James Stover
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JAMES STOVER The University of Toledo 2801 W Bancroft St. MS 611 Toledo, OH 43606 Office: PA 2055 419.530.2079 [email protected] Profile - One year as Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University’s BFA Theatre Performance program - 4 additional semesters as Adjunct Instructor at VCU teaching Acting and Movement to performance majors and Effective Speech to non-majors - 3 years working as Private Voice instructor with performance majors at VCU (including teaching breath support, resonance and diction) - 14 years working as professional actor performing Off-Broadway, in National Tours, on television and at regional theatres (including LORT) - 6 years experience working as director and assistant director in New York City, Philadelphia and regionally - 2 years assisting Broadway veteran and director/choreographer Patti D’Beck both in the university classroom and on productions - 5 years working as Teaching Artist with Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Columbus Children’s Theatre and the Utah Shakespeare Festival - Member of the Actor’s Equity Association and the Association of Theatre Movement Educators - Member and Presenter at the Southeastern Theatre Conference - Co-founder and former Associate Artistic Director of Philadelphia’s The Renegade Company (dedicated to re-inventing classic works) - Michael Chekhov Technique Teaching Certification Candidate with the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium (to be completed Spring ’17) Education Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance Pedagogy Emphases in Movement and Directing Virginia Commonwealth University May 2015 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Otterbein University June 2001 Teaching Areas of Specialization Introduction to Acting Foundations class in the fundamentals of Acting, introduction to the Stanislavski system and exploration in existing honestly in a theatrical world. Intermediate and Advanced Acting Applying fundamentals of movement, text analysis and realism in studying contemporary and classic works (including Shakespeare). Musical Theatre Performance Technique in acting the story through song, finding specificity in vocal and physical choices and clarity in acting and musical beats, understanding musical theatre styles and maintaining strong acting intention. Vocal Instruction Individual and Group instruction for students on breathing techniques, vowel adjustments, resonance, vocal posture, basics of sight singing, audition preparation and communication with accompanist. Audition Technique An examination of the professional audition for all types of theatre including study in the skills needed to gain access to the professional world of theatre. Movement for the Actor Expanding students’ physical range of movement and emotional impulses through exercises in breath, tempo, rhythm, levels and risk with explorations of Chekhov, Laban, Viewpoints and Lecoq. Directing Introductory and advanced techniques on text analysis from the director’s standpoint; staging in proscenium, thrust and the round and working collaboratively with actors, designers, stage managers and dramaturgs. Survey on famous theatrical directors’ styles and approaches. The Michael Chekhov Technique An introduction and exploration of the psycho-physical approach to acting based on the principles of the Michael Chekhov technique and how to incorporate the skills and exercises of the technique with the Stanislavski approach to acting. Stage Combat/Contemporary Violence for the Stage Introductory violence class for students of acting, directing and design focusing on the skills needed to create logical violence onstage with emphasis in unarmed combat and contemporary violence. Specialized Training/Certifications Michael Chekhov Technique-Teacher Certification Candidate Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium Currently working toward Certification in Michael Chekhov technique, having completed two years of the three-year training program. Certification expected in Spring 2017 Unarmed Stage Combat Society of American Fight Directors Unarmed Certification as well as training in Broadsword, Rapier and Quarterstaff Musical Theatre Styles/Vocal Methodology Extensive vocal training including Legit Musical Theatre, Contemporary Legit and Contemporary Belt with West End Conductor Kevin Purcell and Barrymore Award winning Actress Jennie Eisenhower Linklater Training Extensive undergraduate training in the Linklater Voice Technique as well as workshop with Erica Hughes and Kristin Linklater on teaching the technique. Acting By Mistake Individual and group study with William Roudebush on his unique approach to analyzing text , discovering unique choices and remaining present in the moment. Masks for the Theatre Classes in performance and pedagogy exploring mask work including extensive study in Neutral Mask and exploration of Larval and Character Masks Teaching Experience Virginia Commonwealth University, Visiting Assistant Professor Movement for the Actor I (two sections) -introduction and exploration of how to strengthen the body, understand proper alignment and broaden the possibilities of fearless physical expression using Laban, Chekhov, Viewpoints and Lecoq Movement for the Actor II (two sections) -continued exploration of how to use the body in a theatrical setting and explore character development through physical exercises and methodologies. Musical Theatre Performance I -introduction and exploration of the canon of musical theatre and a foundational approach to applying acting fundamentals to musical theatre performance and auditions. Musical Theater Performance II (Musical Theatre Audition Technique) -audition technique class on how to prepare material for musical theatre auditions as well as a continuation of connecting acting fundamentals to musical theatre performance. Physical Theatre: Mask (guest instructor) -guest taught for two classes of the Graduate Level Mask Movement Pedagogy class introducing the students to Lecoq’s Larvel Mask and their application in the classroom. Virginia Commonwealth University, Adjunct Instructor/Teaching Assistant Introduction to Acting I Adjunct Instructor -introduction to basic acting principals and existing comfortably and honestly in a scene. Use of Uta Hagen exercises and readings of master teachers to provide basic acting vocabulary. Introduction to Acting II Adjunct Instructor -introduction to the Stanislavski system. Continuing explorations in relaxation, text analysis and existing honestly in a theatrical environment. Movement for the Actor I Adjunct Instructor -introduction and exploration of how to strengthen the body, understand proper alignment and broaden the possibilities of fearless physical expression using Laban, Chekhov, Viewpoints and Lecoq Movement for the Actor II Adjunct Instructor -continued exploration of how to use the body in a theatrical setting and explore character development through physical exercises and methodologies. Effective Speech for Business & Professionals (two semesters) Adjunct Instructor -structured speaking and critical listening within the basic forms of speech communication. Private Voice Lessons (six semesters) Instructor -teaching theatre performance majors basic singing techniques as well as acting through song including learning anatomy of the voice and Linklater methodology (6 semesters) Topics in Theatre: The Michael Chekhov Technique Teaching Assistant and Guest Instructor -introduction and exploration of the Michael Chekhov technique, explored through ensemble building, physical exploration and psycho-physical work with text. Movement for the Actor I Teaching Assistant -assisting Broadway veteran Patti D’Beck on the introduction and exploration of how to use the body as an actor in a theatrical setting. Movement for the Actor II Teaching Assistant -A continued exploration on how to expand use the body as an actor including animal work and application of movement methods to contemporary text. Musical Theatre Performance I Teaching Assistant -assisting Broadway veteran Patti D’Beck on basics of singing and applying acting techniques to musical theatre performance. Musical Theatre Performance II (Musical Theatre Audition Technique) Teaching Assistant (Leading multiple lessons of the class) -A continued exploration on applying acting principles while singing as well working with an accompanist as well as a guided process through auditioning for musical theatre. Further Teaching/Teaching Artist Experience Virginia Commonwealth University Summer Intensive, Instructor Musical Theatre Performance, Co-Instructor-Stage Combat (2 years) -taught three week summer course to high school students preparing to study theatre at the college level Utah Shakespeare Festival Junior Actor Camp, Teaching Artist Shakespearean Text and Stage Combat (one semester) -teaching workshops and scene coaching high students attending USF’s Jr. Actor Camp Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Teaching Artist Playwriting (three years) -teaching middle school students basic playwriting skills and introduction to theatre -nominated for the 2012 and 2013 Magner Award for Outstanding Teaching Team Interact Theatre Company, Workshop Leader Theatre & Communication (two years) -leader of workshops with college students about diversity and using creativity to deal with social issues Columbus Children’s Theatre, Teaching Artist Musical Theatre Performance (two semesters) -teaching high school students “acting through song” and musical theatre audition preparation Ashtabula Arts Center, Teaching Artist Intermediate