Caroline Cearley | Theatre Director
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CAROLINE CEARLEY
Caroline Cearley (she/her) is a theatre director from Cary, North Carolina now based in Austin, Texas. Her passion for theatre began at a young age, first as an actor and later as a director. Caroline's fresh and unique perspective led the plays she directed in the high school state festivals to win numerous awards and recognition for student direction. She holds a BFA in Theatre Directing from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she directed productions including Dangerous Corner by J.B. Priestley, Agatha Christie’s The Rats, and her own adaptations of the horror short stories The Yellow Wallpaper and If Damon Comes. Most recently, she worked with Jarrott Productions as assistant director for Dial M for Murder and is directing their upcoming production of Mirror Lake by Steven Dietz.
Caroline’s work is driven by a deep curiosity about moral ambiguity, personal responsibility, and the conflict between free will and fate. She is especially drawn to atmospheric plays, with stories rooted in psychological tension and emotional complexity. Her work invites audiences to move through unease and uncertainty toward clarity, catharsis, and courage.
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Whether reviving classic works or shaping new ones, Caroline uses theatre as a space for reckoning, transformation, and reflection on the choices we make.
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"Whether by leaning in for the next joke in a comedy or building anticipation for the big reveal in a thriller, her unique style forces the audience to the edge of their seats. No matter the genre, she approaches each project with a dedication to bringing out the best in her cast and crew to create a captivating and challenging experience for the audience."
PRODUCTIONS
UPCOMING
MIRROR LAKE
by Steven Dietz
Jarrot Productions
Jarrott Productions is excited to present the Southwest Regional Premiere of Mirror Lake from one of the most-produced playwrights in the country, Steven John Dietz.
Mirror Lake is an intimate and dark look at one couple’s inner-most secrets and fears, the demons in their past, and their decidedly different love language.
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Directed by Austin newcomer Caroline Cearley, the cast features two dynamic performers making their Jarrott Productions stage debuts. Juliet Robb joins us fresh off her acclaimed performance in Hyde Park Theatre's Betrayal while Bryan Bradford jumps on stage after directing JP's Prodigal Son and Seminar.
THEATRE DIRECTING
DANGEROUS CORNER
by J.B. Priestley
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
MATT AND BEN
by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
IF DAMON COMES
by Charles L. Grant
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
THE RATS
by Agatha Christie
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
THE YELLOW WALLPAPER
by Charlotte Gilman
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
RAILING IT UPTOWN
by Shirley Lauro
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
THE MOON PLEASE
by Diana Son
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
FAUST
by Goethe
The North Carolina
Theater Competition
A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND
by Flannery O’Connor
Cary Christian School
ASSISTANT THEATRE DIRECTING
DIAL M FOR MURDER
dir. David Jarrott
Jarrott Productions
WHAT IF IF / ONLY AIR
dir. Ana Radulescu
Burning Coal Theatre
ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL
dir. by Andy Paris and Sara Becker
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
THE WOLVES
dir. by Sarah Hankins
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET
dir. by Carl Forsman
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
SWEAT
dir. by Quin Gordan
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
TOP GIRLS
dir. by Abigail Holland
University of North Carolina
School of the Arts
OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET
dir. by Susannah Hough
Honest Pint
THE HERD
dir. by David Henderson
Honest Pint
