Brittany Giles-Jones | Staff Portrait

Assistant Managing Director, Drama Division

Nearly 30 members of Juilliard’s current staff got their start here as part of the school’s long-running internship program, now known as the Professional Apprentice Program. One of them is Brittany Giles-Jones, who joined the staff in 2016 and is now the assistant managing director of the Drama Division.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Trumbull, Connecticut, but I went to Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, so I consider that home. I studied communications there and finished my degree at Boston University, where I obtained a bachelor of liberal studies degree.

How did you end up working at Juilliard?
My introduction to Juilliard was through the Stage Management Internship. After my year here, I spent a year and a half as an Equity stage manager for various theaters and production companies around the country before the events and projects coordinator position was created in Drama. The opportunity to combine the skills I learned as a stage manager and talent agent and work in arts education was ultimately the deciding factor that brought me back to Juilliard.

What do you remember about your first day?
My first day of the internship was my first time on campus since I’d toured during my interview process. Because I was so nervous, I showed up an hour early and paced in front of the building for 30 minutes before getting up the nerve to go inside.

What has surprised you about working here?
The warmth of the community. Looking back, had I known what a welcoming place Juilliard is, I would have known I had no reason to be nervous that first day.

What is the most memorable job you’ve had?
Working at a Foot Locker in an outlet mall over the holiday season when I was in college. It was memorable because I was the shortest employee and generally the one who was asked to get product from the back, which required me to climb a large ladder multiple times a day. Every time it reminded me of Belle in Beauty and the Beast looking through her books.

If out of the blue your boss said to take the day off, what would you do?
Probably spend the day in Connecticut visiting my grandparents. They’ve been extremely important in my life and continue to support me in everything I do. I’m blessed to still have them, plus my grandfather is hilarious and always down to take a selfie!

What other pursuits are you passionate about?
Community service. Most people don’t know I completed over 1,200 hours of community service before leaving high school, and I’m an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, which is rooted in the belief of service to all mankind. Many of my weekends are spent supporting the organization’s programs which, to name a few, include breast cancer awareness and prevention, support for caregivers, support for historically black colleges and universities, financial literacy and planning, and disaster relief assistance.

If you could choose any meal, prepared by anyone, what would it be?
Crab legs, a loaded baked potato, and lobster risotto by chef Gordon Ramsay. I am secretly obsessed with Hell’s Kitchen and watch it almost every day. I am in the midst of binge-watching all of the seasons from 10 to 18 (currently on 14!). I’d love to have anything prepared by him, and the lobster risotto has been a staple for all of the seasons so I would love to try it!

What might people be surprised to know about you?
Even though I hate working out (as some of my co-workers know) and always escape invitations to Darryl’s class, I really enjoy outdoor sports. I’ve skied for more than 20 years—I love it—and I also love to snorkel. (That’s also ironic because most people know I don’t like the beach much or being in the sun.)

What are you reading/listening to/watching/following?
I watch a lot of sitcoms, probably too many to name. My dad recently pointed out that I am always binge-watching something—currently it’s Hell’s Kitchen. My go-to author right now is Beverly Jenkins, but I’m taking a little break to read Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach.