ERIC HUNICUTT Director | Actor | Improv Specialist | Arts Educator & Administrator CURRICULUM VITAE
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ERIC HUNICUTT Director | Actor | Improv Specialist | Arts Educator & Administrator CURRICULUM VITAE HIGHER EDUCATION BACHELOR OF ARTS COMMUNICATIONS – MEDIA STUDIES / PRODUCTION The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC Graduate with Highest Distinction; Dean’s List; GPA 3.8 CAROLINA BUSINESS INSTITUTE University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC ADDITIONAL PROFESSSIONAL TRAINING GOB SQUAD San Diego CA / 2017 ALAN ALDA CENTER FOR COMMUNICATING SCIENCE Stony Brook University NY / 2016 AK STUDIOS Los Angeles / 2012 – 2015 LINCOLN CENTER THEATER DIRECTORS LAB New York / 2013 WARNER LOUGHLIN STUDIOS Los Angeles / 2009 – 2010 STEPPENWOLF CLASSES WEST Los Angeles / 2006 – 2008 IMPROV OLYMPIC (IO) WEST THEATER Los Angeles / 2005 – 2007 IMPROV OLYMPIC (iO) THEATER Chicago / 1999-2005 THE SECOND CITY CONSERVATORY Chicago / 1999 – 2001 COMEDY SPORTZ THEATER Raleigh, NC / 1992 -1999 HONORS Phi Beta Kappa; Golden Key Honor Society; Dean’s List ADMINISTRATIVE & MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE Producer & Managing Director Steppenwolf Classes West Summer Intensive / 2016 – Present Administrator, Media & Website Coordinator Steppenwolf Classes West / 2009 – Present Director of Training / Managing Director / Bookkeeper Improv Olympic West Theatre & Training Center, Los Angeles / 2005 – 2009 Producer Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival / 2005 – 2009 ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE Instructor, Graduate Division / 2016 - Present University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA • Teach science communication techniques to undergraduate, graduate, post-docs, researchers and faculty in the sciences at UC San Diego. • Train presenters, researchers, and science faculty in public speaking, science communication skills for public audiences, science writing for the public, using improvisation and message distillation techniques. • Train participants for on-camera interviews and filmed presentations. • Develop, revise, and implement customized curriculum for 2-4 day workshops, utilizing Spolin exercises, theatre games, teambuilding techniques, and elements of journalism, marketing, public speaking, and techniques from Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. Faculty / 2015 - 2018 The Australian Film & Television Academy (TAFTA), Los Angeles, CA • Taught acting for film & television comedy to 8-16 professional actors and students from professional training program based in Australia. Lecture and lead scene study focusing on single and multi-cam sitcom acting technique, on-camera audition technique, text analysis for television comedy scripts and audition material. • Taught improvisation for television & film, using Spolin-based games and long-form improv techniques to supplement Stanislavsky and Meisner-based training for television and film auditions and performances. California State University Summer Arts: Steppenwolf Classes West, Fresno, CA & Monterey, CA / 2008, 2010, 2016 • Taught improvisation and ensemble work to graduate and undergraduate program candidates and professional actors as member of the core faculty in 2-4 week residential intensives, 25-50 students. • Co-director of culminating public performances. • Performed with co-faculty in public performances and readings for Summer Arts Festival. Faculty / 2012 – 2015 Stella Adler / The Art of Acting Studio, Los Angeles, CA • Taught movement and improv to undergraduate and certificate candidates in accredited conservatory program using Viewpoints, contact improvisation, Adler techniques, clown, Spolin and Johnstone improvisation. • Co-taught with other movement faculty, co-developed and rehearsed original devised student performance. • Evaluated student growth and performance in class, submitted grades and written assessments to administration. • Participated in end of year faculty assessments and in-person student evaluation panels. • Participated in faculty readings, new play workshops and seminars. Guest Faculty & Director / 2011 University of California San Diego - Dept. of Theatre & Dance, La Jolla, CA • Taught undergraduate level acting course for performance majors. Taught text analysis, basic dramaturgy, monologue and audition preparation, foundational acting techniques utilizing Stanislavski, Adler, and Spolin. • Developed, assigned, and evaluated written assignments as required by department. • Evaluated student progress and growth, assigned end of course grades, mentored students and provided personalized feedback throughout the class. • Selected and directed Fall semester undergraduate production of The Thugs. California State University Summer Arts: Chicago Style Improv & Sketch Comedy, Fresno, CA / 2009 • Taught graduate and undergraduate program candidates and professional actors Spolin, Johnstone, and long-form improv fundamentals, intermediate scene work and character work and sketch comedy in two-week residential intensive culminating in public performances. • Performed improv and scripted comedy for the public as part of the Summer Arts Festival. PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE Faculty / 2007 – Present Steppenwolf Classes West, Los Angeles, CA • Teach Improvisation for the Actor classes to professional and post-graduate actors in 8-12 week class sessions with 10-16 students. Integrate Spolin, Stanislavsky, Meisner, and Hagen-based exercises and techniques with long-form improvisation skills and philosophies. • Co-teach (with Alexandra Billings) 10-12 week Viewpoints & Improvisation class, combining long-form improvisation and Viewpoints training with text and composition work. • Co-teach (with Jeff Perry and Alexandra Billings) Viewpoints, Scene Study, & Improv Lab class to advanced students and professionals. Integrate Stanislavsky, Hagen, and Meisner-based acting techniques, Spolin and long-form improvisation techniques, contact improvisation, Viewpoints training, text analysis, scene study, and composition work. Faculty & Staff Coach (Certified Warner Loughlin Technique Teacher) / 2009 – Present Warner Loughlin Studios, Los Angeles, CA • Teach Comedy for Television & Film ongoing weekly scene study class. 8-16 intermediate to advanced professional and aspiring professional actors. • Designed and implemented the Warner Loughlin Comedy Technique Intensive. • Teach one and two-day introductory text analysis, dramaturgy, and Loughlin technique workshops for incoming studio members. • Teach on-camera audition workshops. Develop and implement customized workshop curriculum for 4-8 week class focusing on auditioning for tv & films. Provide individualized feedback and goal setting for students. • Teach master class level scene study, using Warner Loughlin Technique, Stanislavsky, Hagen, and Meisner techniques, improvisation, multi-camera and single camera television acting techniques. • Teach Auditioning for Television Comedy workshop. Develop custom curriculum and teach 6-8 week workshop focusing on multi-cam and single cam comedy text analysis and audition techniques. • Evaluate prospective students‘ resumes and reel submissions, advise studio management on the placement of incoming students. • Coach private clients in audition preparation, provide coaching and direction during taped audition sessions, provide on-set coaching for working clients. Responsible for maintaining a diverse range of professional and aspiring professional clients, coaching on wide variety of roles and auditions, including co- stars, guest stars, and series regulars. Independent Acting Teacher, Private Acting Coach / 2016 – 2018 Los Angeles, CA • Taught weekly advanced-level, highly selective scene study master class to experienced professional actors, incorporating elements of improvisation, Stanislavsky, Hagen, and Meisner techniques and elements of mindfulness training to support a broad range of professional performance work. • Created a safe and supportive classroom environment for acting professionals to identify and examine challenging material and to explore psychologically and emotionally demanding work. • Coordinated enrollment, scheduling, payment, and facility rental for group classes. • Provided customized individual acting and audition coaching for film, television, and theatre audition preparation, during taped audition sessions, and for professionals while working on-set. Faculty / 2005 – 2018 Improv Olympic (iO) West Theater & Training Center, Los Angeles, CA • Taught introductory through advanced level improvisation classes in renowned yearlong conservatory program. • Incorporated the exercises of Viola Spolin, Paul Sills, Keith Johnstone, and long- form improvisation techniques pioneered by Del Close, Charna Halpern, Mick Napier, Martin DeMaat, and others for professional actors, comedians, writers, and improvisers in 6-10 week class format. • Integrated elements of Stanislavsky, Hagen, Meisner, and Viewpoints training into traditional improvisation training and curriculum. • Designed and implemented curriculum for advanced-level workshops and master classes focusing on improvisational structures/forms, character and scene work techniques, teambuilding, and advanced ensemble work incorporating Viewpoints, contact improvisation, and physical theatre techniques. • Provided direction and support to student participants in showcases and public performances through guided rehearsals and preparation, performance-focused classwork, and individual post-performance feedback. • Assessed student progress and made recommendations for student advancement based on teacher evaluations. • Mentored teachers in training and performers advancing into teaching positions by providing feedback and guidance