Director Avital Shira's work focuses on building and empowering communities through sharing stories.

Avital (she/hers) is particularly drawn to language-rich, ensemble-driven work that encourages us to embrace the cultural traditions that preceded us, while crafting art that speaks to the here and now.

Avital graduated from the MFA Directing and Arts Administration certificate programs at Boston University in 2020, where she was also a Spark Grant award winner.

At Boston University, Avital taught undergraduate courses in Public Speaking and Acting, and served as a teaching assistant for two theatre history courses. Training included study of dramaturgy, film directing, movement direction, new play development, and design. Directing credits at BU included PHOTOGRAPH 51 by Anna Ziegler, EVERYTHING THAT NEVER HAPPENED by Sarah Mantell, Lerner and Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY, CYMBELINE by William Shakespeare, and INTIMATE APPAREL by Lynn Nottage.

Professional directing credits include MERCHANT OF VENICE, in a PlayOn Shakespeare translation by Elise Thorn (Portland Shakespeare Project), WINTER PEOPLE by Laura Neill (Boston Playwrights Theatre), LIFEBOAT by Nicola McCartney (Corrib Theatre), BETWEEN FRIENDS by Danielle Frimer (Sycamore Theatre Co @ The Brick), and LOVE'S LABOURS LOST (Post 5). Avital also has a strong interest in developing new work, and has recently been involved in workshopping new plays by playwrights including Sarah Mantell, E.M. Lewis, Danielle Frimer, and Ash.

Avital is passionate about working at the intersection of community, story, and social impact. She currently is a strategist for Georgia Tech Arts, overseeing campus and industry engagement strategies for the arts and building a new degree at the intersection of arts, innovation, and emerging technologies. Previously, she has served as the Director of Strategy and Engagement for Creative Re/Frame; the Strategic Director for IDEA Con, the largest student innovation and entrepreneurship conference in New England; oversaw the MIT Arts Startup Incubator; and led community engagement strategy for the state of Colorado for the Markle Foundation’s Skillful Initiative. She has taught on the faculty at Tufts University, and is now a lecturer in the School of Literature, Media, and Communications at Georgia Tech.

Avital holds a degree in Theatre Studies and English literature from Yale University, where she was awarded both the Branford Arts Prize and the James S. Metcalfe Prize for drama.

Avital is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab.  She was named Best Director at the 2012 Portland Outdoor Shakespeare Festival for her production of Twelfth Night.