Instructors
Dr. Joyce Aldridge |
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Joyce Spivey Aldridge is a self-acknowledged third generation teacher whose heart lies in educating others through the transformative power of theatre. Through twenty-three years as an undergraduate theatre professor, Joyce gained a specific expertise in creating theatre from a combined emphasis on theory, history, and practice. Her pedagogical philosophy was developed in classrooms, rehearsal studios, and theater spaces across the nation where she earned multiple teaching awards and citations for excellence in directing and acting. Joyce earned a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado/Boulder where her dissertation emphasis was on identifying national trends in the undergraduate actor’s training. As a result of her extensive studies and professional experiences, Joyce is able to provide comprehensive insights into the myriad of contemporary acting techniques. |
Gabriel Folse |
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Gabriel Folse has been acting and teaching for nearly 2 decades now. He is also a writer, director and producer. He studied film theory with Tom Schatz, cinematography with Roberto Quiroga, and film acting with Edward Dmytryk, to name a few. In 1998, he received a Bronze Award from Worldfest-Flagstaff Film Festival for his short film, In God We Trust, and he directed his first feature film, Guilty, in 2007. He believes life offers a variety of opportunities to create, learn and grow, and the pursuit of one desire will benefit the pursuit of others. His television appearances include WALKER TEXAS RANGER, GIDEON OLIVER, and THE YOUNG RIDERS. Gabe also had a supporting role in Episode Six of INTO THE WEST, a miniseries for TNT. His feature film appearances include MISS CONGENIALITY, A PERFECT WORLD, and WYATT EARP. www.gabrielfolse.com. |
Babs George |
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Babs George founded the State Theatre School of Acting in 1993 and has been the Director since its inception. She is a professional actress and has been a member of SAG and AEA for 30 years. Babs graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Performance from the University of Utah, and an MFA in Classical Acting from The Shakespeare Theatre’s Academy for Classical Acting at The George Washington Univ. She has been awarded the Austin Critics Award, the B. Iden Payne Award, and the Austin Chronicle’s “Best Actor/Actress in Austin” Award. In addition to her extensive stage career, Babs also pursues film, television and commercial work, and recently filmed a recurring role for the ABC series, My Generation. She has been an adjunct instructor in acting for the University of Texas, Texas State, Southwestern University and St. Edward’s University. Ms. George has studied with many prestigious teachers over the years including Uta Hagen, Michael Kahn (Shakespeare Theatre), Ann Bogart (S.I.T.I. Company, Viewpoints and Suzuki), and Tina Packer (Shakespeare & Co.). |
Shana Merlin |
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With over a thousand hours of teaching under her belt, Shana Merlin is one of the most experienced and effective improv teachers in Central Texas, as well as a highly acclaimed performer. She has trained with some of the top teachers in the field of improvisation including Keith Johnstone, creator of TheatreSports; Paul Sills, founder of Second City; Gary Austin, member of The Committee and founder of The Groundlings; and Charna Halpern, founder of Improv Olympic and co-author of Truth in Comedy. Shana founded her own company, Merlin-Works in 2003 to provide custom training, interactive presentations, and comedy shows to businesses and organizations using improvisation. In 2008 she opened the Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation to teach short form game play and narrative long form to improvisers and actors in Austin, TX. Most recently she was awarded "Best Improv Teacher" and "Best Improv Class" and commended for her "Outstanding Contribution to Improv in Austin" by the Austin Improv Collective. [Video] |
Adam Roberts |
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Adam Roberts has served as artistic director, musical director, or choreographer for over ninety productions to date, with choreography credits including two European concert tours. Having taught and coached musical theatre voice and dance styles throughout the country, his students have appeared both on and off-Broadway, in regional theatre and national tours, and on film and network television. Mr. Roberts' Austin credits include productions and/or faculty positions with Austin Children's Theater, Austin Conservatory of Theater (of which he currently serves as Director), Austin Shakespeare, Ballet Austin, the Paramount and State theaters, Theatre at the J, St. Stephen's School, ZACH Theatre, and others. A member of the Austin Critics' Table, he is a contributing writer and arts critic for the Austin Chronicle and is currently authoring a book focused on music analysis for practitioners of musical theatre. Mr. Roberts is also highly active as an interpreter of sacred music, having served as musical director at Calvary United Methodist Church in Tallahassee, Florida, and Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wellsville, Ohio. He holds a Master's degree in Music and the College Teaching Certificate from Florida State University and received undergraduate degrees from Youngstown and Kent State universities. |
Paula Russell |
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Paula Russell is a professional actor and director with over 25 years of teaching experience. She is a member of SAG, Actors Equity and AFTRA. In Austin, Paula is a member of TXMPA, The Alliance, Reel Women, The Austin Film Society and is a founding member of Austin Creative Alliance (formerly ACoT). She has directed at the famed Ensemble Studio Theatre, Cast Theatre, Actors Playhouse and interned by invitation as director-in-training on Taxi, Cheers, WKRP and Newhart under James Brooks, James Burroughs, Will McKenzie, Joan Darling and others. Under Actors Equity, Ms. Russell both performed the lead role and directed the musical, "Always, Patsy Cline." Locally, she has directed two plays at the Long Center's Rollins Theatre. She recently coached two of the lead actors for a film that has been accepted at Sundance. For more visit www.paula-russell.com. |
M.J. Vandivier |
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M.J. Vandivier most recently appeared in Enchanted April (Mrs. Graves), and Always Patsy Cline (Louise) in Austin, TX. Her thirty year television career includes Marijane’s Majicastle and Happy Hollow with KPRC-TV, talk shows including the long-running Wake-up Houston with KHTV and radio and television commercials. Her feature films include Angel Of Light, Paradise Texas and Dot. Her acting roles consist of regional work with Theatre Under the Stars, Houston Music Theater and the Alley Theater. Favorites include Gwendolyn's Easter, A Little Night Music, A...My Name Is Alice, Steel Magnolias, Radio Gals, Follies, The Winslow Boy and Ring Round The Moon. Nationally, she played in Late Arrival Off-Broadway in New York cith where she also studied at the American Theatre Wing. She currently is freelancing as an actress and teacher in both Houston and Austin. [Video] |
Irene White |
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Irene White hails from the great state of Texas where she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. She has studied at the Second City in Chicago and IOWest where she performed with King Ten, White Shorts and The Armando. She also taught long-form improvisation and coached Harold Team Trophy Wife. Here in Austin, she has taught and coached at ColdTowne Theatre. Her Chicago theatre work includes The All-Female Bonanza at Live Bait Theatre and Chamber Music at the Transient Theatre. Her Los Angeles theatre credits include Blue Window, The Women, The Red Coat and her one-woman show Open to the Public. Irene can be seen in lots of commercials and in episodes of Brothers & Sisters, Friends, Will & Grace, and Scrubs. Her recent credits include Carpoolers, Man Stroke Woman and the films Green Hornet and Spy Kids 4. http://irenewhite.com |
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