Office Space: Jemma Levy Jemma Levy, associate professor of acting and directing at Washington and Lee University, gives us a tour of her office.

By Kelsey Goodwin
October 23, 2025

Jemma Alix Levy, associate professor of acting and directing at Washington and Lee University, is a veteran stage director of more than 25 years in both professional and academic settings. She is the founder and former artistic director of Muse of Fire Theater Company and has directed critically acclaimed productions across the U.S. and internationally. Levy has been a member of the W&L faculty since 2014. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in theater and dance from Amherst College, a Master of Arts in humanities from the University of Chicago and an MFA in Shakespeare and performance from Mary Baldwin University. She also completed the three-year, graduate-level Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in stage direction at The Juilliard School, the equivalent to an MFA.

In this edition of our Office Space series, Levy shows us the objects in her office that provide inspiration and insight into her teaching, directing and scholarship.

“The boxes are actually more interesting than they look. They were designed for me by my colleague Owen Collins [professor of theater] for the directing class that I teach. They’re miniature theater spaces, all to scale, so my students can use them to plan and practice blocking. Each box has tiny pieces of furniture inside — one for every student — so they can take them home and experiment. They’re really fantastic.”

“In my much younger directing days, I was asked to direct a community play in Vermont. One of the characters in the play was part of a Punch and Judy puppet show, and my costume designer happened to be a puppet maker. This is my Punch puppet from that show. I’ve had it ever since. He’s gorgeous and terrifying. He’s supposed to be a little scary, so I’m good with that.”

“The axe is special to me. It came from the first full-length play I ever directed, ‘Blood Relations,’ about Lizzie Borden. My cast gave it to me at the end of the show, and they’d all signed it and even put fake blood on it. Two of those cast members have since passed away, so it’s deeply meaningful to me. My department also voted my office the best place to hide during a zombie invasion because of it.”

“The facsimile of the First Folio is really important to me. It’s a replica of Shakespeare’s ‘Complete Works’ as first published after his death. Between that printing and the modern editions on my shelves, so much editing has happened that the original meanings get lost. Having the facsimile lets me compare versions directly, and it’s essential for directing Shakespeare. It’s usually open to whatever play I’m working on next.”

“This map of Shakespeare’s London was a gift from George Bent [Sidney Gause Childress Professor in the Arts]. He’s been such a mentor to me here, and he brought it back from Europe. It means a lot.”

“The embroidery of the cat and the wine glass was made by my daughter. It’s based on a family joke. When I drink from our water glasses at home, the distortion makes my mouth look tiny, and she just loses it laughing. She chose that pattern and gave it to me as a gift.”

“The little wooden Shakespeare on the shelf was drawn by my son when he was 10. It started as a whiteboard doodle in my office, and I, of course, couldn’t erase it. My colleague Owen used our shop’s laser cutter to turn it into a wood carving so I could keep it forever. It really is the perfect Shakespeare.”

“The two photographs I have up in my office are my dad’s, who is a photographer, and I have a painting above my desk painted by a close family friend. They make me feel inspired and at home.”

“This poster is the ABCs through Shakespeare. Every letter is a character from one of the plays. I can explain every joke in it, like Richard III sitting on a saddle because he’s lost his horse, but I mostly just love how it sparks curiosity. People come in and say, ‘Oh, that’s what that play’s about!’ It’s a great conversation starter.”

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