J.D. Sutton is a familiar face to Orlando Shakes’ audiences, having appeared in productions of Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and as the irascible “Oscar Hoffman” in The Luckiest People. He has also appeared in numerous book-in-hand readings for PlayFest, including this year’s The Grand Illusion Show.

As a writer, his solo play as Thomas Jefferson, Twilight at Monticello, was the first script chosen for a PlayLab workshop, and has since been performed off-Broadway, and at venues throughout the “Original 13”, including Philadelphia’s historic Carpenters’ Hall. His Jefferson & Jupiter, about the friendship between Jefferson and one of his slaves, was named Best Drama at 2016’s Orlando Fringe Festival. Bartram’s Travels, about 18th century botanist, explorer and artist William Bartram, has been performed throughout the southeast, and has been featured on PBS’ Florida Frontiers.