Jim Fagan

Jim Fagan is a director and writer — as well as a producer, actor, editor, and designer — whose eclectic career spans stage, screen, and tiny pocket screen. His passion for new work, comedy, and large-scale collaborations has led to many career highlights: writing for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; directing and producing for Comedy Central and Live From Lincoln Center; directing Off-Broadway and regionally; writing and directing for a new sketch series for Adult Swim currently in production; and assisting on the New York Philharmonic’s acclaimed Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson and Audra McDonald.

Jim’s theater directing credits span houses of all sizes in New York, regional theaters, universities, festivals, and new work incubators. Highlights include the aforementioned Sweeney Todd (Emmy, Special Class Program — which included a working rehearsal with Stephen Sondheim himself), assistant directing for Roundabout Theatre Company and Guild Hall, directing comedy shows at Upright Citizens Brigade NY/LA, Symphony Space galas honoring the late Hal Prince, and productions on Boston stages including Apollinaire Theatre, SpeakEasy Stage Company, and the Boston Theater Marathon. His original works — including the short play Love Always (published and produced internationally) and the recent climate-fiction The Sound (Oxford University’s climate magazine Anthroposphere) — reflect his commitment to bold comedic storytelling and new work that crosses genres and forms.

On screen, Jim’s directing and producing work ranges from prime-time to late-night TV, capturing live theater, docu-series, short films, and branded comedy. In addition to writing for The Tonight Show, he has written, directed, and produced dozens of digital series for Comedy Central, over 100 episodes of The Opposition with Jordan Klepper, ABC’s prime-time People’s List (starring Jerry O’Connell), the hit docuseries Fallen Idols (#1 on Max and now filming its second season), and marquee events for Live From Lincoln Center (Nathan Lane’s The Nance, NY Philharmonic’s Show Boat, Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton). He co-founded New York Picture Company to create original and branded comedy, and as part of Comedy Central’s digital team won multiple Webby and Shorty Awards, including Digital Media Company of the Year. His short film Zero Issue won “Best Mockumentary” at Toronto Geekfest and “Best Comedy” at the NY International Film Festival.

As a committed educator and mentor, Jim has taught directing, acting, and industry courses for the MFA program at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University, as well as workshops, lectures, and mentorships with Boston College, Babson College, Tufts University, Ish Entertainment, ACT Two Mentorship, Entertainment to Affect Change, and more. As head of the Creators Program at Comedy Central, Jim led a team of young comedians who have gone on to star on Saturday Night Live, write for The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, perform for Netflix and Adult Swim, and earn major awards and national distribution at the Sundance Film Festival and beyond.

Combining eclectic training from The Actors Studio Drama School, Boston College, the British American Drama Academy at Oxford University, and the Upright Citizens Brigade, Jim brings a diverse toolkit to his rehearsal rooms and classrooms alike. A passionate advocate for new work and collaborative spaces, he is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America East, an Associate Member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers, and SAG-eligible. He lives between Boston and New York with his wife and three kids and remains, perhaps unwisely, a lifelong New York Giants fan. 

More (plus visual aids!) at www.jim-fagan.com.

TV: Contributions to Emmy-winning productions (Sweeney Todd, Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton)

Digital: Multiple Webby and Shorty Awards for digital comedy

Theater: Best Play, Manhattan One Act Festival (Audience Participation)

Film: Best Comedy and Best Mockumentary (Zero Issue)