“Over 40 years of making theater, my goal has been the same: to alter the consciousness of each audience member by telling a story with such a fresh and passionate point of view that the shared experience will change their perspective in some way.

Gathering community in person to pretend, play, and share stories is vital. In this moment, live theater should be nimble, radically inclusive, and available to everyone.

At our best, theater-makers lead revolutions, launch movements, and change societies. Let’s do that!”

– Joel Ferrell

Director. Choreographer. Educator. Consultant.

JOEL FERRELL is a seasoned director, choreographer, educator, and consultant based in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Ferrell has directed and choreographed extensively around the country for Dallas Theater Center, Denver Center Theater, Portland Center Stage, North Shore Music Theater, and many more. Mr. Ferrell is the former Associate Artistic Director of Dallas Theater Center (2011-2019) and Artistic Director of Casa Manana Musicals (Fort Worth, TX; 1996 to 2001). 

Ferrell has worked as a consultant for Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts, Circle Theater (Fort Worth, Texas), St. Andrew UMC (Plano, Texas), and Dallas Stage and Scenery to name a few. His experience as both theater producer and creator has made him valuable for non-profit and commercial organizations, re-envisioning mission, purpose, and programming.

He has served as adjunct theater faculty for Southern Methodist University, Texas Wesleyan University, The University of North Texas, The University of Texas at Arlington, as well as teaching regularly for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas.

His acting credits include Broadway National tours, regional theater, television and film, most recently appearing in the Dallas produced film Final Dress.

Ferrell is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a proud member of Society of Directors and Choreographers and Actor’s Equity Association.