About
Justin Baldridge is a New York City based director, music director, teaching artist, and acting coach. Having had the opportunity to direct and develop new works Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, and in Festival Productions, he leans towards ensemble based, edgy, dramatic work, which provokes strong emotional responses from audiences. He likes theatre to jolt an audience’s emotions, making them hyper aware of their reality and in turn forcing them to engage in figuring out how they fit into this reality.
Justin taught Theatre at the secondary level in Southern California for 10 years prior to living on the East Coast. Continuing with education he has worked at the Borough College of Manhattan as a guest lecturer on "The Directing Process." Each year he is a Guest Artist at the Florida State Thespian Festival and has worked with Tony Winner, Alice Ripley, and Tony Nominee, Rebecca Luker. He also music directs for local youth theatre companies, works at Elementary Schools in Queens and Brooklyn with the organization Together In Dance, and has coached students in New York City, Connecticut and Pelham, NY. Individualizing instruction for all ages, Justin aims to inspire and nurture the creative spirit in his students.
Eventually, he would like to teach at a college/university, while running a theatre company whose main purpose is to bridge the gap between educational theatre and professional theatre. Through mentorships between industry professionals and newly graduated students, the theatre's mission would focus on developing new works that connect emerging artists with agents, producers, and investors.
Justin earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theater and English from California State University, Fullerton and studied Directing at Roosevelt University, Chicago earning his Masters Degree.