Jesse J. Sanchez

JESSE J. SANCHEZ is an award-winning composer-lyricist, playwright, and music director. He is a highly sought-after collaborator in theatre, opera, TV, and film.

As composer, lyricist, and librettist, his works include co-librettist for desert in (Boston Lyric Opera, Long Beach Opera; finalist for 2022 Opera America's Digital Excellence in Opera Award), book, music, and lyrics for Black Friday! (Prospect Theater Company's Musical Theater Lab), music and co-lyricist for The Fezziwig Promise (The 24 Hour Plays), book for Clopening (Prop Thtr Small Hours Festival), and book, music, and lyrics for SUEÑOS: Our American Musical, which has been developed at The Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals, Barn on Fire Musical Residency (produced by Fire Island Pine Arts, Nicole La Fountaine, and NYTB), New York Theatre Barn, 2021 Frank Young NAMT Development Grant, Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Black Swan Lab, and The Choreography Lab. His work has been featured at the NAMT Festival, The Green Room 42 (NYC), Prospect Theater Company, Boston Lyric Opera, Long Beach Opera, The 24 Hour Plays, Prop Thtr, Arizona Theater Company, Long Wharf, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Huntington Theater, Hartford Stage, Alley Theatre, Denver Center, and more. Jesse's musicals have been a finalist twice for the NAMT Musical Theater Conference, a semi-finalist for the O'Neill Music Theater Conference, and a semi-finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival.

Currently, Jesse is working with the band, CHICAGO, on a new musical, commissioned by Arizona Theater Company, in partnership with BMG Music Group. Jesse is also working with collaborator, Alexis Macedo, on new Chicano musical, Lucha(Dora), and collaborator, Joslyn Housley McLaughlin, on new musical, Sarah!

As a music director, he has worked in theaters across the country including Denver Center, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Company, American Conservatory Theater, Theatreworks Silicon Valley, Arizona Theatre Company, The Alley Theatre, Round House Theatre, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, O'Neill Music Theatre Conference, New World Stages, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and many more.
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Early in Jesse’s career, he served as music assistant on the first national tour of Hamilton and the world premiere of The Prince of Egypt (Theatreworks SV). In these and other positions, he has worked with Stephen Schwartz, Alex Lacamoire, Greg Anthony Rassen, Paul Scott Goodman, AnnMarie Milazzo, Michael Starobin, Dominick Ammendum, and countless other Broadway veterans.

Jesse is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild of America and National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures. He is represented by Katie Gamelli and Paladin Artists for writing, composing, and music directing.