Mission Statement and Values
The following are the values upon which I base my work ethic, my relationships and my artistic life. They are not in order of priority, but hopefully show an understanding of why I do what I do.
1. I believe in theatre that is graphic and eloquent, visceral and articulate,
provocative and celebratory. I embrace these qualities in my work, and always
endeavor to share them with an audience.
2. I am committed to the unrelenting pursuit of excellence in both process and
product.
3. I believe that art is at the center of any organization. Art unites our initiatives,
guides the community engagement, and ensures our continued success.
4. I believe that inspiring young minds to continue to honor the theatrical traditions
that have been passed down through generations can make the world a better place.
5. I believe in sharing the artistic experience with the entire community by
providing multiple points of entry to the experience. The work must be
accessible to all ages, cultural backgrounds, and economic groups.
6. I believe in company. From the stage to the office, from the workshops to the
boardroom—we must embrace a collaborative and creative environment.
7. I believe that commitment and a generosity of spirit are essential ingredients for
good artistic, management, and business practices.
8. I believe in the sheer joy to be found in making and sharing theatre.
Andrew J. Schwartz
EDUCATION
• National Theatre Conservatory M.F.A. Acting (Denver, CO)
Acting: Adler, Strasberg, Meisner, Hagen, Stanislavski methods taught by Lawrence Hecht, Sabin Epstein, Ashlee Temple
Voice: Fitzmaurice Method – Michael Cobb, Dudley Knight
Movement: Skinner Release Method – Bob Davidson
Directing: Lawrence Hecht
• Pennsylvania State University B.A. Theatre Arts (State College, PA)
Acting: Meisner, Hagen, Stanislavski methods taught by Manuel Duque, Jane Ridley, Cary Libkin
Voice: Linklater Method – Barry Kur
Movement: Viewpoints, Suzuki – Mark Olsen
• Ecole Florent Diplome d’Etudes Theatrales (Paris, France) - 2 year Certificate Program
Directing: Francois Florent
Movement: LeCoq/neutral mask/clown
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Associate Professor of Theatre
Head of Performance
Musical Theatre Coordinator
Auburn University Auburn, AL 36849
August 2020 – present
● Serve department as head of performance and by coordinating the MT program
● Tenured teaching position of acting and scene study within the department’s BFA performance track
● Direct theatrical productions for the university
● Serve on committees and other professional roles
● Courses taught (2020 to present):
Acting 1 (Intro to Acting); BFA Performance Studio I,II,III,IV; Music Theatre Acting; Musical Theatre Rep, Acting II
Assistant Professor of Theatre
Coker University
Hartsville, SC
August 2015 - present
• Tenure-track teaching position; teach and function as head of theatre performance specialization within Coker’s theatre program.
· Direct theatrical productions for the college
· Serve on committees and other professional roles
· Courses taught: (2015 to present):
o THE 156 – Acting 1 (Intro to Acting)
o CC 101 – Coker College 101
o THE 201 – World Dramatic Lit
o THE 235 – Script Analysis
o THE 256 - Acting 2 (Improvisation and Intermediate Scene Study)
o THE 356 – Acting 3 (Classical Text)
o THE 358 – Directing
o THE 321 – Voice and Diction
o THE 294 – Theatrical Movement
o THE 456 – Acting 4 (Advanced Scene Study)
o THE 458 - Directing 2
Head Acting Instructor
Theatre Development Fund
520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 801
New York, NY 10018
October 2013 – November 2014
• Leading workshops for students of all ages in and around the NYC area in acting, movement, and ensemble work.
- Preparing students to see and appreciate Broadway plays with appropriate parallel lesson plans.
- Moderating talkback sessions between Broadway professionals and students.
Instructor
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
1101 13th Street
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 446-4892
Summer session 2009, 2010, 2016
• Ensuring a safe, creative, and controlled classroom for theater students ranging in age from 5 to 17 at the Denver Center Theatre Academy.
• Creating a curriculum specifically designed for each particular level of education and interest including teen classes in Physical Theater, Low Flying Trapeze, Audition Preparation, Scene Study, Monologues, Shakespeare, and Camera work.
• Guiding and directing students in the creation of their own original short musical every two weeks.
Associate Artist
The Aquila Theatre Company
4 Washington Square North
New York, NY 10003
(212) 992-9642
Dates Worked: July 2001 – August 2007
• Leading hundreds of workshops in physical theatre, movement for the stage, mask work and classical text analysis to industry professionals, college theater majors, high school seniors, and middle school students in 45 states over a period of six years.
• Leading pre-show discussions and master classes on stage combat and ensemble building.
• Creating workshop curriculums specifically designed for each particular level of education and interest.
Visiting Instructor
NYU Ensemble Acting Course
Tisch School of the Arts
721 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
Dates Worked: July 2003 – August 2003
• Leading a six week, 16 hour a week intensive course on ensemble building for approximately 20 students.
• The intensive was a four credit course given by New York University to current NYU undergrads as well as industry professionals focusing on physical, vocal, and textual skills and culminating in a final showing of scenes and movement pieces.
Acting Instructor
Cours Florent School of Theatre
Paris, France
September 1999 – June 2000
Job Description:
• Designing a syllabus and creating a curriculum to teach Acting I to undergraduate French students in French.
• Designing a syllabus and creating a curriculum to teach Acting in English to undergraduate French students in English.
• Responsible for creating assignments, grading results, and directing a final presentation.
