NMCA Certified Artists

Robert Allen is an independent theater artist who teaches theater when he is not directing. He has had a full career as physical theater artist and dancer, performing with/for Reinhild Hoffmann (Germany), Kei Takei, Bill T. Jones, Gary Palmer, and others. Recent directing projects include Dream Play by August Strindberg (Theatre of Generations, St. Petersburg, Russia; 2008); Playing the Rapture (2008), For a Better World by Roland Schimmelpfennig (UMBC, 2006); Demotic (2006/2004); Dream Play by August Strindberg, adapted by Courtney Baron (Cal State Long Beach, 2003); The Roman Forum Project (2003); Zwischen Fear und Sex: Fünf Proben (Hellerau, Germany, 2002); Twilight by Anna Deveare Smith (Cal State Long Beach, 2002); Virtual Live (Location One, NY, 2002); How I Got That Story by Amlin Gray (NY, August 2001); The Roman Forum (Side Street Projects, 2000); Dear Anton (Chekhov Now Festival, 1999); The Creditors (New York International Fringe Festival, 1999); “August in January,” a festival celebrating August Strindberg’s 150th birthday (Theater 22, 1999); Le Ménage (LaMama E.T.C. 1998); Still Lies Quiet Truth (New York International Fringe Festival, 1998); and The Good Night (Theatre for the New City, 1998). Robert has an M.F.A. in Theater from Columbia University, where he studied directing with Anne Bogart, as well as an M.F.A. in modern dance from UCLA and a B.F.A. in visual art from the San Francisco Art Institute. He has taught directing, acting, and movement classes at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; California State University, Long Beach; and elsewhere.

Robert Allen received his M.F.A. in directing from Columbia University, where he studied under Anne Bogart, Andre Serban, Marcus Stern, and others. He also has an M.F.A. in choreography and performance from UCLA. While at UCLA he studied with Bill T. Jones and worked with him on several projects after graduation. He has had a full professional career as a dancer, choreographer, and physical theater artist in the United States and Europe. Since 1997, he has been actively choreographing and directing theater productions in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently, Baltimore. He has taught acting, directing, and movement for actors at Cypress College; California State University, Long Beach (where he held the title of Head of Movement); and most recently at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County as an Assistant Professor in directing.

Robert’s career as a performer includes extensive practical experience in various recent approaches to theater and dance making, both in the United States and in Germany. He was recruited to work in Germany for the choreographer Reinhild Hoffmann, a contemporary of Pina Bausch in the Tanztheater movement. Previously, he worked for Japanese choreographer Kei Takei.

His directing credits include participation in theater festivals such as the New York International Fringe Festival, the Chekhov Now Festival, and the “August in January” Strindberg festival. He’s directed the plays of new and emerging playwrights in connection with major producers such as LaMama E.T.C. and the Theater for the New City. He has also self-produced and directed a wide variety of new performance works in New York City and elsewhere. This work has been the subject of recent articles in a number of respected journals such as Leonardo: the Journal of the International Society for Art, Science & Technology; Horizon Zero, a publication of the Banff New Media Institute; and most recently in Extensions: the online journal of embodied technology, published by UCLA.

Robert is a certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov method for actor training with the National Michael Chekhov association. He is also a certified Yoga teacher with the National Yoga alliance.

www.robert-allen.net
hai@forger.com

Geoffrey is a Chicago-based teacher, director, adaptor, and interdisciplinary artist. He received his M.S. in Theatre History at Illinois State University and his M.F.A in Directing from the University of Idaho. Geoffrey is the Director of Theatre and Fine Arts Chair at Saint Patrick High School where he teaches, directs, and serves as Artistic Director for the summer immersion company where high school students participate in masterclasses, camps, and have the opportunity to work with professional artists. Tying in the work of Brazilian social activist, Augusto Boal, Geoffrey believes in radicalizing the transitional model of teacher/student. Geoffrey values leading artists towards positive transformation in their work and lives. His favorite quote from a former student is that he "teaches students to be uniquely themselves and embrace their personal gifts.”

Mariah is a Richmond, VA & Nashville,TN-based teacher, actor, singer, director, and choreographer. She received her BFA in Theatre and Dance & Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mariah explores Chekhov in many art forms: theatre, dance, a cappella, film, and life. She has won many awards such a best Choreography and finalist at ICCA’s, Bittersweet and Audience Choice Awards for the 48 hour film project, and various acting achievements awards. Mariah co-found Radiation Studios, a Chekhov inspired production company that focus a tight lens on inspired art through many art forms including a cappella, film, and classes.

Paul D. Bawek (AEA) is an actor, director, playwright, and acting coach who has taught acting & auditioning across the nation and abroad. He holds an MFA in Acting from UC-Davis and an MFA in Directing from SIU. Acting credits include work at Bloomsbury (UK), Fantasy, Studio, and B Street Theatre, where he co-starred with Timothy Busfield in the world premiere of Aaron Sorkin’s Hidden in This Picture. He was the spokesperson for United Interstate Financial, a reoccurring advertising character for Port of Subs, and an on-the-field interviewer of the Oakland A's baseball team for KSCH TV. Paul’s directed over 50 stage productions, including the world premiere of Average at London’s Bolivar (UK), and his play CrossRoads at the Studio Theatre (CA). He’s been recognized at KCACTF for his acting, directing, and fight choreography (rapier/dagger). Paul is currently teaching acting, directing, voice/dialects, and movement at FSC, where he received the Ben and Janice Wade Outstanding Teaching Award. Mr. Bawek’s book, Active Monologues That Director's Want to Hear, continues to be used in high schools and colleges.

Brad Beckman currently teaches Acting and Dramatic Literature at Syracuse University and is a private coach of acting and VO. He lives in Central NY state, has written in many forms and is an award winning playwright. He is also Drama Editor for the Stone Canoe Literary Journal, an experienced stage and film director, actor, VO talent, dramaturg, editor, and translator. He has been Artistic Director of the Fort Lauderdale Fringe Festival, has degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and New York University, and has taught at the university level since 1993. In NYC, he was a member of Richard Schechner’s East Coast Artists and worked extensively with the Bond Street and Teleo Theatres as well as with the Rude Mechs in Austin, TX. He’s worked at and been produced at venues like La Mama, PS 122, and HERE in NYC as well as throughout Europe, South America, and the US.

Merri Brewer is the Managing Director of Theatre Three in Dallas, Texas, and formerly the Producing Director at Creative Arts Theatre & School in Arlington, Texas. Merri is an accomplished teaching artist, director, and actor in the DFW area and is represented for broadcast by The Campbell Agency. She holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Christian University.

Payten Brewer is an actor, director, screenwriter and producer based out of Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (West) in 2017, after which she founded her production company. Payten’s production company, The Wild Heart Company, was established with the intention of creating more jobs for women in front of and behind the camera. Currently, the company has two films under its belt, a short and feature, where 70% of the casts/crews were led by women. Payten is thrilled to become the first certified NMCA artist as both an actor and director.

Contact Info: payten.brewer@gmail.com

Wesley Broulik is a theatre maker, actor, director, writer, and educator. His work has been seen on network television, feature films, national commercials, regional theatres, off-Broadway, and on international stages and screens. He currently serves on the faculty at Central Connecticut State University and is the former Head of Acting at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre & Film at The University of Nebraska, where he created their education abroad program in conjunction with Shakespeare’s Globe, Complicité, and Frantic Assembly. Wesley holds an MFA from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts, is an alum of the Director’s Studio at Shakespeare’s Globe/Globe Education, and is a certified yoga teacher. He also serves as Co-producing Artistic Director with Time’s Fool Company, a professional theatre company based out of Connecticut. He is a proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, SDC, and The Dramatists Guild Inc.

Dept: Visual and Performing Arts, English
Title: Teacher
Business Phone: 1826
Education: Bloomfield College - B.A.
Andover/Newton Theological School - M.A.

Harold Burnett is in his sixth year at Eagle Hill School, teaching Performing Arts and English. He began acting on stage at age six, performing in Gilbert and Sullivan productions and others. More recently he has performed in “The Man Who Came To Dinner”, “You Can’t Take It With You”, “Wait Until Dark”, and “Man Of La Mancha”. At Eagle Hill School he has directed productions such as "Arsenic and Old Lace”, “Done To Death”, “A Christmas Carol”, “The Man Who Came To Dinner”, and “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

Burnett received a bachelor's degree from Bloomfield College in New Jersey, and he taught English and Physical Education at Academia Buatista de Puerto Nuevo in San Juan Puerto Rico from 1965 to 1966. He received a master's degree in religion from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Massachusetts in 1971. For thirteen years he taught English and history at Blackstone Valley Vocational High School in Upton, Massachusetts. He currently lives in North Brookfield.

Eagle Hill School
www.ehs1.org
harburu@yahoo.com

T. FULTON BURNS (SDC & MFA) is a professional educator, performer, director, and fight choreographer, and a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. He has assisted direction with Moises Kaufman, collaborated & performed with the Living Theatre, danced with Charleston Ballet Theater & Greenville Ballet, and has worked as a leader with Cirque du Soleil.

Fulton attended Winthrop University where he earned his BA in Theatre Performance and completed his graduate work at Western Illinois University specializing in Directing for the Stage (MFA). He has taught in higher education for over a decade at schools including the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of South Alabama, The University of Montana, and Illinois College. He is currently Assistant Professor of Acting and Movement at Marshall University. Burns is professionally accredited as a Certified Teacher with the Expressive Actor Technique, Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, Registered Yoga Teacher (500 RYT, 200 Hour E-RYT & 100 Hour Warrior CT) with YogaFit & Yoga Alliance, and an Associate Instructor with Dueling Arts International.

Kara Cantrell is an actor, improviser, director, producer and educator who is currently serving as Associate Professor at Kennesaw State University. She has appeared on the big screen in Allegiant and Logan Lucky, in the Atlanta-produced web series, That's Educational, and in numerous industrials and television episodes. She has appeared frequently on stage with Stage Door Players, Theatre in the Square, Actor's Express, Synchronicity Theatre, Aurora Theatre, Jewish Theatre of the South, The Process Theatre Co., and Impulse Repertory Co., which she founded in 2011 and over which she presides as producing artistic director. Kara has taught acting and theatre & performance studies at the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Georgia, Georgia Perimeter College, and Kennesaw State University. She holds an MFA in acting from the University of Georgia, a BFA in acting from Western Kentucky University.

Kristen Cerelli (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) is an actor, director, singer-songwriter, and acting coach based in NYC. She has toured the country as Peter Pan, originated the role of Hertha Nielsen in the off-Broadway production of Tennessee Williams’ Spring Storm, has been seen on HBO’s The Sopranos, and her highest calling lies in bringing forth the creative and communicative gifts of others through a practice that is at once dynamic, deep and filled with levity. She has taught Acting, Voice, and Movement at SUNY Purchase, RVCC, Oklahoma City University, and the University of Kentucky. Kristen is a certified practitioner of Colaianni Speech and the Phonetic Pillows approach to dialect work, a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and a graduate of Newfield Network’s Professional Coach Training Program. In 2014 she was designated ACC by the International Coach Federation. She currently teaches and coaches both in person and via Zoom. Kristen is a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio, a devotee of silent meditation and human companion to the world’s best dog, Ellie.

Contact Kristen through her website: www.kristencerelli.com

Josh is an Acting Teacher and Director who has led workshops taught classes and guided productions all over the country. He is the former Head of Acting at New Mexico State University and former Head of Performance at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® and has trained with Patsy Rodenburg, Arthur Lessac, and Moises Kaufman, and the Tectonic Theater Project. A proud member of the Stage Director and Choreographers Society, recent Directing credits include critically acclaimed productions of the musical Mr. Popper’s Penguins for Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn, A Doll’s House and Moth at Richmond, Virginia's TheatreLAB, Eugene O'Neill's American classic Desire Under the Elms at the Firehouse Theater (Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Best Director Nomination) and an exploration of the Costa Rican folk tale La Segua at the Lincoln Center Directors Lab in New York.

Jeanie Cooper is a Professor of Acting at Oklahoma City University.

Contact info: jsholer@okc.edu

Gail Cronauer (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) is the lead NMCA teacher in Texas, the first certified in the state, and co-founder with Lisa Dalton of the MC program at Theatre Three in Dallas. She led the theatre program at Collin College where she taught acting for stage and film and directed plays after holding positions at Webster College, Illinois State University, UW-Green Bay, and Southern Methodist University. She has performed off-Broadway and in regional theatre. She was honored by the USA Film Festival for her work onscreen and most recently received stellar reviews as Mabel Blanche in The Vast of Night. Cronauer is the current VP of Women In Film Dallas. She specializes in helping actors and non-actors utilize the MC work regardless of their previous training and experience and currently teaches classes and coaches online and in person.

Kathryn is a professional actor, director, and teacher who has served as the Pedagogical Director of Actor Training at the Drama School of Mumbai. She trained in Lecoq and Stanislavsky at the Duoc Universidad Católica in Chile and also studied theatre and directing at Binghamton University while working on several international collaborations between the US and Chile. She holds an MFA in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre from Dell Arte International School of Physical Theatre, California. Kathryn is the co-founder of Mumbai-based theatre ensemble, Madball Company, which has toured its original theatre productions throughout India and was the first in the country to celebrate International Commedia Day.

Ofir Duan is an Israeli actor, writer, teacher, and director. He is a member of the Karov theatre ensemble as an actor and director. In 2015, he adapted the novel - The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski into a monodrama and acted it in Israel's biggest international festival. As an actor, he has performed in plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Kafka and others. He is a teacher of the Chekhov technique at the most highly respected art schools in Israel - Thelma Yellin and seminar hakibbutzim. Duan has translated To The Actor into Hebrew and has been instrumental in its publication in Israel.

Lisbon High School
jenniferfox1@aol.com

Associate Professor of Movement, Stage Combat and Acting
University of Florida
School of Theatre + Dance

TIZA GARLAND is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Florida where she teaches in the MFA, BFA, and BA programs. Her primary teaching responsibilities include teaching Movement for the Actor courses, Stage Combat, Period Styles Movement, and Dialects.

Professor Garland has a varied movement training background. She is a classically trained actor and has trained with the Dah Theatre in Belgrade, Serbia in Grotowski-based work. She studied Meyerhold's Biomechanics with Gennadi Bogdanov, as well as training with the United Stuntmen's Association in Seattle, Washington. She attended the Aerial Dance Festival in Boulder, Colorado where she trained in various aerial dance techniques and apparatus.

Professor Garland is a Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA). She's a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), a Certified Teacher with British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat (BASSC), and a Senior Teacher with Dueling Arts International.

She is serving in her second term as President of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). She previously served as Vice-President of Programming, Secretary for the Executive Committee, Chair of the Stage Movement Committee, Chair of the Leighton Ballew Scholarship Committee, and served on the Long Range Planning Committee for SETC.

She has taught various movement and stage combat workshops and Master Classes at universities across the country, including Michigan State University, Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, Western Michigan University, Georgia College and State University, and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. She taught workshops at state theatre conferences and regional, national, and international venues.

Tiza recently completed her course work towards a PhD in Fine Arts at Texas Tech University. She earned her MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in Theatre Pedagogy with a focus in Movement and Fight Direction, and she earned her BA in Theatre, Spanish and Asian Studies from Western Michigan University.

tgarland@arts.ufl.edu
TizaG1@aol.com

Phone: 352-273-0518

Nichole Hamilton (AEA) is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at New Mexico State University and teaches undergraduate courses in Vocal Production and Acting. She is a company member at the Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville Florida and has acted and directed in regional theatre across the country. She performs her solo show Dame DaDa & the Meta Show in fringe venues. Nichole holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Montevallo and an MFA in Acting from the University of Florida.

Jeanine Henry has been the Director of Theatre Arts at Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, Florida since 2009, having also served in that position from 1996-1998. She has presented workshops in the Michael Chekhov acting system at the International Arts in Society Conference, Southeastern Theatre Conference, and Florida Theatre Conference. She is active in the Florida College System Activities Association and is a member of the FCSAA Hall of Fame. Prior to joining EFSC, she served as Casting Director and Production Assistant for PGT Entertainment, a provider of entertainment for the cruise ship industry. She has worked in theatre for youth and is co-author of The Emperor’s New Clothes, published by Dramatic Publishing. Jeanine holds a B.A. in Theatre from Agnes Scott College and an M.A. from Florida State University.

Joe Herrera is an American actor whose work spans across film, TV, Voiceover, and theatre. He recently appeared as Detective Emilio Sanchez in the thriller Inheritance starring Lily Collins and has also played opposite actor Kevin Sorbo in the feature Let There Be Light. As a voiceover artist, he has played the voice of God, Moses, and other various Biblical characters in the Kingstone Comics’ motion comic stories of Genesis, Jonah, and Moses. He has been on stage work in New York and Chicago and has a recurring role as Willie Monroe in the 2nd Season of the BET Plus series The Family Business. In 2021 he will star in the upcoming TV series, From Yard as Officer Diaz.

Joe holds his M.A. in Theatre from Regent University. He teaches theatre and acting courses at Florida Southern College. Joe also teaches private one-on-one and group workshops in the Central Florida area and via Zoom, specializing in a psychophysical approach to the acting process.

Paul Hurley (AEA) is an Assistant Professor of Acting and Movement at Kent State University where he teaches in the MFA, BFA, and BA programs. He has been training actors and teaching workshops all around the country for the past 20 years. In addition to being a National Michael Chekhov Association Certified Teacher, he is also certified in the Meisner Technique.

Paul has worked as a professional actor since 2001. He has performed leading roles with such renowned theatres as the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, New York Classical Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and Utah Shakespeare Festival. He earned his BA from Lawrence University and his MFA in Acting from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program.

Anjalee Deshpande Hutchinson is a director, deviser, and educator who teaches at Bucknell University, wherein 2019 she received the Bucknell Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence and in 2020 was nominated for the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching. A graduate of the MFA directing program at Northwestern University, Anjalee studied under Robert Falls of the Goodman Theatre and has freelanced as an actor and director in New York City, Chicago, London, and Mumbai. She has trained in Moment Work through Andy Paris of The Tectonic Theatre Project and is an accredited teacher of the Sanford Meisner Technique through the True Acting Institute. Anjalee’s recent book; Michael Chekhov and Sanford Meisner; Collisions and Convergence in Actor Training, is available through Routledge Publishing, who also published her first book, Acting Exercises for Non-Traditional Performance: Michael Chekhov Reimagined. Most recently Anjalee was appointed as Faculty Fellow with Bucknell University's Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence, a Member of the MICHA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and as Co-Vice Chair of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region 2. Anjalee will be Co-Chairing KCACTF through 2027.

Kevin Inouye is Assistant Professor of Movement, Acting, & Stage Combat at Case Western Reserve University and the CWRU/Cleveland Playhouse MFA Program. He is also a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, an SDC Affiliate Fight Choreographer, SAG-AFTRA stunt performer, Assistant Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education, and a freelance artist. He is the author of The Screen Combat Handbook (2020) and The Theatrical Firearms Handbook (2014) with Focal Press, a chapter in Physical Dramaturgy (Routledge, 2018), and several journal articles in The Fight Master and elsewhere. He's taught workshops at conferences, festivals, and colleges around the US, on Chekhov's tools for Physical Subtext as well as other topics.

Justin is originally from the Mile-Hi city of Denver. He has his BA from the University of Northern Colorado and his MFA from the University of California, Irvine. He is also a graduate of the highly competitive and selective training program at The Groundlings School of Improvisation.

He spent a decade in Los Angeles pursuing work in TV & film and teaching at various programs, serving as the Associate Chair of Voice and Movement at the New York Film Academy. In 2015, Justin accepted a position in the Ira Brind School of Theater at the University of the Arts (UArts), where he is the Head of Acting, teaches sophomore Acting Studio, mentors UArts improv troupe: The Playground Champions, and produces and directs the Los Angeles Showcase. He continues to act and in 2019 performed in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at the Walnut Street Theatre and the world premiere of Whispers Gone at Theatre Exile in Philadelphia.

Craig Lee is a director, actor, and playwright who is currently the Director of Theatre at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas. He is the former Head of Performance Studies at Lon Morris College. He holds a BFA in Theater/Television from Texas Christian University and an MFA in Performance from the California Institute of the Arts.

He has directed for Tyler Civic Theatre, Artisan Center Theater, Grapevine’s Runway Theater, Casa Manana, and served as the Producing Artistic Director of Applause Theatrical School and Performance Company in Northwest Houston.
As an actor, he has performed with Theater Arlington, Dallas Children’s Theater, Fort Worth Opera, Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park, and Hip Pocket Theater.

He is active in KCACTF serving as Texas Chair and the Fringe festival Coordinator.

Craig’s plays are available from Eldridge Plays and Musicals.

Contact Info: craig.lee@tvcc.edu

Professor and Director of the University of Florida's Center for the Arts and Public Policy

KEVIN MARSHALL was Director of University of Florida’s School of Theatre and Dance for 12 years and produced Florida’s First Coast Arts Festival in St. Augustine. Mr. Marshall taught for sixteen years at the University of Alabama where he developed the highly successful graduate program in Theatre Management/Arts Administration in conjunction with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Mr. Marshall is the co-author of Theatre Management: A Successful Guide to Producing Plays on Commercial and Non-Profit Stages.

Professor Marshall received an MFA in Directing from Ohio University, was on the staff of NYC’s Manhattan Theatre Club and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and has managed small theatre companies in the south and on the east coast.

University of Florida
http://www.arts.ufl.edu/
kmarshall@arts.ufl.edu

Christie Maturo (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) is an actor, professor, coach, and producer. Currently, she works as an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Central Connecticut State University where she teaches and directs. She holds a BS in theatre and sign language from Towson University, a secondary English teaching credential from CSUB, studied with the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia and has a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from NIU. She is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory program and a certified Meisner teacher. Her most current projects include producing and acting in the short film Not Nothing, and participating in a new works reading festival with the Caravan Theatre in New Haven, CT.

Lance Mekeel is an Assistant Professor of Instruction at Ohio University Chillicothe, teaching courses in theater and communications, and serving as the Director of the Theater Program. Lance earned his Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University in 2013. The holistic approach to acting theorized and advocated by Mr. Chekhov and applied by the NMCA fits well within Lance's broad approach to the discipline of theatre, in which he sees the classroom as a laboratory for exploration, and the rehearsal room as a place to theorize creative activity. This praxis forms the backbone of all of Lance's theatre-making. Lance has shared his expertise of the Chekhov Technique in the classroom (acting, performance studies, public speaking, theatre history), invited lectures and workshops, and in juried presentations at regional and national conferences, as well as in his work as an educational and professional director.

Lance is currently accepting acting students both at OUC's campus and at students' homes.

MFA, Acting for TV, Film and Theatre: Cal State University, LA
BFA, Musical Theatre: Central Michigan University, Acting Intensive: Urdang Academy (London, UK)
Fitzmaurice Voice: Saul Kotzubei, Cynthia DeCure / Voiceover: Shut Up & Talk, NYC (Noel Short)
Shakespeare Intensive: London College (UK): Guest artists from RADA/Royal Shakespeare Co.
Classical Voice: Dr. Susan Kane, Tim Caldwell, Dr. Soo Yeon Kim
Improv: Upright Citizens Brigade (Nick Mandernach), SAG-AFTRA Conservatory (Jeff Nachalski)

SAG-AFTRA
NMCA Certified Michael Chekhov Teacher
Assistant Professor of Theatre at Florida Gulf Coast University

Joe Myers is a fight choreographer and stage combat instructor based in Virginia who is dedicated to collaboratively creating stories. Along with being a proud NMCA Certified Teacher, he is a full member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a certified stage combat instructor with Dueling Arts International, a member of SAG-AFTRA, and a member of the Association of Theatre Movement Educators. Joe earned his B.A. in Theater from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2018.

Contact info: joemyersfights@gmail.com

Bruce Nelson is an independent curator, documentary filmmaker and published author from Mesa, Arizona. His work as a curator and documentarian focuses heavily on his experience of living in the once segregated Washington Escobedo neighborhood. His method of curation uses community input as its foundation to thereby reflect and celebrate community members of this often overlooked neighborhood. Nelson’s film practice has developed to be in conversation with compatible exhibitions without either relying on one another for context.

Online Media:
linkedin.com/in/bruce-nelson-349b5614
nebproductions.com
facebook.com/NEB-Productions-104160548077912 (https://www.facebook.com/NEB-P)
amazon.com/Bruce-Nelson/e/B085DH8NT5?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000 (Portfolio)

Amy Roeder has been a theater professional for nearly 20 years, distinguishing herself as an actor, director, writer, teacher, and producer. Most recently, Amy was a faculty member at Chicago's famed Second City Training Center and also served as a freelance trainer in improvisational techniques for business with such clients as Starcom Mediavest and Archer Grey Consulting. Locally, she has been a company member of Bar Harbor's Improv Acadia. Previously, Amy was a drama therapist in New York City and a youth program coordinator in Boston; and she taught master classes at the Tony Award-winning Playhouse in the Park in Cincinnati. She received her BFA in theatre from the University of Evansville and her MFA in theatre from the University of Georgia; and she feels fortunate to have studied with Nobel Peace Prize nominee Augusto Boal in Rio de Janeiro.

Director of Education
Penobscot Theatre Company
Bangor Opera House
207.947.6618
www.penobscottheatre.org
amy@penobscottheatre.org

Certified Fitzmaurice Voicework Practitioner Associate Professor Voice and Speech, Acting, Directing Acting 1, Speech for the Stage, Directing, Introduction to Acting, Dialects for the Stage, Advanced Voice and Speech State University of New York at New Paltz
Nancy Saklad teaches acting and voice at the State University of New York at New Paltz. When not teaching, she directs and coaches.
Favorite directing credits include Much Ado About Nothing at Boston’s Publik Theatre, How I Learned To Drive at Durham Center Stage and Other People’s Money at Seacoast Repertory Theatre. She also directed the Professional Division Moss Hart Award winning production of The Diary of Anne Frank at Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, NH.
Nancy has taught acting, voice and directing at the University of Miami, FL, the University of NH, Regis College in MA, Queens College in NY, and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Nancy is also a recipient of the Kennedy Center-American College Theatre Festival Bronze Medallion for service to the New England Region. She is a certified Fitzmaurice Voicework practitioner and is also certified in Michael Chekhov acting technique. Over the past few years she has been affiliated with the acclaimed Pearl Theatre in New York City as a Fitzmaurice Voicework coach and consultant. “I have been combining the Chekhov work with Fitzmaurice voice work since 2000,” reports Saklad. “I wrote an article about this work that was published in the Voice and Speech Review in 2009 called: A Focus on Fusion: The Symbiotic Vocal Physical Relationship of Chekhov and Fitzmaurice. I am an associate professor at the State University of New York at New Paltz where I teacher voice and speech and acting. I use the Chekhov work both in my acting classes and in the voice classes.” Saklad teaches frequently at the ATHE, VASTA and KC-ACTF conferences.

University of New York
newpaltz.edu
sakladn@newpaltz.edu

Arendell Parrott Academy
parrottacademy.org
janice.schreiber@suddenlink.net

Susan Schuld has been acting, vocal coaching, and teaching for over 25 years. She is an assistant professor of Voice, Speech, and Accents/Dialects for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Florida. Previous teaching faculties include the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Virginia Commonwealth University, The Actor's Studio at Pace University MFA program, Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts, NYU Tisch School of the Arts CAP21, Circle in the Square, Maggie Flanigan Acting Studio, The Linklater Center and the University of Northern Iowa. Regional acting and vocal coaching credits include American Players Theatre, Hippodrome Theatre Company, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, Henley Street/Richmond Shakespeare, Playwrights Horizons NYC, Mile Square Theater, Amphibian Productions, Colonial Theater, Childsplay AZ, and the Berkshire Theatre Festival. M.F.A in Acting from Rutgers University. Susan is a Designated Linklater Teacher and a Certified Teacher of the Knight-Thompson Speechwork.

Jack Shea, Coordinator
Theatre Arts Program
Department of English
Westfield State University
577 Western Avenue
Westfield, MA 01086-1630
(413) 572-5333
jshea@westfield.ma.edu

www.westfield.ma.edu/theatrearts

Jack Shea is the Coordinator of the English department's Theatre Arts Program, which offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts. He teaches acting, directing, playwriting, script analysis and interpretation, and theatre management, and he directs many of the Program's theatrical productions.

Before joining the Westfield State faculty in 1997, Professor Shea was an Assistant Professor and Guest Artist in Residence for four years in the Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Memphis where he taught acting in its B.F.A. program and directing in its M.F.A. program.

During his time in Memphis, he also worked as an actor and director at Theatre Memphis. He taught as an Instructor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles prior to teaching at Memphis.

Professor Shea worked for many years as an actor and director in San Francisco and Los Angeles, appearing on stage and in film and television. He is a member of all three professional acting unions - Actors' Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (AFTRA).

He is a member of and trains regularly with the New York-based Michael Chekhov Association (MICHA), working with Mala Powers, Joanna Merlin, Lisa Dalton, Phelim McDermott, David Zinder, and Lenard Petit among others. In addition to holding two certifications as a teacher of the Chekhov acting technique, he also has extensive training and experience in the Stanislavski system of acting, having worked with Delia Salvi, Peggy Fuery, Salome Jens, Jean Shelton, and Harold Clurman among others.

He recently acted and directed for four years with the Becket Playwrights Festival in Becket, Massachusetts. Professor Shea earned a bachelor's degree in History from Stanford University (Phi Beta Kappa), and an M.A. in Critical Studies, an M.F.A. in Acting, and an M.F.A. in Directing from UCLA's School of Theatre, Film, and Television where he studied with George Schaefer, Michael Gordon, Michael McLain, Catherine Fitzmaurice, Delia Salvi, Edit Villareal, Rae Allen, and Frank Condon. His master or arts thesis was titled "The Realist and the Dreamer: The Duality of the Irish Character in Sean O'Casey's Dublin Trilogy." He is also a member of the Westfield State chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.

Westfield State University
jshea@wsc.ma.edu
westfield.ma.edu

Theatre Arts, Director at Rosarian Academy
rosarian.org

bob@rosarian.org

English Teacher at Attica High School

Studied Speech and Theatre Education at Ball State University

Attica High School
attica.k12.in.us
jyllianacts@sbcglobal.net

Kathleen Sills is an Associate Professor and current Chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Kathleen holds an undergraduate degree in theatre from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. from Tufts University. She is a founding member of the Lifeline Theatre in Chicago, Illinois and works in the Boston area as a freelance director and actor. At Merrimack College, Sills has directed: New York, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Laramie Project, The Exonerated, Lysistrata, Lend Me a Tenor, Dracula, Urinetown, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Moon Over Buffalo. Dr. Sills is an active respondent and serves on the Directing Team for Region 1 of the Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival. Sills’ scholarship focuses on mid-twentieth century actor training and she is a certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov method.

Merrimac College
merrimack.edu
kathleen.sills@merrimack.edu

Jeff is an actor, director, teacher and producer with professional credits all over the Midwest including Minneapolis, Chicago, and Detroit. As an actor, he has played major roles at The Purple Rose, Meadowbrook, Tipping Point, Citylit (Chicago), Detroit Rep, and The Jewish Ensemble Theatre. He served for 4 seasons as the Artistic Director of Water Works Theatre, Michigan's oldest and largest Professional Outdoor Shakespeare Company. He is also a seasoned on-camera actor who has shot scores of commercials, films, and industrials.

Jeff is a certified Master Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Technique through The National Michael Chekhov Association and The Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. He also holds a Certificate of Completion from MICHA, The Michael Chekhov Association.

Adjunct Professor of Theatre at Broward College in Boca Raton, Florida.
Michael Chekhov Certified Teacher

linkedin.com/in/katherine-valli-94801b224