KENT BURNHAM

2135 E. Ellis Drive

Tempe, AZ 85282
646-460-3666
kentburnham4@gmail.com
EDUCATION:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Classical Acting
The Shakespeare Theatre/Academy for Classical Acting, George Washington Univ.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre
Hofstra University, NY
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2015-present

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, AZ

Adjunct Professor, Acting 1, Acting 2,
Shakespeare in Performance, Directing
Techniques, and Introduction to Theatre
Introduce students to the fundamental acting techniques of Stanislavski,
Meisner, Uta Hagen, and Stella Adler
Develop and enhance a character's objectives, actions, and obstacles along
with teaching an understanding of heightened text, movement, and imagery
word use
Co-directed The Tempest
Text coach, and fight director for Man of La Mancha
Developing directing techniques for students founded on principals of William
Ball, Harold Clurman, and Peter Brook
Student advising, mentoring, and coaching for KCACTF
Advised directing students on their ten minute play projects
2015-present
Mesa Community College, AZ
Adjunct Professor, Acting 1 and Voice and
Diction
Instruct and direct students in scenes and monologues
Explore movement for the actor based in Viewpoints, Laban, and voice work is
explored through Linklater and Cicely Berry fundamentals
2015-present
Southwest Shakespeare Company, AZ
Associate Artistic Director and Director of
Education and Outreach
Plan, administer, oversee, and direct artistic, educational, and outreach
programming. Budget, contract, and invoice touring shows, workshops,
seminars, student matinees and classes to all schools and centers
Directed professional actors in a seven person production of Romeo and Juliet,
touring to over 20 schools and community centers throughout Arizona
Teaching a weekly Acting Shakespeare class, and the focus is on monologue
work, scansion, imagery use, rhetorical devices, connection to the body, voice
and speech
Play selection, casting, hiring of directors and designers for the upcoming
season

Teach on-site workshops to students and adults and have developed all
education opportunities. Expanding and enhancing the accompanying
educational materials available for in-school workshops, study guides,
programming and student matinee performances, including scheduled talkbacks and back stage tours
Integrating the annual Shakespeare Thespian Competition and Arizona Thespian
Festival with educational programming. Creating, maintaining, and developing
a database of participating schools in the region that includes a consistent
email communication system, increasing school administration participation in
programming, and enhancing outreach
Responsible for educational grants and proposals along with connecting to
failing schools to partner in the Shakespeare in the Schools program
2015-present
Grand Canyon University, AZ
Adjunct Professor, Acting for the Camera
Instruct and direct students in scenes and monologues from plays, film scripts
and episodic tv shows
Teach students about hitting their marks, eye line, and actively listening for
the camera
2013- 2015
Chandler Preparatory Academy, Chandler, AZ
Theatre/Acting Teacher (chandlerprep.org)
Head of Theatre/Acting Program for 11th and 12th Grade
Directed four Shakespeare plays a year, as well as four contemporary or
classical plays, along with two Greek plays
Worked with students in exploring and discovering character and spine of the
play through the text, character exploration, voice, movement and use of
rhetoric
Directed and instructed students in Shakespeare monologues and scenes;
classic American and European plays, along with scenes from Greek plays
Develop and enhance a character's objectives, actions, and obstacles along
with teaching an understanding of heightened text, scansion and imagery word
use
Oversaw the budget, season selection of plays, casting, advised students in
costuming, lights, set design, as well as stage management
Produced and directed four original one-act plays based on works of literature
that were devised and written with the students
Directed numerous plays of Shakespeare, along with plays by Sophocles,
Wilder, Feydeau, Ludwig, Euripides, Ives, Kaufmann and Hart
Advisor for Key Club (community service based), assist for the tennis team,
chaperone for the Senior Trip to DC, advise two seniors yearly on their thesis
defense, worked with students in speech and debate, FERPA training
2012- 2013
Nassau Community College, NY
Substitute/Adjunct Professor
Substitute/Adjunct Professor for Acting 1, Voice, and Theatre Appreciation
Instructed students in monologues, scene work, given circumstances, and
improvisation
Enhanced the students work on voice and speech, action based choices, and
monologue presentation
2012
Vermont Shakespeare Company
Lead Instructor for Intern Company

2009

2008

2005

2005

2004

Lead instructor of interns, working on Shakespeare scenes and monologues

culminating in a final performance
Implemented exercises that enhanced the use of text, body, and voice.
Introduced the basic principles of Shakespeare text and how the mining of
rhetoric, verse, punctuation, aids and guides the actor
and 2010
Penobscot Theatre, Bangor, Maine
Teaching Artist
Introduced high school and middle school students to the language and work of
Shakespeare
Directed the students in scenes from various Shakespeare plays
Worked for three days on an abridged version of Macbeth, culminating in a
performance
Led the students in voice, movement exercises, and exploration of text
Penobscot Theatre, Bangor, Maine
Director and Teaching Artist
Directed students in a production of Pinocchio
Led 30 students daily in physical and vocal warm-ups
Instructed students in acting and character development
SUNY- Albany, Albany, NY
Guest Instructor
Developed class overview and implemented a teaching plan
Conducted workshop that focused on monologue and audition technique
Worked with students on focal points, personal habits, and entering the
space
Implemented exercises that focused on students physical and vocal instrument
Hartnell College, Salinas, CA
AEA Guest Artist
Led actors in daily warm-ups of body and voice working with the principles of
Le Coq, Linklater, Viewpoints and mask work
Worked with actors on individual scenes to strengthen objectives, specify
actions, and clarify obstacles
Performed the role of Ed Doc Ricketts in a stage adaptation of John
Steinbecks Cannery Row
The Shakespeare Theatre, Washington, DC
Camp Shakespeare, Education Department
Acting Instructor
Co-directed students in a production of Romeo and Juliet
Developed and implemented course curriculum on basics of acting Shakespeare
for 20 students, ranging in age from 13-17
Conducted detailed warm-up emphasizing the importance of developing and
maintaining the vocal instrument and incorporating the body in all acting
choices
Introduced the basic principles of Shakespeare text: iambic pentameter;
rhythm; verse and prose differences; characters choice of verse or prose; how
Shakespeare uses antithesis to demonstrate a characters thought process; how
punctuation and sentence structure gives clues to a characters state of mind,
emotions, and motivations; how operative words guide the actor to find the
best emphasis that highlights meaning

Led individual, partner, and group exercises focusing on practical application of

new techniques
2004
The Shakespeare Theatre, Washington, DC
Camp Shakespeare, Education Department
Theatre Games Instructor
Taught the value and application of theatre games and their significance to the
principles of acting
Used cooperative games to teach drama and acting skills: group cohesion for
effective ensemble acting and storytelling; how physical and vocal warm-ups
protect and free the use of the body and voice
Explored how to establish a character using body and voice
PROFESSIONAL ACTING EXPERIENCE: (see also attached acting resume)
As an actor I've worked regionally at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Fords
Theatre (DC), The Arvada Center (CO), Capital Rep (NY), Chester Theatre (MA),
Oldcastle Theatre Company (VT), The Western Stage (CA), Sierra Rep (CA),
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, The Denver Civic, Depot Theatre (NY),
Seacoast Rep (NH), Shaker Bridge Theatre (NH), Penobscot Theatre (ME) and
various theatres in the Phoenix Valley.
Appeared on Law and Order: SVU, As the World Turns, One Life to Live, All My
Children, General Hospital, Melrose Place, and Beverly Hills 90210
Supporting roles in the films Discord, Long Lost Love, and Smoke and Mirrors
RELATED THEATRE WORK: (see also attached directing and acting resumes)
Directed Doubt: A Parable at Mesa Encore Theatre, Mesa, AZ
Directed Arsenic and Old Lace at the Hale Theatre Center, Gilbert, AZ
Assistant Director for Black Tie at Adirondack Theatre Festival (NY)
Assistant Director for Running at Chester Theatre Company (MA)
Directed a short play for Primary Stages Development Series (NYC)
Directed for Boomerang Theatre's First Flight Series (NYC)
Directed Bohemian Valentine at Planet Connections Festival, (NYC)
Directed numerous plays at Chandler Preparatory Academy, AZ
ADDITIONAL TRAINING and EXPERIENCE
Shakespeare and Company Weekend Intensive, Lenox, MA
The Denver Center Summer Intensive Acting Program
Gately/Poole Summer Program (Meisner Technique) NYC
HB Studios, NYC (Advanced Scene Study with Austin Pendleton)
Acting for Film/TV with Peter Kelley, NYC
Primary Stages/ESPA, NYC; Directing Workshop with Josh Hecht
Acting respondent for Artists of Promise, Maricopa Community Colleges
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and GRANTS
Directing Workshop For Theatre Educators, Juilliard, NYC
Directors Lab North (Lincoln Center), Toronto, ON
Arizona Commission on the Arts Grantwriting Proposal Workshop, 2015
The Cultural Data Project of Arizona, 2015
Annual Child Find and FERPA Training; 2013, 2014, 2015
Arizona Non Profit Academy; 2015, 2016

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Actors Equity Association; Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA
Theatre Communications Group
Educational Theatre Association
Association of Teaching Artists

REFERENCES:

Dan Sullivan, Headmaster, Denver School of Science and Technology, CO

410-212-4956 danpsull@gmail.com
Brenny Rabine, Actor/Professor/Theatre Artist, Albany, NY
518-423-2823 brabine@nycap.rr.com
Joye Cook- Levy, Education Director, Penobscot Theatre, Bangor, Maine and
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, CO
347-581-7869 levyjoye@gmail.com
Yvonne Perry, Acting Instructor, Director and Actor, SUNY- Albany, Siena
College, Skidmore and Union College, NY
518-225-3620 yvonneperryh@gmail.com
Rebecca Guy, Acting Teacher and Project Director, Juilliard School
212-799-5000 x251 guyrj@earthlink.net
Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, Artistic Director, Capital Repertory Theatre, Albany,
NY
518-462-4531 mcahill@capitalrep.org
Scott Levy, Artistic Director, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, CO
347-526-6627 slevy@csfineartscenter.org
Richard Kuhlman, Director/Playwright/Actor (Second City), Los Angeles,
California
805-765-0169 richardcoolman@gmail.com

KENT BURNHAM
AEA/SAG/AFTRA
kentburnham4@gmail.com

646-460-3666
DIRECTING CREDITS:
Wittenberg
Romeo and Juliet (tour)
Man of La Mancha (text coach)
The Tempest
Doubt: A Parable
Arsenic and Old Lace
Bohemian Valentine
Better Than Gosling
Black Tie (assistant director)
Running (assistant director)
Bohemian Valentine
Pinocchio
Romeo and Juliet

Southwest Shakespeare Company, AZ 2016

Southwest Shakespeare Company, AZ 2015
Chandler-Gilbert Community College, AZ 2015
Chandler-Gilbert Community College, AZ 2015
Mesa Encore Theatre; Mesa, AZ 2015(Best Play Nom)
Hale Theatre Center; Gilbert, AZ 2014
Planet Connections Festival; NYC 2013(Best Director)
Primary Stages Developmental Wing; NYC 2013
Adirondack Theatre Festival; NY 2012
Chester Theatre Company; MA 2012
Boomerang Theatre Company; NYC 2012
Penobscot Theatre Summer Academy; Maine 2009
The Shakespeare Theatre Summer Academy; DC 2005

DIRECTING CREDITS AT CHANDLER PREP ACADEMY, AZ; 2013-2015

Arsenic and Old Lace

Twelve Angry Jurors
Our Town
Harvey
Romeo and Juliet
Much Ado About Nothing
Loves Labours Lost
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Antigone
Oedipus
Hecuba
Once In a Lifetime
A Flea In Her Ear
The Merchant of Venice
As You Like It
Idiots Delight
Beaux Stratagem
Taming of the Shrew
A Midsummer Nights Dream

KENT BURNHAM
AEA/SAG/AFTRA
Height: 510
Weight: 160 lbs.
Hair/Eyes: Brown

kentburnham4@gmail.com

646-460-3666

REPRESENTATIVE ROLES:
The 39 Steps
Dusk Rings a Bell
Pure Poe
Wittenberg
Orphans
Awake and Sing
To Kill a Mockingbird
Almost Maine
Of Mice and Men
Night of the Iguana
The Crucible
Women Beware Women
Loves Labours Lost
A Christmas Carol
Tuesdays with Morrie
Spinning Into Butter
All My Sons
Picnic
Romeo and Juliet
Two Gentleman of Verona
Othello
Cannery Row
East of Eden
Terra Nova
Hamlet
The Foreigner
The Tempest
The Tempest

Richard Hannay
Ray (Best Actor Nom)
Edgar Allen Poe
Martin Luther
Treat
Moe Axelrod
Sheriff Tate
Various roles
George
Shannon
Hale
Duke
Costard
Solicitor, u/s Cratchit
Mitch
Ross
George
Alan
Sampson, u/s Paris
u/s Speed-Ensemble
u/s Cassio-Ensemble
Doc Ricketts
Adam Trask
Evans
Guildenstern
Ellard
Ferdinand
Sebastian

Mesa Encore Theatre, AZ

Shaker Bridge Theatre, NH
Capital Rep. Theatre, NY
The Chester Theatre, MA
Seacoast Rep. Theatre, NH
Oldcastle Theatre, VT
Capital Rep. Theatre, NY
The Depot Theatre, NY
Arvada Center, CO
Penobscot Theatre, ME
Capital Rep. Theatre, NY
The Shakespeare Theatre /ACA
The Shakespeare Theatre /ACA
Fords Theatre, DC
Penobscot Theatre, ME
Penobscot Theatre, ME
Oldcastle Theatre, VT
Oldcastle Theatre, VT
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
The Western Stage, CA
The Western Stage, CA
The Denver Civic
The Denver Civic
Sierra Repertory, CA
Sierra Repertory, CA
A Noise Within, Los Angeles

Brian Foley
Bill Coons
Maggie Mancinelli
Byam Stevens
Chase Bailey
Eric Peterson
Maggie Mancinelli
Chris Clavelli
Terry Dodd
Scott Levy
Maggie Mancinelli
Paul Mullins
Chris Grabowski
Matt August
Scott Levy
Nathan Halvorson
Eric Peterson
Eric Peterson
Henry Woronicz
Eleanor Holdridge
Bruce Sevy
Rick Kuhlman
Tom Humphrey
Terry Dodd
Gary Logan
Frank Latson
Denis Jones
Geoff Elliot

FILM/TV:
Law and Order: SVU
As The World Turns
One Life To Live
All My Children
General Hospital
Melrose Place
Long Lost Love
Discord
Smoke and Mirrors

Co-Star
Recurring Under 5 (12x)
Recurring Under 5 (11x)
Under 5 (2x)
Under 5
Co-Star
Lead
Supporting
Supporting Lead

NBC Television
CBS Television
ABC Televsion
ABC Television
ABC Television
FOX Television
Long Love Films
Trinity Films
Harvest Moon Prods.

TRAINING:
MFA The Shakespeare Theatres Academy for Classical Acting
Acting: Michael Kahn, Ed Gero, Catherine Weidner, Floyd King, Ray Chambers
Voice/Speech: Ellen OBrien, Judith McSpadden, Sharon Freed, Gary Logan
Movement:
Roberta Stiehm
Clown: Chris Bayes
Mask: Isabelle Anderson, Dodi DiSanto (neutral, character, commedia)
Combat: Brad Waller- SAFD Certified- (Rapier, Dagger, Broadsword, Quarterstaff, Hand to Hand)
B.A. Theatre, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY Shakespeare and Company Weekend Intensive
The Denver Center- Summer Intensive
HB Studios- Scene Study (Austin Pendleton)
SPECIAL SKILLS: Excellent Maine and Boston accents. Stage combat certified. Ice Hockey, excellent ice
skater, very good golfer, tennis, running (marathons), hiking, bowling. Drivers license, great with children and
animals. Talking act as my dog Annicka.