Dennis Henry
Actor, Director, Instructor
ACADEMIC CV
Professional Preparation and Education
MFA in Directing for Stage and Screen
Minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Johnny Carson School for Theatre and Film, University of Nebraska-Lincoln May 2014
BA in Theatre, Emphasis in Performance
School of Theatre, Television and Film at San Diego State University May 2000
Additional Training: Linklater Center for Voice, Neighborhood Playhouse, Society of American Fight Directors
Teaching Experience
University Teaching
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, Allendale, MI Aug. 2016 to May 2019
Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre
THE 151: Acting Process: One Section, 16 students
Topics: Stanislavski method, basics of intention, physical action, given circumstances and
concentration. Vocabulary of acting and expectations for actors in rehearsal
THE 251: Acting Characterization: One Section, 16 students
Topics: Continued exploration of Stanislavski. Advanced Scene Study. Focus on integrating external
acting with the internal
THE 152: Voice for the Actor: Two Sections, 20 Students
Topics: Breathe anatomy, Expanding the breathing cavity, using resonators, Linklater, Laban
THE 454: Advanced Scene Study, One Section
Topics: Intensive Scene Study, Auditioning, Careers in Theatre
THE 460: Directing II: One Section, 6 Students
Topics: Using blocking to tell story, advanced scene analysis, communicating with actors and
designers, directing a short play for public performance
THE 400: Touring Theatre Production, Two sections, 7 students
Topics: rehearsal and performance of Shakespeare, touring to educational venues, using
Shakespeare’s language, performing for a visible audience, challenges of touring
THE 499: Independent Research, One Section, One Student
Topics: Advised advanced student on writing and performance of a One-Person Play
THE 101: Intro to Theatre, Thirteen Sections, 60 students each
Topics: theatre fundamentals, jobs in theatre, types of stages, theatre jargon, history of theatre
and performance, theatre in politics, world theatre, being an informed audience member
THE 161: Theatre Production, Two sections, 30 students each
Topics: exploring professions in theatre, theatre history, fundamentals of theatre jobs, responding to
performance
MAT 300: Music, Art and Theatre in Education, Three Sections, 20 students each
Topics: Fundamentals of using theatre in the elementary classroom, integrating theatre with music
and art in the classroom, drama games
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO Spring 2015
Adjunct Instructor
Intro to Theatre, One Section, 20 Students
Topics: theatre fundamentals, jobs in theatre, types of stages, theatre jargon, history of theatre
and performance, being an informed audience member
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN Fall 2014
Temporary Lecturer
Intro to Theatre, Two sections, 250 students each
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN Fall 2011 to Spring 2014
Grad Teaching Assistant (Instructor)
Play Directing, Three semesters, 11-13 students,
Topics: play analysis, creating stage pictures, blocking, creating show bibles, working with actors, casting
Intro to Theatre, One semester, 100 students
AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTER ON TOUR 2002-04 & 2008-11
Education Coordinator (4yrs)
Teaching Artist (6yrs)
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Taught, developed and supervised creation of interactive workshops and lecture-demos
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Institutions Include: Institutions included: Georgetown University; University of Ottawa; Black Hills State University; Centenary College (LA); St. Lawrence University (NY); University of Vermont; Virginia Union University; Loyola University of Maryland; Murray St. University (KY); Emory & Henry College (VA)
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Sample Topics:
PERFORMANCE: Acting for a Visible Audience; Comedic Stage Violence; Using and Understanding Shakespearean Verse
DIRECTING: Directing Shakespeare via Embedded Stage Directions; Creating Twins on Stage; Approaches to Staging the Final Scene of The Two Gentlemen of Verona
ACADEMIC TOPICS: Friar Lawrence’s Culpability in Romeo and Juliet; Comedy from Wilde to Shakespeare; The Mental State of Hamlet
Teaching at Theatre Camps
Clint Vaughn Young Actors Institute, Louisville, “Acting for the Camera” (Ages 8-16) June 2014
Nebraska State Thespian Festival, “Introduction to Shakespearean Verse” (Ages 14-17) Jan. 2013
ASC Young Company Theatre Camp, “Acting for a Visible Audience” & “Comedic Stage Combat” Summer 09/10
Connecticut Free Shakespeare, Planned and taught entire curriculum for one-week camp (Ages 11-14) Jul 2007
Virginia Shakespeare Festival, Planned and taught entire curriculum for two one-week camps (Ages 8-17) Jul 2005
High School Teaching
San Diego City Schools March 2006 to June 2007
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER (High School), all subjects; long term assignments in American Literature & Economics
Mount Miguel High School, Spring Valley, CA September 1992- May 2000
ASSISTANT SPEECH & DRAMA DIRECTOR
* Taught classes in scene study and acting; directed plays
* Coached students for speech competitions &assisted in administration of comps (NFL, CHSSA, SD/IVSL)
* Instructed students in public speaking, speech writing/delivery and oral interpretation
Publications and Conferences
Publications
An Interview with Luna Gale Director Austin Pendleton, Cleveland Play House Playbill Feb 2016
The Realities of Foster Care in Ohio, Cleveland Play House Playbill Feb 2016
Maude and Ellie Play Chess in Scholars and Poets Look at Queens, Palgrave Macmillan, UK
Edited by Dr. Carole Levin Aug 2015
Gender Confusion, Genocide and the Apocalypse: Directing Moira Buffini’s Silence
Master’s Thesis, Digital Commons at University Nebraska-Lincoln (165 Downloads as of 03//15) April 2014
Professional and Academic Conferences
Blackfriars Conference, Staunton, VA Oct 2019
Sessions Moderated: Early Modern Staging Sessions (3)
Kennedy Center American College Theate Festival, Region 3, Madsison, WI Jan 2019
Workshop Presented: Auditioning for Professional Shakespeare
Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival Conference Oct 2018
Conference Co-Chair
Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival Conference, Grand Rapids, MI Oct. 2014
Paper Presented: “I’m Gonna Pop Some Tags: Teaching Shakespeare Using Pop and Hip-hop Music”
University Film and Video Association Conference, Bozeman, MT Aug 2014
Films Screened: Wingman (producer/director) and Berenice (director/producer/adapted screenplay)
British Graduate Shakespeare Conference, Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK Jun 2013
Paper Presented: “A Case for the Heart in a Pro-Anus World: The King’s Illness in All’s Well That Ends Well”
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Lincoln, NE 2013 & 14
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Ames, IA 2012
Blackfriars Conference, Staunton, VA 2009
Shakespeare Theatre Association of America, Staunton, VA 2003
Professional Theatre Work
Professional Directing
The Knight's Tale (Two Noble Kinsmen) Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Fayetteville, NC Jun 2020
The Santaland Diaries Hoosier Shakes, Marian, IN Dec 2019
As You Like It Pigeon Creek Shakespeare, Grand Rapids, MI Oct 2018
Cymbeline Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Aug 2017
Othello Sweat Tea Shakespeare Jun 2017
Henry IV, parts 1&2 Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Aug 2016
On the Beam Cleveland Play House Oct 2015
Lies, Lies, Lies Cleveland Play House Oct 2015
Headlines Cleveland Play House Oct 2015
Monkeys Random Acts Chicago Aug 2015
The Winter’s Tale Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Jun 2015
Eleemosynary Angels Theatre Company, Lincoln, NE Nov. 2014
Coriolanus Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Co. Jul. 2014
Red Line Stories Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Lincoln, NE Jul. 2013
Boatloads of Shame Masonic Theatre, Staunton, VA, Under St. Mark’s, NYC
Horse Trade Theatre Group, Los Angeles Summer 2009
Las Aventuras de Don Quijote National Theatre for Arts & Education, Bridgeport, CT Sep 2007 & Jan 2008
Shakespeare’s Coming Attractions Excellent Motion Shakespeare Co, San Diego, CA Spring 2007
A Christmas Carol American Shakespeare Center Dec 2003
How Much Does a Grecian Urn? San Francisco Fringe Festival Sep 1998
Professional Directing--Staged Readings
Greetings! by Tom Dudzick Angels Theatre Company, Lincoln, NE Dec. 2014
Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley Angels Theatre Company Oct. 2014
Terminating by Tony Kushner American Shakespeare Center, Staunton, VA Apr. 2010
Professional Assistant Directing
Windy City Playhouse This, dir: Carl Meninger Jul 2016
Cleveland Play House The Comedy of Tenors, dir: Stephen Wadsworth (World Premiere) Oct 2015
Nebraska Repertory Theatre Emma, Director: Catherine Weidner July 2013
American Shakespeare Center Directors: Jim Warren, Ralph Alan Cohen, 2002-2004 & 2009-2011
Joyce Peifer, Colleen Kelley, Fred Nelson
As You Like It, Macbeth, Measure for Measure Jul. 2010-Jun. 2011
All’s Well That Ends Well, Knight of the Burning Pestle, Romeo & Juliet Jul. 2009-Jun. 2010
The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 1 Henry IV Jul. 2003 to Jun. 2004
The Tempest, Coriolanus, Taming of the Shrew Jul. 2002 to Jun. 2003
Asst. Director in Charge of Touring Each Tour: 150 performances over 10-12 months
Maintained the artistic integrity of the performances while on tour
Gave notes to actors and adjusted blocking for each venue
Ran brush-up and put-in rehearsals
Wrote reports on each performance for the artistic director
Professional Producing and Management
ARTISTIC AND DIRECTING FELLOW, Cleveland Play House Jul 2015-Feb 2016
Assistant to Associate Artistic Director and Literary Manager, researcher for Managing Director, new play
reader, season selection committee, directing and assistant directing duties
ASSISTANT PRODUCER, Cleveland Play House Centennial Play Series Oct 2015
PRODUCER, Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s “Destinations Series” Summer 2013
Coordinated all aspects of production of NRT summer performance series
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER, Nebraska Repertory Theatre Summer 2013
COMPANY MANAGER, American Shakespeare Center On Tour 2002-2004 & 2009-2011
Facilitated tour stops with approximately 40 venues per year
Maintained artistic integrity of shows & wrote extensive reports on each venue
Created & implemented daily schedule for troupes of 9-12 actors (including travel/ meals/lodging)
TOUR MANAGER, National Theater for Arts and Education Fall 2005; Fall 2007; Spring 2008
Made contact with 30-50 venues to coordinate touring productions
Made travel arrangements and managed daily schedules for troupes of 8-10 actors
PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Excellent Motion Shakespeare Co. Jan. 2006 to April 2007
Coordinated all aspect of two productions that toured nine venues in CA and AZ
PRODUCER, How Much Does a Grecian Urn?, San Francisco Fringe Festival Fall 1998
Arranged rehearsals, performances & travel from San Diego to San Francisco
Professional Acting **Member, Actor's Equity Association
Representative Plays
Julius Caesar Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Katherine Mayberry 2018
Abundance Angels Theatre Company Judy Hart 2014
God of Carnage Nebraska Repertory Theatre Virginia Smith 2012
Jeeves Intervenes Nebraska Repertory Theatre Doug Finlayson 2012
Macbeth American Shakespeare Center Jim Warren 2011
As You Like It American Shakespeare Center Jim Warren 2011
All’s Well That Ends Well American Shakespeare Center Jim Warren 2010
Knight of the Burning Pestle American Shakespeare Center Jim Warren 2010
Ros. & Guil. Are Dead American Shakespeare Center Jim Warren 2009
The Comedy of Errors American Shakespeare Center *Giles Block 2009
*Master of the Word, Royal Shakespeare CompanyWit North Coast Repertory Theatre David Hay 2007
Romeo and Juliet National Theatre for Arts & Edu. Rebekkah Dunn 2007
Hamlet New Village Arts Theatre Delicia T. Sonnenberg 2006
The Tempest Virginia Shakespeare Festival Christopher Owens 2005
Cyrano de Bergerac National Theater for Arts & Edu. Ellen Lieberman 2005
The Merchant of Venice American Shakespeare Center Murray Ross 2004
Importance of Being Earnest American Shakespeare Center Nick Hutchison 2004
The Tempest American Shakespeare Center Ralph Alan Cohen 2003
University Directing
All in the Timing Indiana University Kokomo Feb 2020
Imaginary Invalid Grand Valley State University Mar 2019
Twelfth Night Grand Valley State University (tour) Nov 2018
Cabaret Grand Valley State University Nov 2017
Good Kids Grand Valley State University Nov 2016
Macbeth Grand Valley State University (tour) Oct 2016
Prometheus Forgotten University of Nebraska-Lincoln May 2014
Silence Kennedy Center ACTF, Region V Jan. 2014
Silence University of Nebraska-Lincoln Oct. 2013
The Pillowman University of Nebraska-Lincoln Sep. 2012
Nobody Puts Debbie in a Corner University of Nebraska-Lincoln Mar. 2012
For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls San Diego State University Mar. 1999
Last Chance Texaco San Diego State University Apr. 1998
The Winged Man San Diego State University Apr. 1997
Coffee and Cigarette Dreams San Diego State University Oct. 1996
Academic Directing
High School Level Directing
American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp Richard III Jul. 2010
The Comedy of Errors Jul. 2009
Virginia Shakespeare Festival Youth Camp Henry V Jul. 2005
Mt. Miguel High School, Spring Valley, CA All My Sons Oct. 1998
A Doll’s House Oct. 1997
Joined at the Head Nov. 1996
Film and Media Directing
Berenice, Director and Producer Short Film, 8 minutes, 2014
Wing Man, Director and Producer Short Film, 7 Minutes, 2013
Digs, Casting Director & Assistant to Director Short Film, 29 Minutes, 2012
Director: Donald Petrie (Miss Congeniality, Grumpy Old Men)
Haunted Temple, Director Radio Commercial, 30 seconds, 2013
Service, Competition and Juries,
Awards and Honors
University Service
Grand Valley State University
Faculty Advisor, Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society 2017-2018
Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival Committee 2016-2019
Advisor to student Performance Studio Series projects 2017-2019
Recruiting and Outreach Events 2016-2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Academic Appeals Committee (Chair) 2012-13 & 2013-14
Graduate Curriculum and Recruitment Committee 2013-14
Guest Artist Committee 2013-14
Recruitment and Outreach Committee 2012-13
Season Selection Committee 2012-13
Awards and Honors
Professional Awards
Oscar Wilde Award Nomination, Best of the Bard, Director, Henry IV 2017
Broadway World Detroit, Best Shakespeare Play Nominee, Henry IV 2017
Broadway World Detroit, Best Shakespeare Play, Nominee, Coriolanus 2015
Grand Valley State University
Recipient, GVSU LGBT Faculty Staff Association Grant for Cabaret 2017
Recipient, Academic and Professional Enrichment Grant for Macbeth International Tour 2016
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Johnny Carson School Faculty Scholarly Activity Travel Grant Sep 2014
Nebby Film Festival, Awarded “Best Direction of a Film” for Wingman May 2013
Recipient, UNL Sharpless Fellowship 2013-14
Recipient, UNL Chancellor’s Fellowship 2011-12 & 2012-13
Recipient, Hixson-Lied College Scholarly Presentation Grant May 2013
Recipient, Hixson-Lied College Creative Activity Grant Nov. 2012 & Jan. 2013
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
Invited Production, Silence, Kennedy Center ACTF, Region V Jan 2014
Certificate of Merit for Directing, Silence, Kennedy Center ACTF, Region V Jan 2014
Society of Directors & Choreographers Scholarship Audition, Regional Finalist Jan 2013
Society of Directors & Choreographers Scholarship Audition, Regional Finalist Jan 2012
San Diego State University
Recognized at Matriculation as “Distinguished in Major,” May 2000
Marion Ross Scholarship for Outstanding Performance May 1999
Mack Owen Scholarship for Most Promising Actor May 1998