julius ernesto rea
julius is a facilitator, playwright, events producer, personal cook, grant writer, journalist, designer, poet, and… the list goes on. learn more by exploring below
bio
Based in the SF Bay Area, Julius Ernesto Rea uses playwriting, conflict resolution and arts producing to hold an empathetic mirror to the world—encouraging deep listening and deeper discourse. With a background as a journalist, he obtained a degree in Philosophy at San Francisco State University. He co-founded The Forum Collective, a multidisciplinary arts organization that focuses on new journalism, theater and community-focused events. Currently fiscally-sponsored under Playground SF’s Innovator Incubator, the company has received support from the Sam Mazza Foundation, the California Arts Council, and Zellerbach Family Foundation. As a playwright, Rea has participated in Crowded Fire Theatre’s Resilience and Development Lab, and is now part of the 2026-27 Playwrights Foundation Resident Playwrights Program. In 2025, he premiered The Day the Sky Turned Orange, as the playwright / book writer, produced by SFBATCO and Z Space. He is a previous recipient of a Theatre Bay Area (TBA) Arts Leadership Residency and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Creative Corps Initiative Grant.
playwriting
After working in journalism & film, I found that theatre and live performance was a perfect vessel to gather individuals for philosophic discourse, community engagement, and emotional investigation. Now, I work to create a diverse catalog of work highlighting BIPOC voices and exploring the surprising truth of human nature.
Take a peek at some of full-length works.
“sarafael” rehearsal (2019) | Photo by Jesse Sutterley
the forum collective
I co-founded The Forum Collective to produce work exploring political moments and universal human experiences. While analyzing work through this lens, we create projects blending live performance, gallery curation, and journalistic reporting. The end result is a multi-layered exploration of sociopolitics. Focused on shared governance, The Forum Collective is composed of multidisciplinary producers and curators. Its members analyze a central piece of work in relation to a political, social, or historic trend while deciding on actions as a group.
Check out a glimpse of some of our projects and collaborative works.
“Peter Pan” at The Presidio (2025) | Photo by Terry Lorant
video samples & short films
Working in film and digital media,
explore a digital archive of some my favorite pieces.
Interview with TNT Traysikel - Substrate (2023)
interviews & articles
With a background in journalism,
I continue to write articles, hold panels, and host live interviews.
“a mirror, a threshold, a song” (2020)
consultation & contracting
In addition to artistic production & writing,
I provide services as a consultant in a variety of fields.
I’m dedicated to helping your dreams come true.
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As an intuitive and systematic thinker, I use my experiences in communications, copywriting and grant writing to distill your ideas for grants, proposals and campaigns.
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With a background in journalism, I host several live interviews on different subjects and topics. Let’s work on creating an engaging and unique panel or discussion elevating your next event.
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With a career influenced by restorative transformative justice, I can assist your team with building community agreements and company standards—using tenants of non-legal conflict resolution.
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I work with writers for film, theatre, and performing arts providing feedback or guidance—with a special interest on developing new work.
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Interested in flexible and fun recipes, or just need a little extra help in the kitchen? With some experience as a private chef, I will help you eat your best!
I specialize in meal planning and group dinners. I can also provide healthy / vegetarian / vegan options or work with dietary restrictions or immunocompromised folks.
LIVE! In the Bay Interview - The Day the Sky Turned Orange (2025)
press & coverage
A New Musical Revisits the Bay Area’s Apocalyptic Orange Sky Day
(KQED)
Theater Review: The Day the Sky Turned Orange - Hope in the Glow of Disaster
(Stage and Cinema)
Musical about ‘Orange Skies Day’ is a loving critique of SF
(SF Weekly)
KRON Live! in the Bay Interview
(KRON4)
ABC7 News Interview
(ABC7)
The Yay | Ep: 227 & Ep: 319
(The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast)
Playing with Disruption at PlayGround’s Innovators Showcase
(KQED)
Platforms | Ep: 1
(Platforms)
Students spark discussion on structural violence in self-built art exhibit
(Golden Gate Express)