professional summary
Master acting teacher with more than 25 years of experience. Expertise in ensemble building and teaching various acting methods in many disciplines. Proven leadership experience. A working professional actor, director and producer who brings first-hand experience to his students.
skills
Curriculum Development Program Leadership Ensemble Building
Proficient in Styles Improvisation On Camera
Directing Teacher Training Commercial Technique
work history
teacher
2017 - present
Adjunct Professor,USC School of Dramatic Arts
Intermediate Acting - 20th Century Realism (The Great Depression - WWII)
On Camera Technique, Intro to Scene Study, Improvisation and Theater 101
1991 - present
Atlantic Theater Company Acting School - Practical Aesthetics
Taught all levels of acting and improvisation in the NYU BFA program and private conservatory
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First-year script analysis and performance technique
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Developed and implemented a styles curriculum focusing on rhyming verse, classic screwball comedy, film noir and silent physical comedy
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Immersive semester: the plays of Clifford Odets
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Immersive semester: American playwrights from the Great Depression through the 1950’s
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Immersive semester – the craft of comedy: silent, theatrical, TV and film
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Script analysis and performance technique to American college students as well as international students in six-week, summer intensive program
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14-week semester of improvisation focusing on impulse, ensemble building and story telling
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On-camera commercial audition technique
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Directed numerous full-length and one-act productions as well as produced evenings of one-acts performed by 2nd year students in the program (see directing resume for detailed information)
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Trained new faculty
2014 - 2015
Tom Todoroff Conservatory
Improvisation: six-week intensive focusing on impulse, ensemble building, short form story telling
adjunct faculty
1994 - 1997
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
Taught Acting for Non-Majors to NYU undergraduates
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Curriculum included theater games, simple objectives, stage craft, basic script analysis and scene study
artist in residence
1986 - 1989
Oberlin Theater Institute, Oberlin College
Taught students 18-25 in summer intensive program while performing with Oberlin Theater Institute repertory company
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Acting, movement, clowning, basic stage combat & improvisation
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Performed with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company including Patrick Stewart, Lisa Harrow and Peter Needham
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Created/directed original one-act plays and improvised ensemble movement choreography
artist in the schools
2014 - present
Stages on the Sound
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Weekly workshops in NYC public schools starting with basic skills and stagecraft building to a Shakespeare Performance at year’s end
1984 - 1990
Good Clean Fun: an Educational Improvisation Company
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Performed Story Theater, conducted workshops and created original work with students throughout the NY metropolitan area.
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Wrote and performed new scenes and plays on demand tailored to the teaching points of high schools, temples and youth groups
administration
1993 - 1997
Associate Director, Atlantic Theater Company Acting School
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Managed curriculum development, scheduling and student advisement
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Produced and directed full-length and one-act student productions
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Managed advertising, payroll and interns
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Liaised with NYU Department of Undergraduate Drama on capitation and other key administrative issues
education
Bachelor of Fine Arts, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts
Circle in the Square Theater School and Practical Aesthetics Workshop (now known as Atlantic Theater Company Acting School)
Faculty Included William H. Macy, David Mamet, Felicity Huffman, Alan Langdon, Therese Hayden
references
Available on request
publications
Contributed a chapter on stagecraft and movement in improvisation classes for Movement for Actors Edited by Nicole Porter, Allworth Press, 2002
2010 - present
2010 - present