Dean's Drama
About
Dear Students,
With great humility, I've always had an innate feeling for helping people. I have 20 years experience in theatre education, not only as a teacher but a writer, director, actor, film historian and most importantly a student. I am confident that I can leverage my skills and experience to the position.
Over the years, I have taught in a variety of settings, among others: Theatre Arts at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory (LAPAC), in which I worked with international students. In addition to working with seniors at the Pasadena Senior Center and eventually developing a senior production. I also worked as a Behavior Interventionalist with children on the spectrum.
I have studied a wide range of acting techniques: Strasberg Method, Meisner Technique, Stella Adler Technique, Checkoff, and many more. In the process of exploring these methods I developed a solid foundation and methodology in performing arts. I have studied with Tim Robbins (Academy Award Mystic River), Bobby Moresco (Academy Award Crash), Lou Diamond Phillips (Stand and Deliver) and Robert Allen Ackerman (who has directed Al Pacino in Salome and God Looked Away); all these have helped me developed a deeper understanding of Theatre Arts.
As part of my teaching experience, I have also designed rubrics, syllabuses and have developed various lesson plans. Additionally, I have directed scenes and plays and conducted Drama and Film History workshops. I am also capable of teaching poetry, history, and writing.
In addition to my teaching experience and with respect to my career in the arts. I wrote and performed a one man show Rebel With a Cause - The Sal Mineo Story that subsequently made its way Off Broadway. I truly believe that all these opportunities have enabled me to showcase my leadership skills, adaptability, and organizational abilities.
For your reference, here are some brief descriptions of some of the workshops I have conducted:
“Sanford Meisner Workshop”:
• Imaginary circumstances:
Actors are encouraged to create Actors Faith, the ability to trick one’s imagination to fully believe in the framework the playwright has created is the actor’s reality.
• Improvisational nature:
Improvisation games to develop relationships within the characters. That will give the actor a sense of freedom, behavior, spontaneity and truthful behavior in the moment.
• Scene study:
Actors are interpreters, students will break down the text and subtext into beats, which are emotional entrances and exits within the scene. apply the principles to scene work from plays or films, focusing on listening and being present and reacting organically to their partner.
"The repetition exercise":
• Repeating phrases like "You have a red shirt" back and forth, gradually shifting focus to eliminate anticipation from ones acting giving the students a sense of public solitude that will harness the student’s emotional quotient
"Independent activity":
• Performing a physical activity while developing their imagination and maintaining focus on the scene partner and responding to their subtle impulses .
• Creative Writing exercises, topics that will evoke concentration and emotion. For example, what's your biggest fear?! When was the last time you cried?! What's the most embarrassing moment you've experienced etc.
"Emotional preparation":
• Using imagination through various exercises access to evoke specific emotions within the context of the scene.
I firmly believe that my overall experience with a diverse set of disciplines will bring a valuable perspective to the classroom. My hope is to inspire the student’s evolution and verisimilitude in the arts. I possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, I profoundly believe in the power of education to foster confidence, coupled with collaboration and empathy among students, I am committed to nurturing these qualities in each and every student. Thank you for your consideration. Should you need any additional materials I'll be more than happy to provide them upon request.
With Gratitude,
Dean Ghaffari