JIM BRAY
Actor, Director, Instructor, Intimacy Direction
*See CV for more detailed descriptions
August 2021- Present
Aug. 2018 - Aug. 2021
Acting, Acting Studio, Sanford Meisner Approach, Michael Chekhov, Viewpoints, Acting Styles, Movement for the Actor, Script Analysis
Meisner and Michael Chekhov Intensive, Scene Study
Teacher Certification Program for Meisner Approach
Associate Director, ECU School of Theatre and Dance
Theatre UNI
Director, Conception
Film
Conceived and directed by Jim Bray
Dream With ME is 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 a generation's response to 2020 as well as how societal inequalities have impacted our community and student life.
Associate Director
Weathervane Theatre
Director, Intimacy Director
Theatre UNI
Jim stars as Older Jules/Father @ Dobama Theatre
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jay Turvey and Paul Sportelli
directed by Matthew Wright
music directed by Matthew Dolan
- an exploration of representation in American Musical Theatre
Conceived and Co-Directed by Jim Bray and Amy Osatinski
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.
Conceived and choreographed by Jim Bray and Caroline Henry with direction by Jim Bray
Period Movement @ Theatre UNI
Legacy of Light runs February 21st- March 3rd and is directed by Amy S. Osatinski
Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine
2019 Cleveland Critics Awards
Congratulations to the cast of , Porthouse Theatre on their acknowledgement for "Superior Achievement in a Musical Theatre Production"!
https://www.kent.edu/porthouse/news/porthouse-theatres-2018-season-recognized-annual-critics-awards
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.
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.
"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 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
"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."
"I have never worked with a more hands-on, caring, and imaginative director. I hope I get the chance to do so again." |
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Reviews
"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
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
" 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
"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
"…“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
"Also notable are Sue Mathys and Jim Bray as Kitty Hawk and Tick Tock, who make two melodramatically funny villains."- Andy Propst, TheatreMania.com
" 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
"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
"...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
“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
by Doug Wright
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