Jesse J. Sanchez

JESSE J. SANCHEZ is a composer-lyricist, writer, and music director. He is a 2024 James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation Spark Artist Award winner, a two-time recipient of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s Frank Young Grant, a recipient of the Milagro Latino Artist Fund Grant, and a finalist for the Opera America Digital Excellence in Opera Award. Jesse currently serves as the Associate Producer (Music) at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Current works: SUEÑOS: Our American Musical (2024 Musical Theatre West New Works Festival Winner, 2024 Orchard Project, 2023 Johnny Mercer Writers Grove @ Goodspeed Musicals, 2022 Barn on Fire Festival of New Musicals, 2018 Oregon Shakespeare Festival Black Swan Lab, New York Theatre Barn Core Programs, two-time NAMT finalist, O’Neill semifinalist, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor finalist, Live & In Color finalist); Zapata: A Superhero Folklorico Musical (2024 Zach Theatre/BIPOC Superhero Project Commission, 2025-2026 World Premiere at Zach Theatre, 2024 Austin Latinx New Play Festival, 2024 NAMT Songwriters Showcase, 2024 Orchard Project, 2024 Milagro Latino Artist Fund Grant.); We Three Queens (2024 Oregon Cabaret Commission, book by Valerie Rachelle); Untitled Opera (2024 Portland Opera Commission, libretto by Maya Malan-Gonzalez); and Sarah! (book by Joslyn Housley McLaughlin).

Jesse is an alumnus of programs and festivals such as Musical Theatre West New Works Festival, The Orchard Project, The Johnny Mercer Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals, Austin Latinx New Play Festival, Prospect Theatre’s Musical Theatre Lab, OSF Black Swan Lab, and New York Theatre Barn’s Core Programs, including the Barn On Fire Festival of New Musicals (mentored by Jerry Mitchell).

Past works: Exhaustion Arroyo: Dancin’ Trees in the Ravine (original score; 2022 World Premiere at Cutting Ball Theater, book by W. Fran Astorga); desert in (co-librettist; 2020 Boston Lyric Opera Commission, 2021 World Premiere Co-Production at Boston Lyric Opera and Long Beach Opera, Opera America Grant, 2022 Opera America Digital Excellence in Opera Award Finalist); Spotlight on Trio (book; 2023 World Premiere at Camelot Theatre Company, 2023 Camelot Theatre Company Commission); Black Friday! (book, music, lyrics; 2022 Prospect Theatre Company’s Musical Theater Lab); Clopening (book; Prop Thtr Small Hours Festival); The Fezziwig Promise (music and lyrics; The 24 Hour Plays, book by Sean Daniels).

Jesse’s work has been showcased at major regional theaters, off-Broadway, opera houses, and other prestigious venues, including Playbill, The Green Room 42 in NYC (sold-out concert), Broadway League’s The Jimmy Awards (2023 & 2024), the Broadway Housing Committee Gala hosted by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show, and First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York. His music is available on all major streaming platforms, with features on Sirius XM Broadway, Playbill, and Musical Theatre Radio.

As a music director, Jesse has worked with esteemed theaters and organizations nationwide, including The Old Globe, Je’Caryous Entertainment, South Coast Repertory, Seattle Rep, Portland Center Stage, Denver Center, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Company, American Conservatory Theater, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Arizona Theatre Company, Alley Theatre, Round House Theatre, O’Neill Music Theatre Conference, New World Stages, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and more.

Early in his career, Jesse served as a music assistant on the first national tour of Hamilton and the world premiere of The Prince of Egypt (TheatreWorks SV), collaborating with luminaries such as Stephen Schwartz, Alex Lacamoire, Greg Anthony Rassen, Paul Scott Goodman, AnnMarie Milazzo, Michael Starobin, and Dominick Ammendum.

Jesse has served on selection panels for the Oregon Arts Commission, Opera America, and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival. He has also served as mentor and selection committee for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Songwriting Challenge, in partnership with National Alliance for Musical Theatre and in collaboration with Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA SONGS Foundation. Jesse is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild of America, BMI, MUSE (Musicians United for Social Equity), and the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures. He is represented by Katie Gamelli and Paladin Artists.