Michael Barr

Theatre instructor spanning over 20 years with numerous theatre companies, schools, colleges, and non-profit organizations. Teaching positions include Education Director, Head of Drama, Adjust Professor, Theatre Teaching Artist, and Substitute Teacher. Additional theatre experience includes theatre administration, acting, and directing.

Education Director Positions

Theatre Lunatico, Berkeley, CA

Education Director

2019-Present

Design and lead workshops for working adult actors covering such topics as audition technique, scene study, and script analysis
Dramaturg and vocal coach for company’s modern and classical productions
Direct and produce main stage shows and staged readings

Lead warm up exercises for company rehearsals, and lead auditions and casting decisions
Nurture a community of theatre professionals, and form relationships with technical artists and patrons

St. Vincent De Paul High School, Petaluma, CA

Head of Drama Department

2006-2014

Led and managed the Drama Department, along with directing over 16 full length productions (drama and musicals), and managing all technical aspects
Developed and taught a three-tiered curriculum for the department, spanning a broad range of experience levels, techniques, and subjects, including: beginning level classes encompassing introductions to dramatic theory and history, breath technique, group exercises, Shakespeare, and ensemble building; intermediate classes focused on comprehensive technique study (e.g., Stanislavski, Brook); advanced classes continuing comprehensive technique study (e.g., Grotowski, Adler, Hagen) Revitalized and doubled the budget for the Drama Program in first year of employment through fundraisers and showcases and increased enrollment in department by 65%

Commended as a successful instructor and director by parents, faculty, and students
Raised performance expectations; organized public presentations of students’ work with challenging pieces of dramatic literature
Secured grants from Petaluma Education Foundation to purchase new lights and sound equipment and sought out by students and counselors to furnish college letters of recommendation

Napa Valley Repertory Theatre, Napa, CA

Education Director

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2002-2005

Personally selected to create and establish the theatre education program, forming a new addition to the company
Independently organized programs on all levels, designed courses, identified, and secured performance and class locations, while maintaining continuous direct communication with parents and company leaders

Created original curriculum covering theatre history, technique, group exercises, and development of trust in performance, for classes of 19-29 students ranging between 13-18 years old
Directed student showcases of scenes and support community relationships with Napa High School and the Napa Valley Opera House

Expanded the program and increased enrollment and attendance by 60%
Commended by staff, parents, and students, while raising performance expectations with celebrated student presentations and showcases

Adjunct Professor Positions

Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA, 2018-2019 Ohlone College, Fremont, CA, 2016-2017 Adjunct Instructor

Courses: Introduction to Acting and Introduction to Theatre (Lecture and Lab)

Created and delivered curriculum for introductory theatre courses.

Curriculum included representative works such as Fences by August Wilson, Yellowface by David Henry Hwang, and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Highlighted theatre's relationship to various cultures throughout history and on the contributions of significant artists.

Facilitated lectures and activities to teach elements of the production process including playwriting, acting, directing, design, and criticism.
Students surveyed different periods, styles and genres of theatre through play reading, discussion, films and viewing and critiquing live theatre, including required attendance of theatre community productions. Engaged with students from a wide range of backgrounds on the universality of theatre.

Facilitated discussions about diversity and representation in theatre.

High ranks in student and performance evaluations
Lauded as an engaging, inclusive, and participatory instructor, and described as consistently holding students’ attention and interest.

Theatre Teaching Artist Positions

Quinan Street Project, Pinole, CA

De Jean Middle School

Theatre Teaching Artist

2019, 5 Month Contract

Created and implemented lessons on how to translate fictional prose to the stage
Applied engagement strategies while actively connecting lessons to students' lives and experiences Empowered student voices, and encouraged creative expression

California Shakespeare Theater, Berkeley, CA Shakespeare Summer Camp and Skyline High School Theatre Teaching Artist
2016-2017 and 2019

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Designed curriculum for beginning acting, improvisation, and classical theater classes for 10-18 yr. old age groups
Adapted and directed performances of tragedy and comedy classics
Performances and classes were well reviewed by parents, students, and administrators

Word for Word Theatre Company, San Francisco, CA Francisco Middle School and Mill Valley Middle School Theatre Teaching Artist
2017-2018

Designed curriculum for English Language Learner (ELL) students
Led workshops on performing poetry and short stories for students between 11-14 yrs. old, with an emphasis on productive language
Adapted and directed staged performances based on representative poetry works, including those from Langston Hughes and Emily Dickinson

Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley, CA

Theatre Teaching Artist

2012-2016

Designed and taught multi-tiered curricula with a focus on beginning level acting exercises, improvisation, and script development
Created curricula using student-centered learning techniques for multiple age groups spanning a wide range of approaches and styles
Taught improvisation with a focus on team building, and theatrical principles
Led workshops in improvisation, Shakespearean acting techniques, scanning and speaking verse, constructing character, and developing style

Berkeley Repertory School of Theatre, Berkeley, CA

Teaching Artist

2008-2009, 2012-2014

Lead workshops based on solo storytelling, building characters, and improvisation throughout SF Bay Area schools
Coached and guided students with developing final class projects
Co-facilitated classes, lead exercises, and supplemented preparation tasks for subsequent classes

StageWrite, San Francisco, CA

Teaching Artist

2012, 4 Month Contract

Implemented lessons for age group 12-14 yrs. on how to translate play writing to the stage
Established an inclusive learning environment and considered the backgrounds and interests of students. Mentored students by encouraging critical, creative, and expressive thinking.

Willows Theatre Youth Conservatory, Concord, CA

Teaching Artist

2007, 7 Month Contract

Designed curriculum covering classical theater, management of text, speech, character development for 12-18 yrs. old age group
Students successfully grasped Shakespearean works and style
Directed student showcases, and received excellent evaluations from parents, faculty, and students

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Commended for being an engaging and inclusive instructor

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, San Francisco, CA

Teaching Artist

2004-2006

Led series of classes for students 7-15 yrs. old
Adapted Shakespeare plays for students to study and perform
Chosen by company to direct various short adaptations of Shakespeare plays
Recognized as a successful instructor and director of high quality presentations
Personally sought by parents to furnish letters of recommendation for performance art school admissions

Substitute Teaching Experience

Marin County Office of Education, San Rafael, CA, 2015-2019 Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Concord, CA, 2002-2006

Effectively carry out lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high school classes Repeatedly and personally requested and recommended by teachers

Theatre Administrative Roles

Ohlone High School Theatre Festivals, Fremont, CA

Theatre Judge

2016-2019

Invited and selected to join evaluation panel
Evaluated and critiqued performances in competitive theatre festivals in the following disciplines: classical dramatic monologues (women); classical comedic monologues (men); contemporary comedic monologues (men and women); classical dramatic scenes; classical comedic scenes

Porchlight Theatre Company, Ross, CA

Liaison to Actor’s Equity Association

2012-2013

Chief liaison between the theater and the union in the procuring and filing of contracts and paying of pension and health contributions
Executed all union contracts, pension, health weekly reports, and other required paperwork related to the employment of Equity actors

EDUCATION/TRAINING

George Washington University-MFA, Theatre
College of Sante Fe-BFA, Honors
Moscow Art Theatre School: Stanislavski Theatre Training
Society of American Fight Directors Certifications: Dagger, Longsword, Rapier/Dagger, Single Sword, and Unarmed