Artist Bio

(Bio as of October 2021)

Audrey Francis (Director) is an actor, director, teaching artist and ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre where she currently serves as Co-Artistic Director. In 2009, Francis co-founded the Black Box Acting which started with 12 students and within three years, served more than 1,000 Chicago artists. She created the original curriculum, The Black Box Method, which is based on and inspired by the Meisner and Viewpoints techniques. Her recent acting credits include nearly a dozen shows at Steppenwolf Theatre, many acclaimed independent films and web/miniseries. Her recent directing credits include Plano (First Floor Theatre, debuting in Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater) and the audio play of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Steppenwolf Theatre). Francis also works as a professional acting coach for Showtime, NBC, Fox and Amazon. She has taught at The University of Chicago, DePaul Theatre School, Black Box Acting and The School at Steppenwolf, as well as workshops in Los Angeles, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne.