Christopher Shaw

Selected academic experience

• Professor of performing arts, Spring 2022—present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

• Assistant professor of theatre practice in acting and directing, 2017–22, University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles
  Served as director for B.F.A. and M.F.A. fully produced play productions: Rehearsal and Performance Practicum. Courses include Introduction to Scene Study, Intermediate Acting I & II, Scene Study & Technique, Intro to Directing, M.F.A. Mask Progression (Advanced Movement).

• Acting instructor, 2019 and 2020, Summer intensive, University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles
  Taught mask work and the Uta Hagen Suite of Exercises.

• Acting instructor and program developer, 2019, high school acting intensive, University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts, Shanghai, China
  Shanghai China pilot summer program: designed and developed the summer program curriculum for a comprehensive acting intensive, and taught mask work and mask performance. Led a successful first summer acting intensive at Shanghai International High School.

• Adjunct professor of acting and directing, 2014–17, California State University Fullerton, Department of Theatre and Dance, Fullerton, CA
  Directed various plays in university theatre production season.

• Adjunct professor of acting and directing, 2012–17, California State University Long Beach, Department of Theatre Arts, Long Beach, CA
  Introduction to Acting, Acting Technique and Scene Study, Advanced Actor's Process. Mask Work: Metaphysical Mask, Neutral Mask, Commedia, Full Character/Expressive Mask, and Libby Appel Mask techniques.

• Director for B.F.A. practicum for rehearsal and performance, 2016, University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles
  Directed Escape from Happiness for the B.F.A. senior class, incorporating actor training techniques and methods from training and applying them in rehearsal and performance. Mentored and collaborated with design students.

Selected directing experience

• Director, Death & The Maiden by Ariel Dorfman, 2020

• Director, Mad Forest by Caryl Churchill, 2019
  Directed Mad Forest for the B.F.A. senior class, incorporating actor training techniques and methods from training and applying them in rehearsal and performance. Mentored and collaborated with design students. Work resulted in an acting award for one student (Recognition and Grant).

• Director, Passion Play by Sarah Rhul, 2017
  Directed Passion Play for the B.F.A. senior class, incorporating actor training techniques and methods from training and applying them in rehearsal and performance. Mentored and collaborated with design students. Work resulted in an acting award for one student (Recognition and Grant).

• Director, Nora (Ingmar Bergman adaptation of "A Doll's House"), 2017

• Director, Escape from Happiness by George F. Walker, 2016
  Directed Escape from Happiness for the B.F.A. senior class, incorporating actor training techniques and methods from training and applying them in rehearsal and performance. Mentored and collaborated with design students. Work resulted in an acting award for one student (Recognition and Grant).

Selected acting experience

• Professional actor, 1998–2022, Los Angeles
  Member of the Pacific Resident Theatre, the Echo Theatre Company, and the Rogue Machine Theatre Company and appeared at the Geffen Playhouse, the Kirk Douglas Theatre, and numerous PRT and Echo Theatre Mainstage productions.

• Professional stage, film, and television actor, 1985–95, New York City
  Worked in regional theatre and top off-Broadway houses, including the Geffen Playhouse, the Kirk Douglas Theatre (Center Theatre Group), Minetta Lane (NYC), Playwrights Horizons (NYC), Circle Rep (NYC), the Public Theatre (NYC), Long Wharf Theatre, Seattle Rep Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Portland Center Stage, and The Kennedy Center.