Announcing our new Artistic Director!
August 28, 2024
After careful consideration of all applicants for the position, we’re excited to announce that Fearless Comedy Productions has chosen Eric B. Jacobson as our next Artistic Director.
You might know Eric from his performances in our last two Fearless Five productions. He also performed in shows at Minnesota Fringe over the last three years. In 2021 and 2022, he wrote and produced shows for Fringe, managing all aspects of the production, from the budget and marketing to casting and stage management. He’s tried his hand at stand-up comedy in New York City and taken classes in improv with ComedySportz here in the Twin Cities. A theater kid growing up, he studied acting with Studio ACT at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and studied playwriting with Michael Hollinger in Philadelphia and Josh Tobiessen in Minneapolis.
In addition to his theater experience, Eric has a professional background in organization development, strategic planning, communications, and nonprofit management. As a consultant, he has helped numerous nonprofit and for-profit businesses to develop compelling strategic plans and build support for their causes. More recently, he has worked in change management, working with leaders to mobilize diverse stakeholders and grow their businesses.
Born and raised in New York, Eric moved to the Twin Cities in 2019 from the San Francisco Bay Area. He’s also a West Coast Swing dancer, competitor, and teacher, and he founded a West Coast Swing dance community in San Francisco. Starting from scratch, he designed its programs, developed its leadership, and grew the local dance community, creating an internationally-recognized nonprofit organization that continues to thrive to this day.
Eric shared, “I’m thrilled and honored to accept this position leading Fearless into its next chapter. I enjoyed my experience in both Fearless productions, working with a group of kind, fun, and funny people dedicated to making great theater. I’m excited by the opportunity to help Fearless grow in this post-Covid landscape and explore new ways of creating engaging theatrical works that are truly ‘fearless.’ I can’t wait to dive in and work with this great group of people to elevate the company to new heights!”
The Board is confident that his extensive experience in organizational leadership, theater production, and nonprofit management will help Fearless continue to succeed. His strategic approach will help curate a performance season that resonates with our mission, and his ability to manage budgets, lead teams, and craft effective communications will be invaluable assets to our productions. His proven track record in producing shows, developing nonprofits, and building community – along with his commitment to inclusivity and innovation – align perfectly with our values and our mission to empower, educate, and explore the limits of comedy. We are particularly excited about his vision for the future of Fearless and how he wants to evolve our company in ways that energize and engage the local artistic community.
In the coming weeks, Eric will be getting up to speed on our operations and working with our staff to formulate a strategic plan for the company. He wants to hear from our community and will be reaching out soon to gather your feedback and better understand the opportunities to grow our company. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, you can send us a message.
Thank you for your continued support of Fearless – we would not be successful without your energy, enthusiasm, and engagement. We are truly grateful and we look forward to connecting with you again at one of our upcoming productions!