Joel Gelman

Position: Rep Company, Faculty member

Classes Taught: ACTOR’S INNER CLOWN, VIEWPOINTS

Education: Joel received his BA in theatre from Western Michigan University and his MFA in Acting from UC San Diego under a Brilliant Faculty Including Kyle Donnelly, Jim Winker, Charlie Oates, Eva Barnes, Ursula Meyer And Kim Rubinstein. At both Universities he worked on a very eclectic variety of projects from musical theatre, classical and contemporary to a piece directed by SITI company member Leon Ingulsrud to his own one man show “The Heliotropic Man” to a Hip Hop Theatre project Directed by Will Power.

Professional Experience: As an Actor Joel has worked regionally all over the country. Including La Jolla Playhouse, PA Centre Stage, 20% Chicago, Timberlake Playhouse and the Hollywood Bowl. He is a long distance contributing member of The Ruckus Theatre Company in Chicago. You can see Joel In the NBC/ Universal Web series In Gayle We Trust Fall 2009.

What the XRT Means To Me…: XRT is the sweet smell of potential. Theatre and Actor Training is an ever-evolving creature. We must use the lessons of the past as well as look toward the future of this quickly changing world for inspiration. XRT is an incredible group of passionate, progressive artists that embrace these ideas and are using them to not only shape the actors of tomorrow but the community around us as well.

Why I Do What I Do…: I’ve had the honor to study under some wonderful and inspiring teachers that have shaped who I am as an Actor and a human being if I can give back one tiny scrap of what they’ve given to me then I’ll have done something tremendous and That’s what I hope to do at XRT!

Did You Know? Joel Loves Jacques Tati, Mango Mochi Ice Cream and Jack Handy’s Deep Thoughts. He also Loves Writing short fiction.

Joel as Hugh Voysey in "Even Yet, Its Mighty Daring Sings"