Jessie Bender

Jessie Marie Bender is a stage manager, theatre artist, and educator whose work spans professional theatre, higher education, and new play development. She holds an M.F.A. in Drama: Stage Management from the University of California, Irvine and a B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

At Chapman University, Jessie teaches courses in stage management and mentors student stage managers through departmental productions. Her teaching emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and professional preparedness, drawing from her experience in both union and non-union theatrical environments.

Jessie has worked with institutions such as the Geffen Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, and International City Theatre Long Beach. In addition to her stage management work, she is a trained intimacy director, holding certifications and training through Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) and Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE). She is passionate about advocating for safe, consent-based creative practices in the rehearsal room.

Her research interests include intimacy direction, consent practices in academic settings, and the evolving role of the stage manager as both artist and leader.