Shakespeare Repertory in the Santa Cruz Redwoods
Under the direction of the singular Paul Mullins, Grayson played Jack Worthing amidst a hilarious ensemble cast.
"Expert direction and crisp performances make this a production a complete delight. DeJesus and Block as the two young gentlemen are utterly convincing. So comfortable are they with the set, the words and the motivations that we believe completely in their friendship."
-Good Times Magezine
"Grayson DeJesus matches his manic energy with a smoldering intensity that could charm the socks off a bobcat. His dry and self-contained delivery is a joy to witness as it builds into a state of exasperation with the complications of the unfolding plot." -Santa Cruz Sentinel
In Summer of 2024, Grayson came back to where it all began for him and joined the beautiful Repertory Company of Santa Cruz Shakespeare.
The Improtance of Being Earnest
Hamlet
In a stunningly designed production of Hamlet, directed by Susan Dalian, Grayson delved into a new exploration of brotherly love and anguished revenge as Laertes.
"In a word: riveting. The Santa Cruz Shakespeare production of Hamlet is everything one could hope it would be...Grayson DeJesus plays Laertes with intelligence and ease."
-Good Times Magezine
Play That Goes Wrong at Northern Stage
In Spring of 2024, Grayson returned to Northern Stage to play Chris Bean, the dry, erratic director, and the hard-boiled Inspector Carter in the wildly entertaining show Play That Goes Wrong directed by Peter Hackett.
"The cast members, to a one, proved not only fine actors, but had the timing and physical skill of expert clowns...The play, in addition to being an amazing theatrical accomplishment, is more fun than it has any right to be."
-Rutland Herald
McCarter Theatre's Christmas Carol
Returning to the diverse and gripping Lauren Keating adaptation of Dicken's A Christmas Carol at the McCarter Theatre, Grayson revived his portrayal of the tormented and terrifying Jacob Marley.
This time, playing opposite celebrated film and television actor Joel McKinnon Miller of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Truman Show.
Hamlet at Guthrie Theater
April 8th-May 21st, 2023
"Tremendously entertaining, scary, touching, thought provoking, and ultimately thrilling" -Pioneer Press
"Grayson DeJesus makes a terrific impression as Laertes, whose open emotions, confidence and readiness to act stand in contrast to Hamlet's more studied approach" -Talkin Broadway
"Grayson DeJesus plays a remarkable Laertes, both the foil for Hamlet and, in many ways, his own reflection. DeJesus captures the single-minded obsession of Laertes and makes the audience sympathize with his mission for revenge" -Minnesota Spokesman Recorder
Law & Order Debut
In January, 2023, it was a great honor for Grayson to have a debut on NBC's legendary crime show Law & Order. In the episode "Land of Opportunity", Grayson played an earnest journalist working a story on the plight of immigrants, when he learns his main source for the article has been murdered.
Grayson was especially thrilled to work with celebrated actor Timothy Busfield who directed the episode.
Jacob Marley at McCarter Theatre
In a poignant and dynamic new adaption of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Grayson had the honor of playing the tormented and terrifying ghost of Jacob Marley which critics described as 'laser sharp' and 'truly frightening'.
At the McCarter Theatre, Director Lauren Keating's exuberant production was led by the great Dee Pelletier as Scrooge and supported by a brilliant and diverse ensemble.
#JaneEyreWeGoAgain
It was a delight and a privilege for Grayson to return to Elizabeth Williamson's spooky and beautiful adaptation of the Gothic classic Jane Eyre.
It was Williamson's debut production as Artistic Director of Geva Theatre and the first production of the 50th Anniversary season. The ensemble of ten actors played 21 characters from the beloved story.
World Premiere of The Messenger by Jeff Talbott
Jeff Talbott's scalding political drama is a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Enemy of The People.
Grayson starred in the World Premiere of this timely and thought provoking new work in January 2022 at
Pioneer Theater alongside a cast of Theater Icons like Ora Jones, Mark H. Dold, Barzin Akhavan and more. Directed by Wes Grantom.
Live Theater: Back with a Bang...
In the summer of 2021, Grayson thrillingly leapt back into the rehearsal room to do the rollicking comedy Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged at Northern Stage in Vermont. Led by fearless Artistic Director Carol Dunne, the show was the first of a gorgeous new outdoor theater space designed by Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Michael Ganio.
In a three person cast with Jenni Putney & Eric Love, the sometimes improvised and often outrageous show involved trying to portray Shakespeare's 37 plays in a 90 minute run time. Reviewers proclaimed of the cast, "Their antics had the precision and depth of chamber music; simply expert comedy."
When Life Throws You a Pandemic, Make an Interactive Murder Comedy on Zoom...
Nearing the end of the lockdown year, in the Spring of 2021, Grayson performed as Detective Inspector Joe Chandler in Northern Stage's production of Mud Season Mystery: The Lodger. From the brilliant and twisted mind of playwright Brenda Withers and directed by Jess Chayes, this Hitchcock mystery set in 1920s London, sported wit, camp, improv, a musical number, audience participation, comedy and genuine spooky thrills.
From Jane Austin to Jane Eyre
In the November of 2019, Grayson returned to The Repertory Theater of St. Louis to star as Charles Bingley in new artistic director Hana Shariff's hilarious and dynamic production of Pride and Prejudice. The play was Shariff's first in St. Louis and grossed more ticket sales than any production in the theater's history...
Immediately following, at the beginning of 2020, Grayson starred in a new adaptation of the classic gothic tale Jane Eyre. Written and directed by Elizabeth Williamson at Hartford Stage, the new version was made up by ten actors playing every role in the story...
Glass Menagerie at The Guthrie
In the Fall of 2019, Grayson made his debut at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis as the Gentleman Caller in the American classic Glass Menagerie.
Under the incomparable and intelligent leadership of director Joseph Haj, the production was celebrated for it's humor and warmth and critics called it:
"Pure theater magic... Filled with sentiment, regret and an enduring hope that burns like the candelabra that flickers at the center of the stage."
-Star Tribune
Native Gardens at Cleveland Playhouse
In the Spring of 2019, Grayson had the thrill and the honor of working with director Robert Barry Fleming on the tender, political comedy Native Gardens by Karen Zacarias.
In the care of the beautiful design team and community of Cleveland Playhouse, critics called it 'bright, witty and clever' and 'a smart and purposefully paced piece of theater with a warm center and appealing tenacity.'
Television...
A hipster tool in the back of an Uber, a convicted killer steadfast in his innocence, and a shady doctor for the mob, Grayson can be seen in Guest Starring and Co Starring roles in HBO's High Maintenance, ABC's Conviction, and Amazon's Sneaky Pete.
Kate Can't Swim
"Flawless in it's execution of portraying real relationships with believably nuanced characters, authentic on-screen chemistry, and an engaging story that thrives on what isn't said, we're proud and honored to bestow the Jury's Honorable Mention Award to the outstanding Kate Can't Swim."
-Slamdance Film Festival Grand Jury
Premiering at Slamdance and touring through 7 US film festivals, Kate Can't Swim is now available to view on Amazon Prime.
Zoey's Perfect Wedding
Grayson starred in the world premiere of Matthew Lopez' raucous, kinetic, witty play Zoey's Perfect Wedding at the Denver Center of Performing arts.
Directed by Mike Donahue, critics called it 'wildly funny', and 'exceptionally entertaining' leaving audiences 'giggling with glee and horror.'