is a seasoned director and producer with decades of experience in story development across multiple platforms. She has worked globally in countries including Denmark, England, Spain, Kenya, Peru, Ecuador and the US. Currently, she serves as Director of Community Engagement at Syracuse Stage and Executive Director of Distinctive Voices, specializing in narrative consulting and performance coaching. She is the CEO of Live Animation Studios, producing bilingual film and animation content. Joann’s career began with Double Edge Theatre in Boston, followed by training at Odin Teatret in Denmark. With Vernice Miller she co-founded A Laboratory for Actor Training in NYC, worked with East Coast Artists, and assisted directing legend Hal Prince on seven Broadway productions. As Artistic Director of Teatro Prometeo for 12 years, she directed and produced over 80 productions in Spanish and created groundbreaking multilingual works for theatre, television, film, animation and gaming platforms.  She collaborates internationally on animation and live-action projects and consults for ADA Animation in Kenya, Tres Monstruos Productions in Spain and MyGosh Studios in Switzerland.  She is an Associate Producer for Directors Lab West, Latinx Theatre Commons and member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Joann’s work is featured in major publications and books, and she is recognized for her contributions in community building, celebrating new voices, and championing the next great story.