From the Big Apple to Little Island, Ciera Miller Makes her Mark
What does a screen printing factory, skateboard shop, plant store, bookstore, photography studio and a church have in common? These venues represent locations where Jessup alumna Ciera Miller presented live theatre shows with “In Confidence LLC,” a theatre company she co-founded in 2022. Ever since Miller graduated with a theatre arts degree from Jessup, she’s been hard at work establishing her niche in New York City.
Serving as the producing artistic director of In Confidence LLC, Miller is part of a four-person collaborative team striving to bring live performances and social storytelling to unlikely places in New York City at a low cost. “Our tickets are always under $25, because we’re trying to bring non-theatre people and young adults back to the arts,” Miller said. Not a bad idea when 40 is the average age of a theatre goer and most Broadway or off-Broadway shows charge $100 a ticket. Attending theatre performances is especially difficult for a young person on a tight budget.
Miller also works as line producer for two theatre locations at Little Island, a unique venue located at Pier 55 in Hudson River Park, the same pier where rescued Titanic survivors were delivered from their plight. Miller works in the Glade space, Little Island’s 200-seat outdoor theatre, where she brings outstanding free performances to life, Wednesday through Sunday. She’s also producing shows for Little Island’s 687-seat amphitheater for this season and working on a show for 2025.
While she attended Jessup, Miller started Curious Theatre Works, producing three full works in the Sacramento area. Since then, she has transitioned into writing as part of a pair with Jessup classmate, Emma Harlow, under the name “Miller and Harlow”. Earlier this year, the duo were finalists and named honorable mention for the Johnathan Larson Grant by the American Theatre Wing, receiving a small grant to support their work. The pair were also accepted into the 2024 Edinburgh International Festival that presents some of the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre for three weeks in August – making Scotland’s capital an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and annual meeting point for people of all nations.
Reflecting back on the training she received while pursuing her bachelor’s at Jessup, Miller said, “I’m grateful for each time I wore a different hat because I think it made me the theatre maker I am today.”
At Jessup, Miller gained experience as an assistant stage manager, production stage manager, assistant director, director, performer, co-producer, admin, set painter and builder, house manager, usher, pre-show worker, sound designer, even working on a lift setting up lights.
The relationships Miller built with professors also continues to impact her career. “Program Advisor and Associate Professor Jennifer Jackson was integral in providing support and advice in the second production I did with my company,” Miller said. “Post graduation, I’m so grateful that Jen continues to speak into my personal and professional life. We have catch ups about our latest theatrical endeavors and talk about the way our lives impact the work we create. Our lasting relationship speaks to Jessup Theatre’s culture that cares about people. I carry that into my work at Little Island, In Confidence and beyond.”
To learn more about her upcoming projects visit: cieramiller.com
