Jessup has been performing, teaching, directing, and choreographing since 1977. As an independent producer, director and choreographer, Richard has most recently worked on South Pacific (Seattle area), and has co-produced and directed a full-length Nutcracker Ballet (Grants Pass). He is participating both as a co-producer and as a concert choreographer for the upcoming Men In Dance Festival in Seattle, a festival he founded in 1995. Richard has produced and directed Swing (Britt music Festival and Craterian Performances, Medford), The World Goes ‘Round (Craterian Performances, Medford), and the Nutcracker Ballet (Grants Pass). As Artistic Director of Rogue Music Theatre in Grants Pass, Richard produced, directed and choreographed such productions as Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sound of Music, The King & I, and My Fair Lady. He has also worked at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland; and has choreographed productions for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. Richard now lives in Seattle.