Experience & Education
University of Northern Iowa
Assistant Professor of Theatre- Acting
2018-present
Movement for the Actor, Playscript Analysis, Acting, Acting Studio, Sanford Meisner Approach, Acting Styles
Theatre Cedar Rapids
Instructor of Adult Scene Study
February 19th - April 2nd, 2019
Theatre Cedar Rapids
Instructor of Adult Acting: Foundations
April 9th- May 14th, 2019
Kent State University, MFA Theatre/Acting
2015-2018
True Acting Institute
2017
Teacher Certification Program for Meisner
East Carolina University
BFA in Musical Theatre
1995-1999
B.F.A. Musical Theatre
2 year Sanford Meisner Approach
Projects/News
Updates Forthcoming...
Spring 2021
Jim and colleague Gretta Berghammer will co-direct Dream With ME, a film completely devised by students, utilizing components of Theatre of the Oppressed, Hip-Hop Theatre, Documentary Theatre and Spoken Word. Dream With ME aims to explore the pandemics of Covid 19 as well as societal inequalities and how it has impacted our community and student life.
Spring 2020
Jim directed the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy You Can't Take it with You by George S. Kauffman & Moss Hart @ TheatreUNI
Spring, 2020
Summer 2019
Jim stars as Older Jules/Father @ Dobama Theatre in Cleveland!
June 27- July 14, 2019
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jay Turvey and Paul Sportelli
directed by Matthew Wright
music directed by Matthew DolanFall, 2019
"Anything You Can Do, I Can Do...?"- exploring representation in American Musical Theatre
Jim Bray and Amy Osatinski were awarded a summer fellowship from The University of Northern Iowa to create this thought provoking and challenging Cabaret centered on race, inclusion, and exactly what we should consider when casting and exploring accurate representation in Musical Theatre.
March 7th, 2019
I Rise :
A Performance piece celebrating Black History
@ TheatreUNI conceived and choreographed by Jim Bray and Caroline Henry with direction by Jim Bray
February 21st- March 3rd, 2019
Jim is overseeing the Period Movement for Legacy of Light by Karen Zacarias @ Theatre UNI
Legacy of Light runs February 21st- March 3rd and is directed by Amy S. Osatinski
January 2019
Congratulations to the cast of Next to Normal , Porthouse Theatre on their acknowledgement for "Superior Achievement in a Musical Theatre Production"!
L-R: Jim Bray, Jonathan Swoboda, Madison Adams Hagler, Amy Fritsche, Thom Christopher Warren, Andy Donnelly, Maddie Vanderberg, not pictured: Director, Jim Weaver
https://www.kent.edu/porthouse/news/porthouse-theatres-2018-season-recognized-annual-critics-awards
Check it out!
Jim in the new Panther Builders TV Commercial
December 2018
Jim chosen to participate in Anne Bogart's Viewpoints Masterclass in NYC @ SITI Company
Jim was chosen to participate in the weekend Masterclass with 24 other Theatre professionals from around the world. He is studying Viewpoints in order to integrate depth, impulsivity, and ensemble in his acting classes and directing.
"Play the moment, not the story."- Sanford Meisner
Resume
Research & Feedback
Kent State University
August 2015 - May 2018
During his graduate work at Kent, Jim was the teacher of record in 3 diverse classes and assisted in 4 others; teaching a total of 12 sections by graduation in 2018. In 2017 he became certified to teach the Meisner Approach at The True Acting Institute in Salem, Oregon. Jim is also developing his pedagogical work in Michael Chekhov, Laban, Viewpoints and Lessac techniques. "In my experience, students are able to cultivate a more personalized technique guided by a well-rounded professor." - Jim Bray
"Jim really motivated me to think about Shakespeare and my progress. "
"Jim made me want to do everything possible to learn more."
"Great encouraging instructor. Had great knowledge of the subject."
"Best professor I've had in 2 years."
"I really enjoyed being in your class. It was a pleasure being a part of the open and loving environment you created for us."
"Jim is fantastic and very good at what he does. He had all of us very passionate about theatre."
"Jim Bray has a power to turn acting into life, and his teaching method could not be more considerate or more effective. "
" This was my favorite class. I wish there was a part two. Jim is amazing!"
"Love this class. Jim motivates me everyday to be a better version of myself."
"Class activities were VERY helpful to my acting process and growth as an actor."
"Simply put, Jim is the most passionate teacher I’ve ever had. He influenced my life and career in the best way and continues to do so from across the country."
"The growth I saw in myself and others in one semester was tantamount to two years under another teacher, and it was work we wanted to be doing."
"Jim Bray is an absolute professional who is knowledgeable and open-minded. Best professor, bar none!"
ATHE Conference Presentation, 2020
MTS wins Most Promising New Student Organization, April 2020
Jim on Linked in
"Due to the nature of the work, it is important to feel safe and supported. Jim has the keen ability to take students where they're at, and work with them in a supportive and healthy way."
"This was the first Acting class I have ever taken, and Jim helped me build my confidence and made me excited to do theatre again."
"Professor Bray not only teaches what it means to be an actor but he also models it."
"I am constantly inspired by Professor Bray to innovate and evolve as an educator, mentor, and campus member and I know that he is inspiring our students to do the same."
"I believe that Prof. Bray's strongest abilities lie in considering the point of entry of each and every one of his students, going above and beyond in his support of meeting their needs, and igniting and reigniting a passion for theatre in every one of us."
"Professor Bray worked alongside his students to identify the need for a space for representation for our students of color in theater. He relentlessly pursued the creation of MTS; a student group that benefits not only the Department of Theatre but our entire campus community."
"I have never worked with a more hands-on, caring, and imaginative director. I hope I get the chance to do so again."
"I really enjoyed working with Jim. There was great communication and I loved how much Jim let me contribute my ideas during rehearsal. He made me feel like a valued asset to this production."
"Jim's main strengths are inclusion, compassion, caring and knowledge on the topic of Acting."
"Professor Bray is a teacher whose knowledge of his subject matter is broad and deep, who is self-assured, respected by his students, and who creates a strong student-centered learning environment in his classes. He is able to make solid and specific connections between established learning outcomes and the in-class exercises, activities, and projects he employs."
"Jim Bray has quickly become a role model of mine. His mind is extraordinary and his work is efficient and poignant. I really enjoyed working with him, he made everything feel easy and fluid while still challenging us as actors and individuals. I genuinely appreciate working with him as a human and director. I would absolutely work with him again."
"Jim teaches multiple Acting courses in the Department of Theatre, and has an approach to teaching that is supportive, rigorous, and focused on student success."
Sights & Sounds
Reviews
River Reporter
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
"Amidst all of this madcap, spooky mayhem is one of my all-time returning favorites, character actor Jim Bray (Igor) who careens through this production at breakneck speed with such talent, such verve, and such style that he elevates “Frankenstein" even higher than thought possible, given the level of talent that he is sharing the stage with. Bray is a wonder to behold ... his performance is flawless and his showmanship outstanding.”- Jonathon Charles Fox, The River Reporter
33 1/3: A New Musical
Cleveland Stage Alliance
"...Bray tells us the tale from the perspective of Older Jules, and then adeptly steps into the story as Jules father. Bray is a dynamic actor. From the very beginning, his confidence and easy manner bring you directly into the play before you know it. His charm is undeniable, as is his talent. He shifts between storyteller and father personae with graceful ease. His acting completely on point, and his voice is glorious in tone, and emotional clarity. "
- ClevelandStageAlliance.com
TALKINBROADWAY.COM
"One standout in the cast is Jim Bray, who is able to give two distinct performances as both older Jules and the overworked, emotionally drained widower and father who simply does not understand his son." - Mark Horning TALKINBROADWAY.COM
Ashlynn Thompson-
The Burr Magazine
MACBETH
" Much is expected from the title character, but much more is received. Clearly a professional and experienced actor, Bray dazzles his audience with his submissiveness to his wife, his descent into madness in seeing the ghost of Banquo and his final stand as a prideful and paranoid king...Bray quickly goes from calm and celebratory, to chaotic and mad. These rapid beat changes are a test of a truly great actor. The play is worth seeing just for Bray’s performance worthy of a Tony nomination." -Ashlynn Thompson, The Burr Magazine
Bob Abelman- The Morning Journal
NEXT TO NORMAL
"Jim Bray as the two doctors who treat Diana adds yet another level of strong vocals and intriguing characterization to this production."- Bob Abelman, The Morning Journal
Bob Abelman- Cleveland Jewish News
SISTER ACT
"…“Lady in the Long Black Dress,” in which Jim Bray, Jimmy Ferko and William Tipton perform with abandon and riotously smarmy sex appeal…are just as funny as backup dancers during head henchman Curtis’ “When I Find My Baby.” - Bob Abelman CanvasCLE
Andy Propst, TheatreMania.com
SELECTIONS FROM SYMPATHY JONES ( CAST RECORDING)
"Also notable are Sue Mathys and Jim Bray as Kitty Hawk and Tick Tock, who make two melodramatically funny villains."- Andy Propst, TheatreMania.com
The Catskill Chronicle
MAN OF LA MANCHA
" Pilar Millhollen and Jim Bray were just about perfect in their major supporting roles of Aldonza / Dulcinea and The Manservant / Sancho Panza." -Barry Plaxon, The Catskill Chronicle
The Catskill Chronicle
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
"Jim Bray is a powerhouse of an Igor, a song and dance man extraordinaire with a migrating hump. “Together Again for the First Time” is a toe-tapping romp featuring Bray and Evans, wonderful chemistry between the two, and some seriously fancy footwork."- Lori Schneider, The Catskill Chronicle
Christine Howey-
raveandpan.blogspot.com
THE MUSIC MAN
"...Jim Bray as the anvil salesman Charlie Cowell add(s) some well timed humorous touches..."- Christine Howey, Rave and Pan
http://www.mytownneo.com/entertainment/20170723/stow-residents-perform-in-music-man-concert
Jo An Rosen,
RATTLESNAKE
“Best of all is Jim Bray, as the wayward soldier, Billy. With a full range of emotions, he convincingly portrays a young boy from Tennessee who knows nothing about women or the world, and ultimately finds himself too frightened to go to war.”- Jo An Rosen, nytheatre.com
The Stonewater Rapture
by Doug Wright
BROADWAYWORLD.COM
NEXT TO NORMAL
"Jim Bray gave nicely textured performances as both psychiatrists who were treating Diana."- Roy Berko
