2025 Keynote

About Jeffrey Watkins

During his 40 year tenure with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Watkins has directed more than 200 Main Stage productions, including more than 100 by Shakespeare. He has also appeared as an actor in more than 70 productions.

In August of 1995 - as part of the Globe's Workshop Season - he became the first American actor to perform on the stage of Shakespeare's Globe in London, England.

In March of 2011, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company became the first American Shakespeare Company to complete Shakespeare's 39 play canon. The company then embarked on a second pass through the entire canon, completing all 39 plays in just eight years and two months.

Watkins is a leader in the Original Practice movement in America and is a past president of the international Shakespeare Theater Association.

Jeff has never had a real job and has always made his living in the arts.