JENNY MERCEIN
Curriculum Vitae
email: jmercein@aya.yale.edu
private coaching email contact: sidebysidecoaching@gmail.com
EDUCATION:
2003 University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Master of Fine Arts in Acting.
1995 Yale University, New Haven, CT.
B.A. in History of Art and Theater Studies.
Graduated with Honors in both majors.
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT:
The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)
Instructor, fall 2007-present.
• Technique and Scene Study: A two-semester course in beginning acting techniques for up to 20 first-year
students. First semester curriculum addresses constructive use of the self, with work on breath, imagination,
economy, specificity, and sensory awareness. Emphasis is placed on physical ease, vocal resonance, and
clarity, incorporating elements of Linklater voice work and Alexander Technique. Course work includes open
scenes and contemporary American scene work, utilizing Stanislavski-based training focusing on objectives,
obstacles, and given circumstances. Second semester delves further into text analysis, scene work, and
character development. Students complete an intensive life-study project, exploring extreme character
transformation through the use of voice, speech, movement, and physicality.
• Scene Study and Text Analysis: A one-semester course designed to introduce first-year students to text
analysis. Topics include instruction in how to effectively read a play with an overview of dramatic structure.
Students learn how to mine a text for given circumstances, as well as how to identify beats, arcs, objectives,
and obstacles. The course-work includes written assignments, as well as scene work from contemporary
American plays.
Queens College
Adjunct Professor, Continuing Education Program, winter 2009-present.
• The Art of Acting: An introductory course for a diverse group of 12 students ranging in age from 18 to
75. Curriculum includes introduction to basic concepts of acting, voice work, theater games, improvisation,
open scenes, and monologue work.
• Demystifying the Bard- A Practical (and Fun) Course on Shakespeare: An introductory course exploring
Shakespeare on the page, on film, and through performance. Curriculum covers a brief history of Shakespeare
in performance, tools for deciphering complex language, an introduction to scansion and speech work.
Performance work includes sonnets, monologues, and two-person scenes from Shakespeare.
Fordham University
Adjunct Professor in the College of Liberal Studies, Fall 2006.
• Acting for Non-Majors: A one-semester course comprised of both traditional undergraduates and
continuing education students. Curriculum includes introduction to basic concepts of acting, text analysis, voice
work, theater games, improvisation, open scenes, and monologue work.
Nassau Community College
Adjunct Professor in the Theater Department, Fall 2006.
• Movement for Actors: Curriculum includes Viewpoints and Suzuki-inspired physical training exercises,
theater games and improvisation inspired by the work of Viola Spolin, Alexander Technique, and exercises
designed to address focus, concentration, and physicality. The course aims to bridge the gap between abstract
physical training methods and traditional acting techniques by connecting movement work to character
development and Stanislavski-based action/objective work.
University of Washington School of Drama
Teacher, 2001-2002.
• Acting I, II, and III: Curriculum included basic fundamental performance skills emphasizing constructive use
of the self (breathing, relaxation, communication, imagination, spontaneity), physical approaches to acting
derived from Suzuki training and Alexander Technique, intensive monologue and scene work with strong
emphasis on Stanislavski-based action/objective work, and the performance of a one-act play in a festival
setting. Designed and taught a special section on Shakespeare including sonnet work, scansion, and the
preparation of a classical monologue.
ADDITIONAL TEACHING/ COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Saturday Space/ Side by Side Coaching, 2003- present.
Created a weekly studio for actors to try out new pieces and/or bring in audition material for preparation,
providing participants with coaching and feedback. Private acting coaching, specializing in monologue
selection, audition preparation, and Linklater voice training.
Manhattan Theatre Club, Guest Artist, 1998-2000.
Served as a guest actor in the NYC Public Schools, performing scenes from the MTC season as well as cold-
readings of student-generated material.
Greenwich Academy Day Camp, Youth Drama Workshop, 1997.
Led a Spolin- inspired theater games and improvisation workshop for campers ages 4-11.
ACTING: See theatrical resume for extensive experience in theater, film, and television.
DIRECTING:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, McCarter Theater, 2005. Served as a directorial observer to Tina Landau.
Freedumb, The Gene Frankel Theater, NYC, 2005. Directed original political satire/ sketch comedy show.
Stuck in the Middle with Me, The People’s Improv Theater (The PIT), NYC, 2004. Directed solo show by
NYC comedian David Speicher.
PRODUCING:
“middlemen” by David Jenkins, Walkerspace Theater, NYC, 2009. Served as producer for the world-premiere
of this dark comedy, developed as part of the Lark New Play Development Series.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Actors Center Teacher Development Program, 2005 and 2006.
Awarded a slot in a highly selective program designed to nurture and develop acting teachers by offering the
opportunity to study with several of the top Master Acting Teachers in the United States. Faculty mentors
including Olympia Dukakis, Earle Gister, Lloyd Richards, Rob Clare (Royal Shakespeare Company),
Christopher Bayes, Catherine Fitzmaurice, Slava Dolgachev (Moscow Art Theater), and J. Michael Miller.
Teaching Apprentice, Actors Center, 2005-2006.
Awarded an apprenticeship to study Chekhov and be mentored by Earle Gister, former head of The Yale
School of Drama. Served as a teaching apprentice to Scott Freeman, head of actor training in the one-year
conservatory program.
ACTING TRAINING AND INSTRUCTORS:
The University of Washington: Jon Jory, Steve Pearson, Mark Jenkins, Robyn Hunt (Suzuki Training), Judy
Shahn (Linklater Voice), Cathy Madden (Alexander Technique), Geoff Ahm (Stage Combat, S.A.F.D. Certified),
Scott Hafso (Singing), Dale Merrill (Jazz Dance), Peter Kyle (Modern Dance), Stephanie Skura (Skinner
Releasing), Melissa Kerber (Low-Flying Trapeze), Laura Worthen (Speech).
The Public Theater/ NYSF Shakespeare Lab: Ron Van Lieu, Michael Cumpsty, Jed Diamond, Chris Bayes
(Clown), Shane Ann Younts and Sarah Felder (Voice and Speech), Steve White (Stage Combat), Barry
Edelstein (Text Analysis).
The Actors Center: Ron Van Lieu, Earle Gister, Lloyd Richards, Jed Diamond, Olympia Dukakis, Per Brahe,
Bruce Katzman, Catherine Fitzmaurice (Voice), Jane Nichols (Clown).
Other NYC Teachers: Austin Pendleton, Daniela Varon (Shakespeare & Co.)
Yale University: James De Paul, Annie Piper, Sandra Bowie, Murray Biggs, Bill Walters.
SPECIAL TRAINING, WORKSHOPS, AND MASTER CLASSES:
Kristin Linklater: Master Voice Class.
Catherine Fitzmaurice: Master Voice Class.
David Shiner: Master Clown Class.
Christopher Bayes: Clown and Commedia Del’ Arte Mask.
Peter Brook Company: Japanese Sound and Movement.
Viewpoints: Worked with KJ Sanchez, former SITI Company member, on viewpoints and composition,
culminating in the creation of “Too Much Water,” an original theater piece chronicling Ophelia’s off-stage
journey. Served as a directorial observer under Tina Landau.
Suzuki Training: Trained rigorously for three years under Robyn Hunt and Steve Pearson, both of whom
worked with Mr. Suzuki in Toga, Japan for over ten years.
Alexander Technique: Studying in NYC from 1995-2000 with Jed Diamond, certified Alexander teacher. Studied
under Master Teacher Cathy Madden from 2000-2003 at The University of Washington.
Improv Comedy: Trained with The Upright Citizen’s Brigade in long-form sketch comedy.
Columbia Graduate Director’s Lab: Participated in scene study and workshop productions with M.F.A. directors
under the supervision of Anne Bogart and Robert Woodruff. Special training in Javanese Dance and Eastern
movement.
SOLO PERFORMANCE/ PUBLICATION:
“pretty” Writer/ Performer, directed by Josh Costello, developed in response to working with Master Clown
David Shiner. Featured in the 2004 Estrogenius Festival at Manhattan Theatre Source and The New York Solo
Play Lab (2004). Published by PlaySource Books (2004).
“Beautiful Mount Airy Lodge” Writer/ Performer, directed by Jerry Manning.
Performed at The University of Washington, On The Boards in Seattle, and The West Bank Café in New York
City (2002).
“Waiting” Writer/ Performer, dramaturgy by Jerry Manning, directed by Henry Wishcamper. A play with original
music (arranged for the stage by Laura Brenneman). Developed with Seattle’s WET Theater Company
(summer 2004), featured in the 2004 Estrogenius Festival at Manhattan Theatre Source, and at The People’s
Improv Theater (2005).
SCHOLARSHIP:
“A Multi-Layered Approach: Examining the Plays of Suzan-Lori Parks through the lens of Double
Consciousness, Bricolage, and Non-Traditional Acting Techniques.” An investigation of the imagery and
cultural significance of four early plays by Suzan-Lori Parks using W.E.B. Du Bois’s concept of ‘double
consciousness,’ Claude Levi-Strauss’s idea of ‘bricolage,’ and Earle Gister’s notion of three levels of acting.
Awarded the James S. Metcalfe Prize for Best Essay on American Theater. (Theater Studies Senior Thesis,
Yale University).
“Desire Caught by the Tail: Picasso during the Occupation.” An exploration of Picasso’s artistic output during
the Nazi Occupation of France, specifically his decision to temporarily abandon his traditional media and turn to
theater, culminating in his authorship of the little-known and rarely produced play “Desire Caught by the Tail”
(Art History Senior Thesis, Yale University).
HONORS/ AWARDS:
• Nominee, Best Supporting Actress in a Short Film (Birth Date), Method Fest, 2009.
• The James S. Metcalfe Prize for the Best Essay on American Theater, Yale University, 1995.
• The Mary Sizer Ecklund Scholarship, Yale University.
• Represented the United States at The International University Theater Festival in Pueblas, Mexico, 1995.
• The Nina F. Mooney Memorial Award for the top Scholar/ Athlete, Scarsdale High School, 1991.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Member, Actors’ Equity Association.
Member, Screen Actors Guild.
Member, TCG.
Member, The Shakespeare Society.
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