Jesse Ayala writes musicals about outsiders who rewrite the rules of their era.
Book and lyrics for MARLISE!, MADAME X and JUNE MOON. Developed at the BMI Lehman Engel Workshop, Berklee NYC and NYPL Lincoln Center, and seen Off-Broadway at The Players Theatre.
RECENTLY OFF-BROADWAY
MARLISE! at The Players Theatre · August 13 – September 6, 2026 · Directed by Joe Barros
BMI Lehman Engel Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop · Berklee NYC, M.A. Musical Theatre Writing · Off-Broadway, The Players Theatre 2026 · Broadway investor, The Wiz · Film premieres at Tribeca, Cannes & SXSW
Now
AUG–SEP 2026 MARLISE! runs Off-Broadway at The Players Theatre, directed by Joe Barros.
2026 SALT & PEPPER premieres at the Jerry Orbach Theater in Make It Happen Fest, directed by Andres Larrea.
2026 MADAME X is featured in NAAP’s Discover New Musicals AEA Showcase, directed by Nina Lam.
2026 MARLISE! is named a New Musical Project finalist.
2026 JUNE MOON and TWIN OR LOSE play TADA Theater’s Spark Festival.
2025 Jesse becomes Managing Editor of Theater Life and a juror for the Arsht Center’s Susan J. Westfall Short Play Competition.
With Recognition From
Projects
