Jesse Bernstein
Founding Member, Producer
A graduate of Northwestern University, Jesse Bernstein was nine-years-old when he acted in his first professional production, Christopher Durang's Sister Mary Ignatious Explains it all For You, starring long-time John Waters collaborator, Mink Stole, at the prestigious Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia. He followed that with several shows at Joe Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival, appearing on stage with such stars as Denzel Washington, Christopher Reeve, Alfre Woodard, Mandy Patimkin and others. Since then, Jesse has continued to appear on stage both in New York and in regional theatre, including the Berkshire Theatre Festival, the Arden Theatre Company, InterAct Theatre, the Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, and the Rubicon Theatre.
In 1999, Jesse originated the role of Reuven in the adaptation of Chaim Potok's beloved novel, The Chosen. Over the 2002 – 2005 theatre seasons, he had the honor to be one of the few actors in the country to play the role of Eugene Morris Jerome in all three of Neil Simon's acclaimed trilogy of Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and Broadway Bound. All three performances were met with stellar reviews and sold out houses at the Broadway-size Walnut Street Theatre, the oldest, continually operating theatre in the United States. The Philadelphia Inquirer listed Jesse's performance as Eugene among the top five of the 2002 season. In 2005, Jesse moved to Los Angeles, where he began acting in television (including Veronica Mars, Days of Our Lives, Law & Order).
As a writer, Jesse won awards for his first two plays, Brother's Keeper and The Eighth Day, the latter of which was produced at both the Montgomery Theatre Company and at Northwestern University. In 2001, he received a fellowship from the Independence Foundation of Philadelphia to develop and stage a reading of his play, Healing Electra. Jesse's work was highlighted in the Philadelphia Weekly. In 2003, Amaryllis Theatre Company commissioned Jesse to write Mainstreamed, a play about a deaf girl being integrated into public school. Following on the success of that play, Amaryllis commissioned two more plays, Friends of Shadows and Bully For You, both of which toured Philadelphia high schools.
In addition to his time writing and acting, Jesse continually worked behind the scenes as a director and producer and as board member for Northwestern University's WAVE Productions.
The idea to form Wildstar Pictures was one he and his brother Josh had shared for many, many years. Their dream was to tell the stories they wanted to see told in a meaningful way as well as help other artists who were in the early stages of their careers.
Joshua Bernstein
Founding Member, Producer
Dr. Bernstein serves as Sector Director, Continuous Improvement, for Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector headquartered in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Bernstein is responsible for improving ES people and process capability, including standardizing continuous improvement strategies and methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, DFSS, etc), establishing training programs, and leading multiple, high-leverage continuous improvement projects across the company.
Dr. Bernstein has held multiple positions in engineering and manufacturing over his career with Northrop Grumman. Prior to joining the Mission Assurance organization, Dr. Bernstein held several positions of increasing responsibility in the former Systems Development & Technology Division, first as a program manager, then leading numerous proposal/capture efforts while managing a variety of internal research and development programs. His last assignment in the Division was as the Director of Core Technologies.
Dr. Bernstein received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University. He earned master's degrees in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering and Technology Policy from MIT, as well his doctorate in Technology, Management, & Policy, also from MIT. All of this training combines to give him a unique business and leadership perspective that will help make Wildstar Pictures stand out from other companies in the marketplace.
Dr. Bernstein is married to Ritu Prasad, MD, and they have one child, Ethan. They reside in Woodstock, MD.