Hi, I’m Jacob.
I am a socially-engaged artist, researcher, and educator, based in Chicago, IL.
What I Do
Performance
Directing, producing, writing, and acting for theatre, film, dance, and more.
Arts-Based Engagement
Community-based projects that activate conversations and facilitate learning.
Writing + Research
Arts-based and qualitative investigations of social practice, education, creativity, and health.
Creative Consulting
Dynamic approaches for strategic planning, evaluation, learning, audience engagement, and program design.
About me.
I am a socially-engaged artist, researcher, and educator. I currently work as a consultant and coach specializing in learning and community engagement, through a justice lens.
I've been a facilitator, actor, designer, sex educator, social science researcher, program manager, and more. As a consultant, I cull together the wisdom I have gained from these unique domains to offer novel tools and strategies. My goal is to help inspire new ways of looking at the world and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our communities.
I’m also currently the Senior Director of Experiential Learning at UpStart, Researcher and Education Specialist at Convergence Design Lab, and an organizer for Swarm Artist Residency.
I’ve worked with wide variety of cultural and educational institutions including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Columbia College, Redmoon, Chicago Architecture Biennial, Project Zero, and Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. I am a founding member of the FYI Performance Company at the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health.
My work explores the nature of creativity and human flourishing through a personal, philosophical, and political lens. My creative practice and research has been supported by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events and the Faber Residency in Olot, Spain.
I hold an Ed.M. in Arts in Education from Harvard University and a B.A. in Theatre from Northwestern University.
What People Are Saying
“Jacob brings a level of curiosity and epistemic humility to his work. He earned the respect of colleagues by always seeking to ask the right questions about what we know, how we know it, and how we can improve.”
— Mindy Faber, Executive Director at Convergence Design Lab
“Jacob has a truly brilliant mind and with it comes extreme curiosity, an unflappable problem-solving ability, and most importantly, an ability to translate concepts and approaches in ways that become immediately accessible for learners.”
— Lynne Pace Green, former Director of Teaching Artist Development at Columbia College Chicago
“…As an educator, Jacob is creative and eclectic, often pulling ideas and resources from unexpected places, fields and disciplines to design compelling curricula for learners.”
— Flossie S. G. Chua, Principal Investigator at Project Zero, Harvard University Graduate School of Education
