HEATHER LANZA is a NYC/DMV-based director, producer, and arts educator. Directorially, Heather focuses on new play development and devising original new works. Her pieces have been premiered and workshopped at Juilliard, HERE Arts Center, Epic Theater Ensemble, Keen Company, Waterwell, The Gallery Players, The Davenport, NY International Fringe, The Paradise Factory, Access Theater, The Kraine, Theater for a New City, The Players Theater, Bleecker Street Theater, Emerging Artists Theater, Magic Future Box, Manhattan Repertory Theater, and many others. Regionally, her works have been seen at Virginia Children’s Theater, Berkshire Fringe, Redhouse Arts Center, and the John Drew Theatre at Guild Hall. Heather is the Producing Artistic Director of NextStop Theatre in Herndon, VA. Heather is also the co-founder of the NYC-based Making it Happen Productions, which focuses on the voices of emerging artists who seek to use theater to engage audiences in dialogue and promote change.

Along with directing, Heather is actively engaged in Education and Applied Theater, previously serving as the Artistic Director of the Waterwell Drama Program and director of Education for Waterwell.

As a teaching artist, Heather has worked for organizations such as the Creative Arts Team’s Youth Theater, Waterwell, Harlem Children’s Zone, and CUNY/Project Rwanda. SDCF Observership Class Member, Julie Taymor World Theater Fellowship Finalist, WP Lab Semi-Finalist, and Drama League Fellowship finalist. She is an alumnae of the La Mama Director’s Symposium and Lark Literary Wing. Heather holds a BA in Directing from Fordham University and an MA in Applied Theater from CUNY School of Professional Studies. Member: Stage Directors and Choreographers Union. For more info, visit her website at www.heatherlanza.com.