The Director
Meet Jason Wright
His Philosophy
The Literal, Essential, and Personal Method
Jason teaches his students a three-step analysis he learned from the legendary Zism King: first, describe the literal object in front of you. Then name what it's essentially for. Then find where it lives in your own life.
From that analysis, a character emerges. A Martinelli's bottle becomes a 13-year-old cross-country runner — sweaty from practice, a little closed off, but just waiting for someone to give him a slight twist.
“The cosmos exist in a single lid,” Jason says. Once a student sees that, they can find the whole world in anything. That's the work.
His Background
13 Years, One Stage
Since 2012, Jason Wright has led the theater program at Piedmont High School — building from the ground up a program where students learn not just to perform, but to be present to the specific truth of their character.
He's seen students step onto a stage for the first time and discover something about themselves they couldn't find anywhere else. He's watched alumni return years later saying, “I wish I could see it again.” That's why this archive exists.
The school is now expanding — a new art and science wing with a possible stage extension is in development. The program is growing because the work speaks for itself.
Get in TouchWhat We Stand For
The program's core commitments
Specificity over generality
Generic characters bore audiences. Specific characters reveal truth. Every exercise drives students toward the particular.
Every student has a role
There is no such thing as a student who can't do theater. There are only students who haven't found their character yet.
The archive matters
13 years of work should not live on a phone or a private YouTube link. These shows shaped people. They deserve a permanent home.
Want to support the program?
Donations go directly to Piedmont City Schools theater department.
DonateContact Jason