Biography

Jesse Swanson (he/him) is a producer, arts administrator, and comedian and joined the Collab Steering Committee in 2023. Currently the Festival Producer at the Chicago Humanities Festival, Jesse has also served as a producer for iO Theater, The Second City, and many more. He has led organizations large and small and presented original work across the country and around the world. Originally from the East Coast, Jesse began his career in Philadelphia, where he produced and directed original sketches, stand-up improvisation, and several world-premier comedic plays and musicals.

His independently produced work won acclaim at The Philadelphia and DC Fringe Festivals as well as the CrisisArt Festival in Italy. After deciding to take comedy a little more seriously, he came to Chicago in 2012 and went to work for The Second City where he oversaw talent development and production of new work, partnering with companies like The Kennedy Center, LucasFilm, and Disney. As an artist with a disability, Jesse is an organizer and advocate for access in the arts and passionately pursuing making all art accessible to everyone.