WHO WE ARE
Boldly redefining theatre for the San Francisco Bay Area.
Our Legacy
We began as a nomadic theatre company in San Francisco, run by Jennifer and Enrico Banson, Sr., as a vehicle for fascinating shows that other companies didn't dare produce. Following an unofficial motto of “if we build it, our audiences will come”, The Royal Underground mounted ten productions in ten California venues over the course of 23 years, including two San Francisco Bay Area regional premiere productions (RENT and Glory Days, both in 2010).
Since The Royal Underground Theatre Company's founding in 2002, we have been committed to hiring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team of talented creatives onstage and behind the scenes. It's one of the reasons why our founders wanted to start The Royal Underground in the first place — to create opportunities for creatives who don't always get to see their stories and experiences reflected onstage.
Today, The Royal Underground is led by the next generation of the Banson family: Artistic Director Enrico Banson, Jr. and Managing Director Jerianne Banson. Together, they are continuing the legacy of Jennifer and Enrico Sr. while reimagining the company for a new era. Their combined backgrounds in film, theatre, casting, music, hospitality, and community engagement give the company a practical, interdisciplinary approach to producing contemporary regional theatre.
Artistic Leadership
Enrico Banson
Artistic Director [he/him]A filmmaker and actor who's written/directed two full-length indie films, The After and Some Night, which played/opened various film festivals including the LA Int'l Film Festival. Stage direction credits include Seminar (Royal Underground), Freud's Last Session (Royal Underground), People vs Mona at Masquers Playhouse (11 BATCC Nominations including Best Director), and Amélie (Masquers Playhouse). Favorite stage acting credits: Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden in Next to Normal (Royal Underground), Stephen in Farragut North (Masquers Playhouse), Serge in Art (Royal Underground), Roger in RENT (San Francisco Regional Premiere/Hollywood Hudson Theatre), and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing (Golden Eagle Award Winner, National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center NYC). Proud SAG and WGAW member. Love to family, friends, and wife Maria! enricobanson.com
Jerianne Banson
Managing Director [she/her]Jerianne Banson, WGA is a producer, director, WGA screenwriter, creative artist, musician, songwriter, photographer, and media storyteller. A creative force behind Royal Underground Theatre, she brings the eye of an artist and the discipline of a producer, shaping bold, emotionally resonant work with vision, rigor, taste, and heart. She is also the founder of The Perpetualist, a lifestyle and storytelling brand rooted in faith, culture, healing, travel, music, style, and reinvention. JerianneBanson.com | Perpetualist.com
Board of Directors / Administration
Information Coming Soon