Brian Chandler

Title: Assistant Lecturer in Theatre Arts
Dept/Program: School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration
Office: Guzzetta Hall
Email: bchandler@uakron.edu

Biography

Brian was raised in Cleveland and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. Inspired by the productions at Karamu House and the Cleveland Heights youth theatre, he pursued his passion for performing and entered Howard University, where he received a B.F.A. in theatre. Brian moved to New York, where he became a member of the Negro Ensemble Company, earning his Equity union card performing with Karamu Alumni, Bill Cobbs and Howard Alumni, Phylicia Ayers Allen, later Rashad, in Weep Not for Me. On NEC’s 2nd national tour of A Soldier’s Play, Brian performed the role of P.F.C. Peterson, a role originated by Denzel Washington. As a member of AEA, and AFTRA-SAG, other notable roles include Mufasa, in the Broadway company of The Lion King, Curtis in the national tour of Dreamgirls, Nomax in the Canadian tour of 5 guys named Moe, and Edmund in the Pearl Theatre’s production of King Lear. T.V. and film credits include Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Phil of The Future, the critically acclaimed independent film, Brother to Brother and a variety of soap operas including a recurring role on The Guiding Light.

In addition to performing, Brian pursued his other interest in teaching, and designing for the stage. Brian taught acting and dance for a variety of children’s theatre programs, including the Sacred Heart Academy’s Summer Arts and Sports camp in New York city and The Towne Street Theatre’s Summer Musical Theatre camp in Los Angeles, CA. Brian choreographed children for such productions as, The Wiz, Beauty and the Beast, and Bubbling Brown Sugar. Brian also served as an Adjunct Professor with New York University’s Creative Arts Team. One of the duties of the team, was to present historic and current socially relevant plays to children in elementary through high school classes. The teachers / actors also taught pre and post workshops to the students using the themes and lessons in the plays to stimulate and develop student’s reading, writing, and oral presentation skills.

As a Production Stage Manager, Brian worked for Rosie O’Donnell’s Broadway Kids, New York University’s Creative Arts Team, Jelome Vierra’s Dance Brazil, Fred Benjamin’s Dance Company, Washington D.C. ‘Capital Ballet, Obba Babatunde’s and Rena Phillip’s Performing Arts Musical Theatre for Kids, Karamu House and a number of other regional theatres. He has designed lights and/or sets for such productions as The Wiz, Annie, West Side Story, The River Niger, Boys in The Band, The Fantasticks, The Gingham Dog, Beauty and The Beast” and Bubbling Brown Sugar.

Brian taught Acting and Theatre History at Kent State as a Graduate student in the MFA acting program for the returning professional, subsequently completing the program and receiving his MFA. As an Associate Lecturer in UA’s Theatre and Dance department, Brian is excited and committed to developing the next generation of talented performing artist and those who appreciate and recognize the importance of the Arts to the health and wellbeing of humanity.