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MICHAEL THOMAS WALKER

CV

EDUCATION

Master of Fine Arts-Acting

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; 2012

Bachelor of Arts-Theatre

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL; 2003

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

University of Montevallo

Assistant Professor of Acting and Voice (Tenure Track)

Montevallo, AL (2015-Present)

            ACTING I FOR MAJORS

            Primary Instructor

The course explores the study and practice of basic principles of realistic    acting as outlined by Stanislavski. Students integrate course work with games, Hagen Object exercises, and text work culminating in the performance of two monologues.

VOICE I

Primary Instructor

This exploration of vocal production for the theatre course utilizes Kristin Linklater’s and Catherine Fitzmaurice’s methods as its foundation. Students develop their voice through exploration and increase their appetite for vocal production by releasing tension, connecting to breath, and opening the actor’s natural resonance.

INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE

Primary Instructor

Students develop skills in discussing and interpreting the language of theatre, which involves a variety of symbol systems including verbal text, visual

imagery, color, line, lighting, etc. In addition, students will gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and human behavior by exploring how theatre is created within a larger cultural and social context.

DIRECTING I

            Primary Instructor

This introduction to modern directing theory and strategies, includes script analysis, casting and rehearsal techniques, conceptual perspectives, and staging methods.

VOICE II

Primary Instructor

Course objective is to gain a proficiency in use of the International Phonetic Alphabet and it’s application to text.  Students will acquire the tools, skills, resources, and processes of learning accents and dialects.

ACTING III

            Primary Instructor

This course focuses on language-based study and practice of acting styles and the research tools available to actors. Work centers on Shakespeare and Restoration Comedy.

ACTING FOR THE CAMERA

Primary Instructor

This course gives students the tools necessary to transition and adapt from acting for the stage, to acting for the screen through mock audition situations.  Students used playback to develop their skills and evaluate their performances.

DIRECTING III

Primary Instructor

This course provides an intense study of directing styles from various periods and theatrical movements.  The course culminates in a One-Act Theatre Festival. 

Nassau Community College

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Garden City, NY (2012-2014)

            BASIC ACTING I FOR MAJORS AND MINORS

            Primary Instructor

The course explores the study and practice of basic principles of realistic    acting as outlined by Sanford Meisner. Students integrate course work into games, exercises, and text work.

Guest Lecturer

Rutgers University

New Brunswick, NJ (2013-2014)

            VOICE

            Primary Instructor

Guest Lecturer for Dr. Heather Rasche and Deputy Chair, Barbara Marchant. Taught voice for the actor using the Fitzmaurice sequence, Shakespeare sonnet exercises, and various other exercises including a singing workshop for actors preparing for auditions.

Rutgers University

Graduate Teaching Assistant

New Brunswick, NJ (2009-2012)

            BASIC ACTING I FOR MAJORS AND MINORS

            Primary Instructor

            The course explores the study and practice of basic principles of realistic    acting, voice, and movement as outlined by Uta Hagen. Determine ability to integrate these principles into games, exercises, and introductory text.

           BASIC ACTING II FOR MAJORS AND MINORS

            Primary Instructor

This course continued the tenets of Basic Acting I through contact work and scripted work to build the student’s facility to truthfully respond to imaginary circumstances.  Students are introduced to action/objective work and basic text analysis.

            SPEECH I

            Teaching Assistant

An introductory course which explores the basic principles of the Knight –Thompson Speechwork.

GRANTS

National Performance Network-Currently in Development

National Theatre Creation and Touring Grant-Currently in development

Grant supports the development of the project, costs and incentives needed to establish a plan for touring, and subsidies for presentation of the work. The funding is being used to create a devised theatre piece aboutthe #blacklivesmatter movement and the death of Michael Brown in conjunction with The Black Rep of St. Louis and 651 Arts.

National Performance Network

Forth Fund Grant  

 Building upon the NPN Creation Fund Grant, the Forth Fund Grant supports the development of newly commissioned performance work by                 providing resources, such as time, space and expertise, to artists and commissioning organizations to improve the overall quality of production of touring performance work in the United States and abroad.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Voice, Andrea Haring-The Linklater Center

New York, NY (2018)

Voice and text workshop that explores how to free the natural voice and release vocal tension

On Camera Audition Technique, Paul Davis-Calleri Casting

New York, NY (2014)

Techniques on how to audition for On-Camera Film and Television.

Cold Reading Technique, Heidi Griffiths-Public Theater

New York, NY (2013)

A how-to guide to making smart and bold choices during a cold-read audition.

On Camera Technique, Matt Lawler

New York, NY (2012)

Techniques and tips on how to audition for On-Camera Commercials

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (2009-2012)

-ACTING

Meisner-Deborah Hedwall

Hagen-Billy Carden

Chekhov-Pam Berlin, Billy Carden

On-Camera-Pat McCorkle, Billy Serow

Script Analysis-David Letwin

Shakespeare-Tim Carroll, Dennis Turney

-DIRECTING

Amy Saltz

-MOVEMENT

Williamson-Jan Leys

Michael Chekhov-Lenard Petit, Michael Blake

-SHAKESPEARE

Dennis Turney

Tim Carroll

-STAGE COMBAT

J. Allen Suddeth

-VOICE

Fitzmaurice-Heather Rasche

-SPEECH

Knight/Thompson-Jane Guyer, Eric Singer

MISCELLANEOUS

Dramatic Literature-Lee Blessing

Theatre History-Eileen Blumenthal

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Broadway World Denver Award

Best Director of a Play-God Of Carnage-201

NPR-Stories From the South

Performed selection from solo show BUBBA for NPR show in Little Rock, AR.

United Solo Theater Festival

Best Variety Show Award-BUBBA (Written and performed by Michael Thomas Walker)

Wildacres Residency Program

Recipient of the 2014 Wildacres Playwriting Residency which affords artists the solitude and inspiration needed to work on a new or current project.

Millay Colony for the Arts

Finalist for the summer playwriting residency

Planet Connections Festivity

Outstanding Solo Performance Award-BUBBA

Rutgers University

Phillip J. Levin Scholarship

Teaching Assistantship 2010-2012

Examiner’s Award for Excellence for Unarmed Stage Combat by David Brimmer

Off Off Broadway Review Award

Best Actor for The Mystery of Edwin Drood

University of Alabama

Marian Galloway Award for Distinguished Excellence in Undergraduate Acting, May 2001

Alan Bales Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Department of Theatre and Dance, May 2002

Department of Theatre and Dance Scholarship

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Associate Member (2018-Present)

Voice and Speech Trainers Association (2014-Present)

Actors Equity Association (2008-Present)

Screen Actors Guild (2012-Present)

Dramatists’ Guild (2012-Present)

Theatre Communications Group (2009-Present)

Resident Company Member of New Light Theatre Project (2012-Present)

Alabama Conference of Theatre and Speech (1999-2003, 2014-Present)

Southeastern Theatre Conference (1999-2005, 2014-Present)

Society of American Fight Directors (2000-Present)

SERVICE

Committee Member, Admissions Committee (2016-2017) University of Montevallo

Committee Member, College Night Committee (2017) University of Montevallo

Artistic Associate, New Light Theatre Project

Student Representative, (2012) Rutgers University

President, Alpha Psi Omega (2003) University of Alabama