818 763-7727 home
818 399-0013 cell

brianlohmann@sbcglobal.net

TESTIMONIALS

“His expertise in improvisational skills is especially impressive. The students were unanimously enthusiastic about Brian and his teaching methods. I like his easy demeanor, quirky sense of humor and disciplined ethic.” 

                                                                                    – Richard Seer, Director MFA Acting Program, Old Globe Theatre, University of San Diego.

“I learned more about an actor’s needs and the demands of performance while taking Brian’s improv class than in twenty years of producing movies.”  

                                                                                     – Doug Claybourne, producer,  The Mask of Zorro

“He is adept at getting students on their feet and working, rather than talking about working and focuses on the fun of live theatre as well as the craft.”   

                                                                                    – Cary Perloff, Artistic Director, American Conservatory Theatre

“Brian probably knows more about the creation and sustention of narrative form than anyone else in the world of professional improvisation.”   

                                                                                    – Patricia Ryan, former head of Undergraduate Acting,
                                                                                       Professor Emeritus, Stanford University

AREAS OF COMPETENCE FOR INSTRUCTION

Acting: Improvisation, Mask, Scene Study, Shakespeare, Chekhov, Audition;

Directing, Playwriting, Solo Performance, Singing, Songwriting, Digital Storytelling

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

CORE FACULTY

AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER(A.C.T.), San Francisco, CA.                 

Core faculty, M.F.A. program, 1988-1995. Improvisation, Mask, Status, Improvising Shakespeare and Musical Improvisation. 

STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Palo Alto, CA.

Core faculty, Improvisation Summer School, 1993.

Guest Lecturer, Undergraduate Theatre program, 1992, 2007. Improv, Modern Drama scene study.

GUEST FACULTY

THE OLD GLOBE THEATER, UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO, San Diego, CA.

Guest faculty, MFA Program, 1996-2002.  Improvisation, Viewpoints movement technique, Improvising Shakespeare and Status.  Assistant Director for thesis performance and graduate showcase. New York City, NY

GUTHRIE THEATER, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, MN.

Guest faculty, BFA Program, 2001. Improvisation for First and Second Year students.  Assisted on Second Year production of Arthur Miller’s “The American Clock.”

PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY, Malibu, CA.

Guest faculty, Undergraduate Theatre Program, 2000, 2001. Adjunct Professor, Alternative Theatre Styles: Brecht, Beckett, Ionesco, Pinter; scene study and presentation, 2009.

THE PUBLIC THEATER SHAKESPEARE LAB, New York City, NY.

Workshop leader, 2008.

OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, Ashland, OR. 

Trained members of the acting company 1994-5, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2010.

HUNTINGTON LIBRARY SHAKESPEARE PROGRAM

Workshop leader for Shakespeare teachers from around the country 2009-11

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

Workshop Leader 2011. Improvising Shakespeare, Improvisation.

CORNISH COLLEGE FOR THE ARTS, Seattle, WA.

Shakespeare Master Class, Undergraduate Acting Program, 1998.

MENDOCINO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Ukiah, CA.

Improvising Shakespeare, Improvisation, 2003, 2006

ACTORS ALLIANCE, San Diego, CA.

Guest Lecturer 1996. Rehearsal techniques for Chekhov; script analysis of Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard.”

DELL ARTE' SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL THEATER, Blue Lake, CA.

Improvisation Teacher, 1993.

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, San Francisco, CA.

Guest faculty, Undergraduate Theatre Program, Spring Semester 1989.

INTERNATIONAL

VICTORIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, Melbourne, Australia.

Guest Lecturer, 1992. Acting, Improvisation and Mask.

GERMAN TEACHING TOUR

1999.  Classes in spontaneous song composition in English with some German. Musical styles include Blues, Jazz, Opera, Kurt Weill, Broadway Show Tunes, Rock, Pop and Soul. Cities include Stuttgart, Munich, Krefeld, Hamburg, Bochum, Freiburg

PRIVATE SECTOR

SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, San Francisco, CA.
Consultant and Core Faculty, New Strength Unity Institute, 2002 – 04, Institute for Change 2004-11 
An intensive two-year course for union leaders. On-camera classes, presentation skills, storytelling digital media, and improvisation. On-site analysis of leadership structures and styles. Curriculum development. Comedy writer and performer and for international convention 2008.

UNION BANK, Monterey Park, CA. 2007 – 08
One-on-one coaching in communication performance skills for Vice Presidents.

PRIVATE STUDIO

1991-2003.  San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and San Diego.  Private classes in acting and improvisation. 

CONFERENCES

NYU Steinhardt School
Presenter, 2008 Page, Stage, Engage Conference “Shakespeare through Improvisation.”

DIRECTING EXPERIENCE

DICKENS UNSCRIPTED     

Broad Stage, Santa Monica 2010

L.A. NOIR UNSCRIPTED     

Asylum Theater, North Coast Rep 2010

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS UNSCRIPTED     

Asylum Theater, North Coast Rep
2011

   

Odyssey Theater, Carrie Hamilton Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse) 2009

SHAKESPEARE UNSCRIPTED     

The Globe Playhouse, Los Angeles
1999

 

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, green show
2008, 2010

 

Little Fish, San Pedro, CA 2010

JANE AUSTEN UNSCRIPTED     

Asylum Theater, Broad Stage,
Bayfront Theatre, San Francisco
2008,2009

THE REGIFTERS (World Premiere) Ukiah Players Theater       2007
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Ukiah Players Theater       2006
TINY AND LES      ACME Theater, Los Angeles      2005
EAT AND RUN (World Premiere)  Ukiah Players Theater 2003
BOO!  ( Casting director, Choreographer) New York NY Hotel, Las Vegas 2002
THE COLD TOFU NETWORK
( Asian American Theatre Company)
The Secret Rose Theater, Los Angeles 2000
THE HELL SHOW  The Bitter Truth Playhouse, Los Angeles  2000
THE GLASS SLIPPER HBO workspace, Los Angeles 1998
OLD GLOBE THEATER GRADUATE SHOWCASE (Assistant Director) 1997
SOLO PERFORMANCE THESIS PRESENTATIONS (Coach)     NYC, Los Angeles    1997
FRATELLI BOLOGNA                               San Francisco                                              1995
PULP PLAYHOUSE                                   San Francisco, Eureka Theatre                   1988-95
A.C.T. Advanced Training Program Studio Productions, San Francisco
Cymbeline    Assistant Director     1993
Fuente Ovejuna Director 1993
Poison, Passion, Petrifaction (Shaw)   Director 1992
Hot L Baltimore   Director  1991
The Learned Ladies Assistant Director   1990

 

FILM DIALOGUE COACHING EXPERIENCE

Buddy, American Zoetrope - Directed by Caroline Thompson     1997
     - Rehearsal Coach for Rene Russo, Robbie Coltrane
That Thing You Do, Twentieth Century Fox - Directed by Tom Hanks 1997
     - Dialogue Coach for Chris Isaak 
Jack, Hollywood Pictures, American Zoetrope - Directed by Francis Ford Coppola 1996
     - Dialogue & Acting Coach for entire cast
Bram Stoker's Dracula- Columbia Pictures - Directed by Francis Ford Coppola 1992
     - Rehearsal Coach for Principals

EXPERIENCE AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

PULP PLAYHOUSE, San Francisco, CA. 

1988-1995 Founder, performer, producer, director.   A storytelling theater inspired by the “Pulp” Magazines of the early 20th century.  Directed a hybrid of scripted monologues and improvised  stories in classic literary genres. Acted as booking agent, created format, cast and maintained standing company of eight. Designed seasons, worked with graphic designers to create advertising campaign, performed bookkeeping and payroll duties.  Invited to the premiere year of the Aspen Comedy Festival. In residence at the Eureka Theater from1988-1990, selling out late-night shows for three years. Other venues include The Actor's Gang, Los Angeles, and two years at the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle.

FAULTLINE, San Francisco, CA.

1980-1982, 1984-86.  Artistic director, writer, performer.  Award-winning comedy revue.

Company members included Greg Proops and Micheal McShane of “Whose Line is it Anyway?”

(Winner Cabaret Gold Award 1985)

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Performed leading roles Off-Broadway, at A.C.T., The Globe Theatres; toured internationally with original solo work. Performance resume available on request.

PLAYWRIGHTING EXPERIENCE

TOUGH HOUSE (co-author with Micheal McShane), Impro Theatre, L.A.

2006
CAPTAINING TITANIC LEADERSHIP, (solo performance) ACME Theatre. LA        2006
“BOO!” (Special material)  New York, NY Hotel, Las Vegas  2002-03
YOUR BEST INTEREST, Rough and Tumble, San Francisco   2000
THE BOGEY HOSEN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, Unexpected Productions, Seattle 1998
ARMCHAIR IN HELL, MJT Productions, NYC - Rough and Tumble, San Francisco 1998
BIG WINNER, Rough and Tumble, San Francisco – Ashbury Actors Group, LA  1997
JOHNNY LONELY’S UNHAPPY HOUR, San Francisco, Seattle, New York;Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festivals  1996
SEASONAL HELP  (solo performance) Bayfront Theater, San Francisco  1995
MAKE*A*CIRCUS, touring children's theater/circus, San Francisco   1989, 91

MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

The Love Hall Tryst, Acapella Folk Quartet w/John Wesley Harding Album on Appleseed Records and National Tour     2005
Carnegie Hall, New York City, N.Y. Operatic Baritone      1999
Overtone Industries production of “String of Pearls"
1998
Unexpected Productions, Seattle, WA.  Arranger/Composer, “The Bogey Hosen Christmas Spectacular” 1998
The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA. Composer, "The Mask of Moriarty" Directed by Nicholas Martin 1997
Berkeley Jazz Festival, Berkeley, Ca.  Soloist with Bobby McFerrin       1997
JOHNNY LONELY’S UNHAPPY HOUR, San Francisco, Seattle, New York;Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festivals  1978
Feather River Jazz Festival, Ca. Jazz Vocalist, Arranger, M.C. 1977

ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATRE

·         1992-93, Diversity Committee member, addressed issues of racial and gender bias.

·         1991, Faculty and Administration Ethics Committee, reviewed and updated faculty policies and by-laws.

·         1989, WASC Report Committee.

IMPRO THEATRE

·         2007-11, Associate Artistic Director, Director of Classical Studies, developed and implemented marketing plan, created
          promotional·materials, negotiated and managed tours, developed curriculum, directed Tennessee Williams, Shakespeare and
          Dickens Unscripted.

THEATRESPORTS

·         1996-2003, Board of Directors, Master Class Instructor, San Diego Theatresports, CA. 

·         1997-2000, Education Director, Advisory Board Member, Los Angeles Theatresports, CA.      

·         1999 Consultant, Master Classes, Austin, TX.                                                        

·         1987-1996 Co-Founder, Advisory Council Member, Master Classes, Bay Area Theatresports San  Francisco, CA.

PUBLICATIONS

The NOSE magazine, San Francisco, 1990-1992. Featured columnist.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

AEA                            Actors’ Equity Association

SAG                            Screen Actors Guild

AFTRA                       American Federation of Radio and Television Artists

EDUCATION

New College of California

B.A. in Humanities 2007
San Francisco State University Inter-Arts Center    1975, 1979-82
Drama Studio London at Berkeley Summer Training Programme  1983
Lone Mountain College Jazz Composition/Arranging       1977-78
Center for Digital Storytelling Digital Media     2003-04

TRAINING

·         Acting: Richard Seyd, Robert Woodruff, Richard E.T. White, Caymichael Patten

·         Improvisation: Keith Johnstone, Del Close, Fred Curchack

·         Physical Theatre: Anne Bogart - Viewpoints, Dominique Serrand – Le Coq, Jeff Bihr – Suzuki

·         Shakespeare: Richard Easton, F. Murray Abraham, Shakespeare & Co.

·         Singing: Joanna Gleason-Acting/Singing, Carol Dyk, Dr. Hernan Pelayo - Bel Canto

·         Mask: Jared Sacren, Improbable Theatre: Phelim McDermott, Lee Simpson

·         Voice: Robert Taylor - IAT

·         Playwrighting:  Amy Freed, Leon Martell, Nanos Valoritos

AWARDS/HONORS

Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature Film "Thanks" San Luis Obispo Film Festival, Independent Spirit Award, Sedona Film Festival (Actor, Composer)  2011
L.A. Weekly’s Top Ten Theatrical Events, Impro Theatre 2010
Stage Scene L.A. Awards: Best Direction of a Comedy, “L.A. Noir UnScripted" & “Shakespeare UnScripted”; Best Improv Ensemble, “L.A. Noir UnScripted" Outstanding Improv Ensemble, “Shakespeare UnScripted” 2009
Garland Award, best ensemble performance, “Cymbeline”,  Old Globe Theatres     1999
Fringe First Finalist “Johnny Lonely’s Unhappy Hour”, Adelaide Fringe                         1996
1st Place World Cup Improvisation Tournament, San Francisco                                    
1993
1st Place International Theatresports Tournament, San Francisco                               1991
Cabaret Gold Award, Best Comedy Ensemble, "Faultline" 1985
Drama-Logue Award for original musical composition, "Absolutely Courtney"           1983

 

close window