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    • HOME
    • EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
    • PROJECTS/NEWS
    • Sanford Meisner
    • RESUME
    • RESEARCH & FEEDBACK
    • SIGHTS & SOUNDS
    • REVIEWS
    • CONTACT

            

    • HOME
    • EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
    • PROJECTS/NEWS
    • Sanford Meisner
    • RESUME
    • RESEARCH & FEEDBACK
    • SIGHTS & SOUNDS
    • REVIEWS
    • CONTACT
    • …  
      • HOME
      • EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
      • PROJECTS/NEWS
      • Sanford Meisner
      • RESUME
      • RESEARCH & FEEDBACK
      • SIGHTS & SOUNDS
      • REVIEWS
      • CONTACT

              

      •  

         

         

        JIM BRAY

         

         

        Actor, Director, Instructor, Intimacy Direction

         

         

         

         

         

         

      • Teaching Experience & Education*

         

        *See CV for more detailed descriptions

        East Carolina University

        Assistant Teaching Professor for Professional Acting

        August 2021- Present

        University of Northern Iowa

        Assistant Professor of Theatre, Acting

        Aug. 2018 - Aug. 2021

        Acting, Acting Studio, Sanford Meisner Approach, Michael Chekhov, Viewpoints, Acting Styles, Movement for the Actor, Script Analysis

        Stephens College Conservatory for Performing Arts

        Summer Performing Arts Intensive

        Meisner and Michael Chekhov Intensive, Scene Study

         

        Theatre Cedar Rapids

        Instructor of Adult Acting: Foundations 

        Spring 2019 

         

        Kent State University, MFA Acting

         

         

        True Acting Institute Graduate

        Teacher Certification Program for Meisner Approach

        East Carolina University

        BFA in Musical Theatre

        2 year Sanford Meisner Approach

      • Projects/News

        Last Stop on Market Street

        Associate Director, ECU School of Theatre and Dance

         

        Cinderella

        Director, Intimacy Director

        Theatre UNI

        Dream With Me

        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.

        Kinky Boots

        Associate Director

        Weathervane Theatre

        image courtesy of stageagent.com

        You Can't Take it with You

        Director, Intimacy Director

        Theatre UNI

         

        https://theatre.uni.edu/theatre-uni/you-cant-take-it-you

        image courtesy of stageagent.com

        33 1/3: A New Musical 

        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

         

        http://www.dobama.org/331-3

        "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do...?"

        - 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.

        image courtesy of stageagent.com

        I Rise: A performance piece celebrating

        Black History

        Conceived and choreographed by Jim Bray and Caroline Henry with direction by Jim Bray

        Legacy of Light

        Period Movement @ Theatre UNI

        Legacy of Light runs February 21st- March 3rd and is directed by Amy S. Osatinski

        https://theatre.uni.edu/theatre-uni/legacy-light

        Next to Normal

        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"!

        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

        Panther Builders Commercial

         

        Viewpoints Masterclass with Anne Bogart @ SITI Company

        NYC

         

        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.

      • Jim Bray as The Boss in Sideshow

        "Play the moment, not the story."- Sanford Meisner

         

      • Jim Bray as Macbeth in Macbeth

         

      • Research & Feedback

        CV/Resume

        Click Here

        Linked In

        Click here

        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.

        Pictured: Art of Theatre, 2017

         

        "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. "

        Pictured: Musical Theatre III, 2016

        " 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."

         

        Pictured: Meisner, 2018

        "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."

        Pictured: Meisner, 2018

        "Jim Bray is an absolute professional who is knowledgeable and open-minded. Best professor, bar none!"

        "Class activities were VERY helpful to my acting process and growth as an actor."

        ATHE Conference Presentation, 2020

        MTS wins Most Promising New Student Organization, April 2020

        http://www.facebook.com/mtsociety.uni/

        "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 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."

        "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."

         

        "Professor Bray not only teaches what it means to be an actor but he also models it."

      • Sights & Sounds

        Anne Bogart and Jim
        Macbeth
        Macbeth with Jenn Hemphill
        Sister Act
        Lady in the Long Black Dress- Sister Act
        Bus Stop
        Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance Banquet 2017
        Young Frankenstein
        Young Frankenstein- Forestburgh Playhouse
        Man of La Mancha with Kevin Loreque
        Laughter on the 23rd Floor
        Show more
      • Reviews

        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

        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

        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

        https://www.morningjournal.com/news/ohio/porthouse-s-marvelous-next-to-normal-is-everything-but-entertaining/article_853bc9fb-db7f-5b8a-86b5-abe9431ee4e1.html

        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

        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

         

        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

        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

        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

         

        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

        https://www.facebook.com/kentstatetheatredance/photos/pcb.10154690227053057/10154690223403057/?type=3

        NEXT TO NORMAL

        "Jim Bray gave nicely textured performances as both psychiatrists who were treating Diana."- Roy Berko broadwayworld.com

      •  

        Contact

         

         

        jimbrayonline@gmail.com

      © 2019

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