JUSTIN CIMINO

Justin Cimino is a director and acting teacher based in Brooklyn, NY.

In 2026, Justin directed Imogen Says Nothing by Aditi Brennan Kapil for NYU Tisch Undergrad, and will direct Cyrano de Bergerac, adpated by Martin Crimp, for the Mainstage at Sands College of Performing Arts at Pace University.

Recent directing credits include plays by some of the most acclaimed playwrights of the last decade, including Claire Barron, Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins, Aaron Posner, Antoinette Nwandu, and Katori Hall. He has devised/directed productions at The 14th Street Y, Abrons Arts Center, Gibney Dance, Chez Bushwick, The Center at West Park, Mitu580, TheaterLab, and The Tank.

Justin teaches Acting, Movement, and Devising in the BFA Acting Program and Commercial Dance Programs at Pace University. He teaches Clown and Devising at NYU Tisch, Columbia University, The Studio/NY, The Public’s Shakespeare Initiative, Terry Schreiber Studio, Smashworks Dance Company, and Terry Knickerbocker Studio.

Justin is the former Artistic Director of Zara Aina, a nonprofit organization that brings devised theater and clowning to at-risk youth and adults in Madagascar and the United States. He was hired by UNICEF to use Zara Aina’s theater work to mobilize communities in Madagascar to fight polio. He has also brought Zara Aina’s work to rural Southern Alabama, building several original pageant-style shows with community members ages 4-84. Justin is a recipient of a SUCASA grant from the Queens Council on the Arts, for which he devised an original theater piece with senior citizens.

Justin Cimino received his BFA in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, training in the Meisner Technique. He has attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

I want every single piece of art I create to move mountains in the hearts of audiences.

I believe if the art is human, free, playful, visceral, and communal, it’s guaranteed to move people.

Whether I’m directing, devising, teaching, performing, or serving the community,
I always hold to this
List of Values:

Authenticity | Community |
Freedom | PhysicalITY | Creativity | Imagination | Humanity | Joy | Collaboration | Service | Truth |
Surprise | Curiosity | Wonder |
Play | Vulnerability | AWE |
A Childlike Sensibility

AUTHENTICITY

COMMUNITY

AWE

FREEDOM

PHYSICAL CREATIVITY

IMAGINATION

HUMANITY

JOY

COLLABORATION

SERVICE

TRUTH

SURPRISE

CURIOSITY

WONDER

PLAY

VULNERABILITY

AUTHENTICITY • COMMUNITY • AWE • FREEDOM • PHYSICAL CREATIVITY • IMAGINATION • HUMANITY • JOY • COLLABORATION • SERVICE • TRUTH • SURPRISE • CURIOSITY • WONDER • PLAY • VULNERABILITY •



“[His work] feels like a celebration of being alive.”

-Bryce Foley (actor in Pass Over, former student)

“I never miss a chance to be in the room with Justin!"

-Caroline Grogan (Zara aina colleague)

"Not only is he skilled as a deviser and teacher, but Justin reminds us to find the joy at the heart of ouR work."

-Devin Lloyd (former Clown student)

“I have never been so viscerally affected and validated by a live performance before.”

-Audience Member, Pass Over

“Justin is one of THE BEST teachers I have ever had in my entire life and I can say this with my full chest.”

-A former student