Some Words
From directors and students
“You brought such enthusiasm and insight with you into the classroom!”
– Sarah Brenner, Acting ’12
“You always made the days in class a lesson, even when you were goofing around and you made me want to keep learning. You made me feel like there was a good reason to pursue this ridiculous profession!” - Elizabeth Hake, MT ’12
“I just want to thank you for your never ending enthusiasm, your positive energy, and passion for helping us grow as individuals and as actors. I couldn't have asked for a better first semester. I have learned SOOO much about myself, about my class, and about the art of acting.” – Tony Vo, Acting ’12
“Thank you for always sharing your passion, positivity, humor and never-ending support. I'm so grateful to have had you as a TA.” – Michelle Lupo, Acting ’12
“Your presence helped create such a beautiful, comfortable, and inspiring experience and atmosphere. Seeing you in ‘The Exonerated’ and then having you as a resource in class was such a blessing. You have knack for giving off such positive, supportive energy, but also giving off an honesty and determination that create the perfect balance to encourages others to WANT to work their a**es off. I think we've all really appreciated the way that you've cared for us the past semester. I know for me there were some times you just listened to me and filled with me with such comfort with your advice and reassurance. Because of the time you invested in me, I felt special and reassured enough to take risks, both inside and outside the classroom. Thank you!!” - Hannah Dubner, Musical Theatre (MT) ’12
"You consistently provided the class with a positive and vivacious energy, and your enthusiasm was indisputably admirable. You helped us to explore the many realms of the imagination, and were an inspiration to us all. I would absolutely love to work with you in the future!"
- Mallory Newbrough, MT ‘12
“Your example in and out of class, you helpfulness, your willingness, your energy and attitude, and your ability to maintain a standing of friend, mentor, and teacher simultaneously is awe-inspiring. Your guidance allowed our class to truly meet each other on a close and intimate level. Thank you for administering a place where that became possible. Words can't describe what your guidance, leadership, and most importantly, friendship, have meant to me.”
- Ned Donovan, MT ’12
During my Senior year at Ithaca College, I served as the Voice and Movement Teaching Assistant for the BFA Acting and Musical Theatre (MT) Class of 2012. For two hours every Friday, I led them on an intensive exploration of the ensemble, their art, and themselves. I utilized exercises ranging from Alexander Technique to Viewpointing, Russian Movement to Big-Booty, and every sacred and/or irreverent thing in between. In doing so, I not only rediscovered my love for the foundations of good theatre, but I think I fell in love with teaching.
I could not wait for the next Friday morning when I would help them to discover joy in the theatre. Before my eyes, and sometimes nudged onward by my open palm, I watched them venture into unknown territories, and emerge as a stronger, more supportive ensemble, smarter artists, and more aware of what their voice, both literal and metaphorical, could sound like in the world.
As seems to be true with teaching, I think I gained more from them than they did from me. They became just as much a part of my personal and artistic identity as anything else I’ve ever accomplished. And so I would like to include their words here as well, as a representation of myself as an artist, a teacher, and as a person.
A note from their TA
“Curious...willing to take risks, and also willing to slow down and get things right... inventive, and charming, and bright.”
- Prof. Catherine Taylor
“Alex is wonderful to work with: as reliable as he is innovative, as confident in his own ideas as he is supportive of others', he meets (and often sets) standards for an Intelligent Actor that are desirable in any creative workplace. (Also, he's a blast to have around.)”
- Jeremy Pickard (Director: Uranus, Venus, Mercury, Conspiracy!)
“Words can not explain what you have done for me this year. I love and appreciate all the wisdom, caring, and kindness that you expressed towards not only me, but to everyone around you.” - Meredith Jane Rogers, Acting ’12
“Through the semester, you have saved me in times that you probably didn't even know. There have been a lot of times I have felt let down by my self, not good enough or just plain annoyed and for some reason, you have always given me words of wisdom and love at those times, and many other times, for that matter. I came into this program knowing it was going to kick my butt and when it did, you reassured me that everything was going to be ok, and for that, I thank you whole-heartedly.” - Priya Ayer, MT ‘12
“The insight you have bestowed upon us about our art has truly been invaluable in every form. I feel blessed to have had such a f***ing kick-a** TA.” - William Boyajin, MT ’12
“You have always brought an incredible amount of positivity and your own energy into the activities we did, and I've always appreciated your enthusiasm. I can definitely admit your "go-getter" attitude about Friday morning stretches kept me going (because God knows I didn't feel like it). You really were one of the most influential guides (as well as a fantastic friend) that I've met. You taught us so much about being ourselves, and never having to feel like acting stupid was, indeed, acting stupid.”
- Katie Peters, MT ’12
“Insightful, committed, professional, diplomatic and respectful ... he sees his obligations and takes them seriously without a need or desire for fanfare ... exceptional in his ability to intellectually grasp ideas and concepts that may be abstract, and apply them in a visceral sense in his work onstage and off ... People like Alex are rare indeed.” - Jeffrey Tangeman (Director: Hedda Gabler)
“Alex is one of the most thorough actors I have had the pleasure to work with. His commitment to research and details rewards the audience ten-fold in his performance. A wonderful actor to work with in any role.”
“Articulate, smart, and witty ... a real pleasure.”
- Prof. Ron Denson
“Alex possesses a rare mix of director-friendly traits: he brings strong, smart, well-informed ideas to his work while still allowing room for directorial input and growth. He takes risks and experiments, and from there he amplifies what works and throws out what doesn't without complaint. He's self-sufficient, creative, and malleable, and it is always a pleasure to work with him.”
In addition to teaching, and giving tours of the Theatre Department to prospective students, Alex was selected as an exemplar student by the School of Humanities and Sciences to speak (in video-form) to prospective students about Ithaca College, specifically the Theatre Department.
Please click on the image to view the video.
