Download DENNIS W. GLEASON Director * 605

DENNIS W. GLEASON
Director *
[email protected]
*Associate Member of Stage Directors & Choreographers Society
605-877-2366
(selected Directing credits; won 4 Outstanding Director Awards & 11 Outstanding Production Awards)
OFF BROADWAY & OFF- OFF BROADWAY
Douglas FairbanksTheatre. NYC
An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein
St. Mark’s Theatre, NYC
An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein
Bleecker Street Theatre, NYC
The Glass Menagerie, Good Nite Lovin’ Trail (world
premiere), Passion, The Owl & The Pussycat, Sunday on the Rocks
Wings Theatre, Theatre for the New City, Actor’s Playground, Creative Artists Playground, Downeast Arts Center,
Riant Theatre, Michael Chekhov Theatre, Mansion Theatre, Producers Club, Theatre-Studio Inc, Rising Sun
Performance Company, Astoria Performing Arts Center
41 Original plays including 11 world premieres
REGIONAL /COMMUNITY THEATRE
Mathews Opera House/Spearfish Arts Center, SD
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Black Hills Community Theatre, SD
Almost Maine, Lost in Yonkers, Tuesdays with Morrie,
Doubt, The Fantasticks
Strauss Theatre Center, LA
Always Patsy Cline, Baby, Beauty & the Beast, Misery,
Footloose, It’s A Wonderful Life, Plaid Tidings, Oscar & Felix, Smoke on the Mountain, Steel Magnolias, Six Dance
Lesson in Six Weeks, Streetcar Named Desire, The Sunshine Boys, Sugar , You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown
Pinewood Dinner Theatre/Northern Lights Playhouse, WI A Christmas Carol More or Less, Just Desserts
Spartanburg Little Theatre, SC
Crimes of the Heart, Hollywood Arms, Into the Woods
Act Now! Theatre Company, CA
Sylvia
Broadway West, CA
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Altarena Playhouse, CA
Jake’s Women, Lend Me a Tenor, Sound of Music
The Little Theatre, CA
Biloxi Blues, Broadway Bound, Nunsense; The Musical
Comedy Murders of 1940, Don’t Drink the Water
Contra Costa Civic Theatre, CA
How to Succeed in Business, On Golden Pond
Stage One Theatre, CA
Blithe Spirit, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Children of a Lesser
God, Deathtrap, I Hate Hamlet, Noises Off, Rumors, The 1940s Radio Hour
Masquers Playhouse, CA
Driving Miss Daisy
Chanticleers Theatre, CA
Foxfire, Same Time Next Year, Stepping Out, Working
Cabaret Theatre, CA
Meet Me in St. Louis, What I Did Last Summer
West of Broadway, CA
Gypsy
EDUCATIONAL DIRECTING
South Dakota School of Mines & Tech, SD
University of Louisiana, Monroe, LA
Fordham University, NY
Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Camp
EDUCATION
MFA
MA
Directing
Speech Communication
The Bomb-itty of Errors, Last Train to Nibroc
Prelude to a Kiss
The Wild Party
Stepping Out
Actors Studio Drama School, NYC
California State University, Hayward
THEATRE TEACHING
Instructor - University of Louisiana, Monroe
Beginning Acting, Intermediate Acting, Play Reading
Instructor- Louisiana Delta Community College & Neville High School Theatre Appreciation
Instructor- Diablo Valley College, CA
Performance of Literature
Instructor- Chabot College and CSU, East Bay, CA
Readers Theatre, Forensics, Interpersonal
Communication, Public Speaking
Instructor- Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Camp, NY Improv, Basic Acting, Voice, Audition
Private Acting Coach
Scene/Monologue Study, Character/Script Analysis
RELATED WORK
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Managing Director – Northern Lights Playhouse/Pinewood Dinner Theatre, WI
Artistic Director– Strauss Theatre Center, LA; Act Now! Theatre Co, CA; Chanticleers Theatre, CA
AWARDS AND HONORS
“Outstanding Director” Awards
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Stage One Awards: Deathtrap, I Hate Hamlet, Rumors, Noises Off
“Outstanding Production” Awards
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Christopher Awards: Beauty & The Beast, Sugar, Don’t Dress For Dinner
Chanticleers Awards: You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown
Felix Awards: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Hyacinth Awards: Free to Be You and Me
Little Theatre Awards: Nunsense
Stage One Awards: I Hate Hamlet, Rumors, Noises Off, Sugar
REVIEWS
Into The Woods “This is the best and most satisfying production I have ever seen at the Little Theatre. Dennis
Gleason’s handling of stage movement, groupings, pacing and characterization were first rate. A hearty well done
for the ability to shepherd the theatre to a new level of professionalism and artistic quality.” Arts Partnership
Nunsense “Proved to be the most enjoyment I’ve had in any theatre in the past five years, bar none. I have long
been an admirer of Dennis Gleason’s directorial efforts but he and his marvelous cast have outdone themselves
and have set a standard against which all other theatre companies might be judged.” The San Leandro Register
Sound of Music “Director Dennis Gleason has staged the show remarkably.” Oakland Tribune. A must see for the
entire family. Gleason is evidently a master of arena seating; every seat in the house is a good one” Alameda
Journal.
Noises Off “It is the farce to end all farces, so complex it could wind up a disaster but Stage One theatre pulls it off
triumphantly under Dennis Gleason’s direction. Castro Valley Forum “Director Dennis Gleason knows his stuff.”
The Argus
Rumors “Stage One’s production of Simon’s only farce is four star entertainment and here’s why: the director.
Dennis Gleason is excellent at getting the best out of his actors.” The Argus
Lend Me A Tenor “Dennis Gleason, directing for the first time at Altarena, can be given only one suggestion: Come
Back. Gleason’s directing is done with professionalism and style. It is difficult to find a flaw in the production.”
Alameda Journal
What I Did Last Summer “Gleason brings great theatrical experience to the local scene. The acting level is so good
that this reviewer would recommend it to be used as an example to local high school & college drama students.”
Alameda Journal
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest “Dennis Gleason’s tight and on target direction has much to do with the play’s
success. Fast paced, creative ensemble acting makes this electrifying theatre.” The Argus
The Homecoming “Gleason has done a superlative job in directing the show to a suspenseful conclusion that
extracts the very best out of every member of the cast. Well worth the trip.” Rossmoor News
Foxfire “Dennis Gleason directed the play and his ability to extract nuances of character from his players is evident
in each scene. “San Leandro Register “This production owes much of its charm to its fine director Dennis Gleason.”
San Ramon Valley Times
Lettice And Lovage “Lettice And Lovage reflects Dennis Gleason’s excellent directing. Performances shine with
strong, well developed characters. Their comedic timing and their British accents are impeccable.” Times Herald
On Golden Pond “The production directed by Dennis Gleason flowed seamlessly.” Contra Costa Times “Director
Gleason accentuates the play’s humor without losing its emotional moments. Flawlessly cast.” Oakland Tribune
Because Their Hearts Were Pure “This is an excellent example of what theatre is all about. Under the direction of
Dennis Gleason, a delightful cast has pulled together a fun show. Their expressions, timing and characterizations
are marvelous.” Rossmoor News
An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein “Dennis Gleason’s direction yielded a number of excellent performances. A
fun and often hilarious production featuring some excellent slapstick action.” Online Off-Broadway Review
RECOMMENDATIONS
“As an acting coach, he is one of the best. He really gets to the heart of the script and each character. He
challenges actors to find the character in himself, trust the author’s lines and to listen carefully to each other on
stage. I was always surprised by the fact that he could lift from the script nuances that added to the richness of the
piece. He treats each actor with respect.” Brenda Rowan, President, Strauss Theatre Center
“He is a phenomenal director with a wealth of experience. He has a painstakingly approach to the rehearsal
process that still allows the artist a wide berth where character development is concerned. I have spent a lifetime
in the theatre and Mr. Gleason ranks in the top 5% of all my directors. His question and answer approach to his
style of directing is expeditious and beneficial to the actors. He is one of the most talented directors I have ever
worked with.” Shirlene K. Joseph, Head Speech & Debate Coach, English Instructor
“I have collaborated with Dennis as choreographer to his director position on several projects. He is always clear
about his directorial vision but invites collaboration and artistic participation from his production team. He
demonstrates great respect for the art form, his colleagues, and is a tireless worker. He has always remained
dignified and positive. Robin Stephens, Director of Dance, ULM
“In every production he’s been involved in, Dennis has provided leadership and technical knowhow, support for his
actors and artistic integrity and style. His productions have been artistic and critical successes. I heartily
recommend him for any position as Director or Artistic Director.” Irv Siegel, Managing Director, Act Now!
“I witnessed him working with all age groups and he managed to get the best out of people. Dennis was energetic
and innovative in his approach to get persons to stretch themselves as actors. I found him to be particularly fun to
work with as his sense of humor got us through many trying times, especially when faced with the dichotomy
between new actors and seasoned actors. I was fortunate to be his Stage Manager and Assistant Director and I
learned so much from him. Mary Stein, Board Member, BHCT
“I have been delighted to work with Dennis on several levels when he directed Spelling Bee and I designed sets,
lights and acted in the show. Dennis’s direction was outstanding and the cast took well to it. Dennis has an
approachable style allowing artists to have input. As a designer Dennis is able to articulate his needs without
dampening the design process. He is always a teacher! Michael Burgraff, Executive Director, Center For The Arts