Joanna Gleason’s journey into directing was a natural evolution of her artistic path, born out of her deep understanding of storytelling and a desire to have a greater hand in shaping the creative process. After years of successful acting on Broadway and in television, she found herself increasingly drawn to the idea of guiding others through their performances, much as she had once been guided. She realized that directing would allow her to combine her passion for character development with her innate ability to see the bigger picture of a production. Gleason’s experience as an actress gave her a unique perspective, allowing her to connect with performers in a way that was both empathetic and constructive. Her first foray into directing came in the early 2000s, when she directed a production of The Sisters Rosensweig at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. That experience sparked her love for the craft and solidified her belief that directing gave her a deeper sense of fulfillment—a chance to work collaboratively, shape narratives, and create something larger than any single performance. Her transition to directing was not just a career shift; it was a natural extension of her lifelong passion for the arts, allowing her to impact the creative world in new and meaningful ways.