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.


LIVE! In the Bay Interview - The Day the Sky Turned Orange (2025)


press & coverage