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Helen Estabrook
Estabrook's senior photo

Helen Estabrook entered Uni High straight from 6th grade. Over the next five years, she was involved in many aspects of school, noting in an interview that she loved how everyone was encouraged to be curious and open to all things, intellectually and otherwise. Pursuing this curiosity, she was on the soccer team for one year, the volleyball team for two, and the basketball team all five years at Uni. She was part of many Uni productions, including helping put on Big Show and playing the lead role in the play Our Town in her Junior year, and was the president of the Thespian Society at Uni.  Helen Estabrook was also part of the Russian Club, created the Outdoor club, an editor of the yearbook, a Subbie Buddy, and a Peer College Counselor. While she wanted to be an actress in high school, largely because of a lack of knowledge as to the production and development of film and TV, she already knew she had a love for the collaborative nature of making things and telling stories.

Helen Estabrook attended Harvard College at the age of 16, receiving a bachelor’s degree in sociology and graduating in 2003. Since then, she has been a successful American TV/film producer and executive, working as Head of Production and Development at Right of Way Films from 2009 until 2016, and later joined Condé Nast Entertainment in 2021 as Head of Global Film & Television. Estabrook started her work in television with the Golden Globe-nominated series Casual, and has produced a number of acclaimed films such as the Academy Award nominated film Whiplash (2014).

Sources:

Interview with Helen Estabrook

Helen Estabrook Joins Condé Nast Entertainment As Head Of Development & Production For Features & Scripted Series

Senior Quote

“The stage provides its own rationale; you’ll have to look inside yourself for answers, if answers are what you’re after.” - Director’s note from (If Only…)

Uni Extracurriculars

Yearbook, Outdoor Club, Art Club, Subbie Buddies, Lounge Committee, Thespian Society, Russian Club, PCC, Big Show, various Uni plays

Notable Works

  • Up in the Air (2009)

  • Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011)

  • Young Adult (2011)

  • Whiplash (2014)

  • Casual (2015)

  • Demolition (2015)

  • The Front Runner (2018)

  • Tully (2018)

  • Mrs. Fletcher (2019)