Though I had dabbled in teaching since my days as a student in the Graduate Acting Program where I spent summers as a pre-school teacher and was affectionately called Miss Gio (or Miss Cheetos by one brat who I think grew up to be a corporate raider), I began teaching in earnest in 1993 when I became an Assistant Instructor at my karate dojo. Under Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, who was responsible for bringing Kyokushin Karate to the US, and who would later leave that style to form his own, Seido, I learned how to focus and direct my energy, and that a strong spirit is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal.
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In 2000, upon completing the NYU Director’s Lab, which was part of the Graduate Acting Program for several years, I began teaching acting and directing in programs across the country, and for over a decade, back at Tisch School for the Arts. Through Kaicho, the senior teachers at Seido, and the legendary teachers in Grad Acting Program, I learned the value of play and exploration coupled with meticulous attention to detail. I rejoice in helping people expand and exceed their expectations of that which they thought they were capable. I know how to lead people through their fear and resistance into a safe place of curiosity and growth. Think of a board as a metaphor for an obstacle that stands in your way. I know how to break through those, I can teach you and will celebrate as the wood splinters.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
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Private Coaching (Acting, Directing, Script Analysis, Public Speaking) 2000 – Present
World Seido Karate Organization, Honbu 1993-1998
*Assistant Instructor, Adults Beginning to Intermediate
*Asst Instructor Children (White – Black Belt), West Side YMCA Program 1994-1998
University North Carolina School for the Arts Winter 2016
*Directing for the Stage
Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA) Summer 2014
*Contemporary Monologue
New York University 2007 – 2012
Tisch School of the Arts, Graduate Acting Program
*Theatre Games for 1st year MFA Students
New York University
Tisch School of the Arts, Department of Dance
*Acting for 2nd year BFA dance students 2001 - 2014
*Acting for 1st year MFA dance students 2006 - 2007
Cape May, New Jersey Film Festival
*Acting for Film/Working with Actors Nov. 2003 & 2004
The Acting Company, NYC & National Tour 2002/2003 Season
*Teacher of Acting, Theatre Games, Text and Improvisation
Shakespeare Sedona Institute, Sedona, AZ Summers 2000-2002
*Games and Acting Teacher
Numerous Guest Teaching Sessions at theatres, colleges and universities across the country.
(Selected Credits)
THE WOMEN by Clare Boothe Luce North Carolina School for the Arts
DESCRIBE THE NIGHT by Rajiv Joseph NYU Graduate Acting Program
THE CLEAN HOUSE by Sarah Ruhl NYU Graduate Acting Program
THE THREE SISTERS by Anton Chekhov NYU Graduate Acting Program
GAMES PROJECTS (5 total devised pieces) NYU Graduate Acting Program
DREAMERS a musical created with Keith Reddin, Alex Gemingiani Sarah Lawrence College, NY
SILENCE! By Brian Dykstra Stella Adler Conservatory, NYC
TOP GIRLS by Caryl Churchill Stella Adler Conservatory, NYC
MARION BRIDGE by Daniel MacIvor Stella Adler Conservatory, NYC
TIME AND THE CONWAYS by J.B. Priestly Stella Adler Conservatory, NYC
IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Oscar Wilde Stella Adler Conservatory, NYC
LOOSE KNIT by Theresa Rebeck Ramapo College, NJ
SAVAGE IN LIMBO by John Patrick Shanley RamapoCollege, NJ
BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO by Rajiv Joseph Purchase College, State Univ. of NY
PERFECT PIE by Judith Thompson Long Island Univ., C.W. Post Campus
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Numerous NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program Thesis Workshops.
"A strong spirit is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal."
"A first-rate production! Rajiv Joseph uses history to tell a story about the contemporary moment. The comic energy carries the characters to their tragic finish line and the last scene is perfection!"