards including Outstanding Achievement in Performance and many Critics Choices. From 1994 to 2000, Bryan was the Artistic Director for the national Coast To Coast Theatre Company. In addition, Bryan founded and was the Artistic Director of the Ray Bradbury Play & Film Festival in Waukegan, Illinois. Bryan made his professional acting debut at age 11 years old in a production of The Prince And The pauper. He directed his first professional stage play at age 17, directing the regional tour of a children's show entitled Jack and the Wishing Beans for the Roundtree Players. He has directed numerous professional stage productions including Midwest, West Coast and world premieres and developed over 40 world premieres with his theater companies.