Nancy Keystone is a theatre and visual artist, and founding Artistic Director of the collaborative ensemble, Critical Mass Performance Group. She is the company’s writer, director, and scenic designer, and her work encompasses a variety of forms: epic historical projects, adaptations of classic texts, interactive salons, public happenings, social practice art. Known for exuberant theatricality and surprising collisions of ideas, CMPG was named 2013’s Best Theatre Company by the LA Weekly. Recent projects with CMPG include: “Ameryka” (Kirk Douglas Theatre, named Production of the Year & Best Ensemble by Stage Raw, 7 Ovation nominations), “Alcestis” (Getty Villa & Theatre @ Boston Court, winner of 3 awards for Best Adaptation), “Apollo” (Kirk Douglas Theatre, Portland Center Stage, named Best New Play by LA Alternative Press). As a visual artist, Ms. Keystone works in mixed media, and creates unique scenic environments for her productions. As a freelance artist she directs and designs award-winning productions around the country (Denver Center Theatre, Center Theatre Group, East West Players, Portland Center Stage, Georgia Shakespeare Festival, Long Beach Opera, among others). Awards and support: Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, United States Artists Hoi Fellowship, Theatre Communications Group’s Alan Schneider Director Award, NEA, Mellon Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, MacDowell Colony, Pew Charitable Trusts, Durfee Foundation, LA Deptartment of Cultural Affairs, Center for Cultural Innovation. She earned a BA in theatre from UCLA, and MFA in directing from Carnegie Mellon, and teaches at UCLA, Cal Arts, Cal State LA. www.nancykeystone.com