David Taft

206 / 612-7894

115 33rd Ave E
Seattle, WA 98112
Email: davidtaft@mac.com
Website: david-taft.com

Education

Seattle University, Masters in Teaching (MIT) | 1993
University of Washington, B.A. Political Science | 1990
Syracuse University, Actor training, with Arthur Storch | 1973-1976
Mask, Devising, Commedia dell’Arte, Clowning: with Carlo Mazzone-Clementi at the Dell’Arte School, Blue Lake, CA | 1976-1977
Theatrical Biomechanics: with Gennadi Bogdanov | 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004-5
Acting: with Michael Howard, Michael Howard Studio, New York N.Y. | 1982-1985
Mask Making: with Teatro Movemento, New York N.Y. | 1983
Movement: with Tony Montanaro, Celebration Mime Theatre, South Paris, ME. | 1973

Teaching

Cornish College of the Arts: Movement, Mask, Circus Arts & Clown | 1993-2017 (Richard E. T. White, Theater Chair)
School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA): Lead Theater Instructor For Professional Circus Program (P3) | 2018
Nathan Hale High School: Introductory Drama and After School Drama Program | 1993-94 (Eric Benson, Principal)

Over a forty-five year period, David has taught workshops on mask, movement, Commedia dell’Arte and clowning at universities such as Brown University, U. of Miami, Northeastern, U. of Washington, etc. and at numerous grade and high schools up and down both coasts in conjunction with performance series. Private workshops are held in the Seattle area with professional actors and as movement consultant to stage and screen. References available upon request.

Acting / Off-Broadway & Stock (representative roles)

The Inferno (Company Member) Creation Company at Theatre for the New City New York, NY | 1984
The Marowitz Shrew (Company Member) Cubiculo Theatre, New York, NY | 1983
Braindeath (Company Member) Cubiculo Theatre, New York, NY | 1982
The Marowitz Hamlet (Rosencrantz) Network Theatre, New York, NY | 1981

Acting / Touring

Two Penny Theatre Co. (Company Member, Treasurer, Grant Writer ) | Toured three shows to colleges, festivals, grade & high schools, involving mask performances, clowning, and Commedia dell’Arte. | 1977-1980
Dell’Arte Company (Performer, Juggler, Tumbler) | Vaudeville review, toured Northern California | 1976
Beltyne Faire (Company Member) | Medieval minstrel show, toured East Coast festivals | 1974-1975

Acting / Regional (representative roles)

Dario & Bario (Bario) Freehold Theater, Seattle, WA | 2004-5
This Land (Company Member) Strawberry Theatre Workshop, Seattle, WA | 2004
Playing Don Juan (Company Member) Freehold Theater, Seattle, WA | 2000
Move (Dancer) Allegro Dance Series with Orjan Andersson, Seattle, WA | 1996
Seven Adults (Dancer) Allegro Dance Series with Erika Angelakos, Seattle, WA | 1995
The Conqueror Worm (Company member) On The Boards, Seattle, WA | 1991
The Balcony (Company member) New City Theatre, Seattle, WA | 1989
A Servant of Two Masters (Truffaldino) Miami Shakespeare Festival, Miami, FL | 1984
Twelfth Night (Feste) Miami Shakespeare Festival, Miami, FL | 1984

Advertising Credits

Bouchard &Taft, Inc. Seattle, WA | 1990-92
Wrote, produced, and voiced radio advertising for the Northwest market
(Client list upon request)
Voiceovers, Television and Print West Coast markets | 1985-Present
(List of credits available upon request)

Professional Associations

Association of Theatre Movement Educators (ATME)
Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
American Federation of Teachers, retired (AFT)
Cornish Federation of Teachers (CFT) – past executive officer | 1998-2017