"Pohja has done a brilliant job of fostering a unity among the cast that allows for a great deal of dramatic texture that serves the overall production quite well. "

JOSH POHJA is the Managing Artistic Producer of Wisconsin Classic Stage directing its inaugural production of Henry V and launching the WCS Actors Studio. Josh co-founded Vanguard Productions in 2022 and served as its Artistic Director bringing his distinctive creative vision helming its annual audience favorite All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, Antigone and its critically acclaimed production of My Name is Rachel Corrie. Josh co-produced Milwaukee Chamber Theatre's Young Playwright's Festival in 2022, and has directed innovative, thought-provoking productions throughout the Milwaukee region.

JP is a graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama for Acting during the residency of the Moscow Art Theatre; Anatoly Smeliansky, Andrei Șerban, Natalia Fedorova, as well as Bulgarian director Mladen Kiselov, Ibsen Scholar Brian Johnston, Victoria Santa Cruz, Gregory Lehane, Don Marinelli, and Don Wadsworth. These scholars and teachers shaped his love for re-imagining classical theatre. As a teacher, he has mentored artists locally and nationwide.

As an actor, Pohja has performed nationally with, most notably, The Guthrie Theater, The Acting Company, The Old Globe, Alley Theatre, Judson Church, HERE Arts Center, NYC Fringe Festival and more.

Josh is also a proud alumni of the Wisconsin Directors Lab, Saratoga International Theatre Institute (SITI) under the guidance of Anne Bogart and the SITI Company, and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. He is a 26 year member of Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.