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"Michael is an exceptional teacher; gifted, patient and absolutely dedicated to bringing out the potential in all his students.  He cultivates an atmosphere in the class where everyone feels safe, supported, and inspired."

Sally Hudson

Student at Berkeley Rep

MORE STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Languages

Michael has taught theatre and film at colleges, universities, regional theatres, and as an acting coach on films. Currently, he's on the full-time faculty at Ohlone College and coaching privately.

If you are interested in taking one of his classes, please visit Ohlone College's website for more details.

 

For private coaching in acting or in presentation and communication coaching, please contact him directly at michaelnavarra@hotmail.com.  

SPANISH

Unions

SAG-AFTRA

ACTOR'S EQUITY ASSOC.

Degrees and Training

M.F.A. Acting, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 1999-2002

B.A. Drama, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 1990-1994       

Cliff Osmond’s Film Acting Studio, L.A., CA, 1996-1999

Cal Arts, California State Summer School for the Arts, Valencia, CA, 1989

Teaching Positions
Ohlone College, Director of Theatre / Associate Professor, Fremont, CA

2011-Present

  • Directed Bert V. Royal’s Dog Sees God at the Smith Center for the Arts and was invited as one of only four productions to perform as a regional finalist for the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival.

  • Directed Jesus Christ Superstar.  Received a Meritorious Achievement Award in Direction by KCACTF.

  • Directed Proof by David Auburn, Dracula by Stephen C. Wathen, Phantom of the Opera, Wendy & Peter Pan by Ella Hickson (West Coast Premiere), The Illusion by Tony Kushner, Spending the End of the World on OkCupid by Jeffrey Lo (World Premiere), The Reluctant Vampire by Eugenie Chan (world premiere), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman.

  • Teaching Beginning Acting, Intermediate Acting, Advanced Acting and On-Camera classes to college students using exercises, improvisation, neutral scenes, scenes and monologues from established plays and films to learn the fundamentals of Stanislavski’s system. 

  • Teaching Directing for the Stage classes to students covering blocking, movement, stage pictures, approach/concept/point-of-view, working with actors and designers, casting, research, technical rehearsals, and opening night.

  • Founder and Producing Director of the Ohlone College Playwrights Festival, a festival of world premieres from established and emerging playwrights.

  • Produced the Ohlone High School Theatre Festival, one of the largest high school theatre competitions in California (1000+ students, 100 Judges, and 100 staff of students and faculty).

  • Produced Student Repertory Company, which is a festival of one-act plays, directed, designed, and acted by students.  Secured royalties, designed programs, worked with publicity, and mentored the students in all aspect of production. 

  • Teaching Theatre Appreciation to adults of all ages.  Took classes to see multiple productions throughout the Bay Area.  Led lectures, taught critical thinking, and story structure.

  • Teaching International Theatre Appreciation to adults of ages.  Recruited students for a study abroad class to London and Dublin.  The class consisted of seeing multiple productions of world-class theatre throughout England and Ireland.  Led lectures, taught critical thinking and story structure.

  • Teaching Theatre for Today, a fully online class using Canvas and McGraw-Hill Connect.  Students learn theatre history, contemporary theatre, and explore elements in acting, directing, and production.

  • ACTF Coach – Mentored students to compete in the Irene Ryan region 7 acting competition.  Students frequently reached the semi-final and final rounds.

San Francisco Acting Academy/Beau Bonneau Casting, Instructor, S.F., CA

2012-2018

  • Teaching On-Camera Acting classes to adults and teens at the premiere casting agency in San Francisco with a professional approach to acting that covers cold reading, scene study, and on-camera acting skills.  Scenes are recorded and played back using digital cameras. 

Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, Instructor, Berkeley, CA

2005-2014

  • Teaching On-Camera Acting classes to adults and teens with a professional approach to acting that covers cold reading, scene study, and on-camera acting skills.  Scenes are recorded and played back using digital cameras. 

  • Teaching Acting classes to adults and K-12 using exercises, improvisation, and neutral scenes to learn the fundamentals of Stanislavski’s system (Given Circumstances, Objectives, Actions, Obstacles, etc.).  Culminating in full scenes and monologues.

  • Taught Improvisation classes to students K-12 using exercises and games from Keith Johnstone and Viola Spolin.

  • Classes assisted:  Directing with Daniel Stein, Playwriting (created a new play), Movement (Decroux), Voice and Speech (Linklater). 

  • Story Builders:  Worked in under-served communities to help students develop the skills necessary to create a performance and develop characters through improvisation, collaboration, and group work.

TheatreWorks, Instructor, Mountain View, CA

2013-2014​

  • Teaching On-Camera Acting classes to adults and teens with a professional approach to acting that covers cold reading, scene study, and on-camera acting skills.  Scenes are recorded and played back using digital cameras. 

Napa Valley College, Adjunct Professor, Napa, CA

2009

  • Taught Acting classes to college students using exercises, improvisation, neutral scenes, scenes and monologues from established plays to learn the fundamentals of Stanislavski’s system.  Culminating in a public performance. 

  • Taught Improvisation classes to college students using exercises and games from Keith Johnstone and Viola Spolin.

Marin Shakespeare Company, Teaching Artist (Spanish), San Rafael, CA

2005

  • Taught Shakespeare, Voice and Speech, Movement, and Stage Combat in Spanish to students K-12 in an underserved community. 
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Teaching Artist, San Francisco, CA

2002-2005

  • Taught Shakespeare, Voice and Speech, Movement, and Stage Combat to students K-12. 

  • Directed students in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

College of Marin/Golden Gate Regional Center, Acting Coach, Kentfield, CA

2003

  • Worked one-on-one with a physically challenged college theatre student with cerebral palsy.

  • Worked directly with faculty to assist and integrate the student into Directing, Acting, and Improvisation classes.

University of Washington, Instructor, Seattle, WA

2001-2002

  • Taught Beginning Acting, Intermediate Acting, and Advanced Acting to university students.
  • All classes emphasized Stanislavski’s system and Tadashi Suzuki’s physical approach.

     

Teaching Workshops
Dalian Art College, Visiting Scholar-Theatre and Film Acting, Dalian, China

2014

Liaoning Normal University, Guest Lecturer-Theatre and Film Acting, Dalian, China

2014

Zhejiang Academy of Art, Visiting Scholar-Theatre and Film Acting, Hangzhou, China

2013

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region VII, Guest Director-Directing Choices, American River College, Sacramento, CA

2013

Pacific Union College, Guest Instructor-Intro to Stanislavski, Angwin, CA

2012

Oakland School of the Arts, Guest Instructor-Tennessee Williams, Oakland, CA

2012

Dominican University of California, Guest Teacher-Drama, San Rafael, CA

2009

Napa Valley College, Guest Teacher-Intro to Theatre, Napa, CA

2008

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