Jess J. Jandera

Jess J. Jandera hails from the concrete jungle of Vancouver, the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. In forests and islands outside the city, he found the joy of play; people around him shared a passion for creation; and around campfires, he fell for the enchantment of a story and the tidal power of sharing one’s perspective.

Jess’s passion for collaboration extends to his commitment to diversity and inclusion. He actively seeks to work with individuals across diverse neurological backgrounds, including autism and ADHD, within the theatre community. He aims to explore different ways to bring a performance to the stage, creating a more diverse process that works with everyone’s strengths and needs in creating art.

Jess graduated from NTS in 2025 and, before that, received a diploma in Production and Design from Studio 58 in Vancouver in 2021.

During his time at NTS, he designed costumes, hair, and makeup for The Government Inspector, directed by Krista Jackson, and the sets for the new word plays Salvage the Wrecked and Verdigris, directed by Jonathan Seinen and Dean Fleming, respectively.

As he continues to fill his toolbox, he strives to build a future where people have a platform for their voices to be heard and cared for—creativity, collaboration, and care.