Mr. Lyeneal Griffin, MFA

griffinlyeneal@gmail.com

Tel. 601.658.0778

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Sankofa African American Theatre Company (2021-Present)

Acting Instructor 

Intro to Acting: Introductory course which teaches history, theatre terminology, and the basic basic principles of acting. 

Gamut Theatre Group (2019-2021)

Acting Instructor 

Theatre Basics Teaching Instructor: Introductory course for students with little or no experience. Students learn the “Basics” of theatre performance: projection and enunciation for the voice, basic movement skills, and expanding their imagination and creativity.

Acting II Teaching Instructor: (Intermediate Acting) In this course, students explore more challenging texts and examine different styles and techniques of acting. 

Gamut Theatre Summer Academy (2020)

Teaching Artist

Intro to Commedia del’ Arte: One week intensive, offering students an exploration into the world of Commedia. Students will have the opportunity to explore lazzis, mask work, and story-telling through emotion and physicality. 

Rich Theatre (2018-2019)

Acting Instructor 

Intro to Theatre: Intro to Theatre is a beginning acting course where students learn and explore terminology, basic principles of theatre for new actors.  

The Show Must Go On: Virtual 6-Week Intensive offering students an opportunity to explore multiple disciplines in the world of theatre. Students will have the opportunity to write, direct, act, costume, and perform in their very own production. 

From Text to Life: This intro to script analysis course exploring the practical aesthetics technique. Students study classic and contemporary playwrights to explore and craft intention, motivation, and action of a character.     

Intro to Shakespeare: Intro to Shakespeare provides the young actor with the various facets of approaching Shakespearean texts. An emphasis is placed on investigating the language of Shakespeare through voice and movement, creating a physical and emotional life of Shakespeare’s characters.

The REV Theatre (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 2019)

Teaching Artist

Upstate, NY (Grades 3-5 Workshop Instructor)

Offering performances, workshops and study guide materials tailored to each grade level through its Sequential Dramatics Program, choosing productions which complement the subject matter to help teachers and students in meeting New York State Learning Standards.

Virginia Stage Company (2018-2019)

Teaching Artist, Actor 

Dramatically-Able (2019): The Teaching Artist position is a part of the Public Works initiative housed within the Department of Education Department & Community Engagement. Plan and create lessons and theatre experiences inclusive to young actors who are hard of hearing and visually impaired. Write and direct a final showing for students to perform for friends and family.  

Healthy Fixin‘s with Apples and Oranges (2018-2019): Interactive and educational touring production for students in grades 3-5 throughout the Hampton Roads, encouraging healthy food and portioning.

EDUCATION

M.F.A. in Acting: Regent University, 2018 

B.F.A. in Theatre Performance: The University of Southern Mississippi, 2015

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Dr. Michael Kirkland, Ph.D - Meisner Technique, Stage Combat,  2015-2018

Eric Harrell - Periods and Styles, Linklater, and Laban, 2015-2018

Marianne Savell - IPA,Dialects, Shakespeare, Cicely Barry, 2015-2018

Mark Palidini, C.S.A - Scene Analysis, Scene Study, Uta Hagen, 2015-2018

Kelly Davis - Acting for the Camera, 2014-2015

Kathi-Lee Wilson - Voice, 2015-2018

Hannah Rosenfarb - Vocal Technique, Sight Reading, 2020-Present 

Robin Carr - Dialects, Musical Theatre, Lessac, Suzuki, 2011-2015

Monica Hayes - Scene Study, Improv, Period Styles, Shakespeare, 2011-2015

Lou Rackoff, Directing, 2013-2014

Sean Boyd, Meisner, Expressive Voice 2011-2015


FELLOWSHIPS AND GRANTS

The Mystery of Others Lives - Devised Theatre Project - The University of Southern Mississippi  (2015)

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTING 

Pretty Fire Charlayne Woodard Sankofa African American Theatre Co. (2021)

See Rock City Arlene Hutton Zeiders American Dream Theatre (2018)

EDUCATIONAL DIRECTING

High School Musical Jr. Simpatico/Gerrard Rich Theatre (2020)

The Adams Family Jr. Brickman/Elice/Lippa Arts Inclusion Co. (2019)

Suessical Jr. Ahrens/Flaherty Rich Theatre (2019)

The Last Train to Nibroc Arlene Hutton Regent University Lab (2017)


AFFILIATIONS

SAG/AFTRA - Sag-Eligible

ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION - Equity Membership Candidate 


EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

TMI Improv, 2021

  • Led and taught improv technique and games for community organizations, corporate retreats, and schools in the Harrisburg community. 

  • Fosse School Theatre Residency, 2021

  • Taught theatre basics to Foose School 4th graders, rehearse play, and lead students into performance.  

Shakespeare at the Pullo, 2021

  • Held performance and talk-back of Hamlet for high school students in York County.


Harrisburg Shakespeare Educational Tour, 2021

  • Held performance and talk-back of Hamlet for high school students in Dauphin County.


Popcorn Hat Players, 2019-2021

  •  Led two-person performance and talk-back with schools, community organizations around Central, PA. 


Virginia Stage Company Educational Tour, 2019

  • Held performance and talk-back for schools in the Hampton Roads


Sankofa African American Theatre Company, 2019,2021

  • Held performance and talk-back for school districts in Dauphin County’s Black History Month celebration 


CONFERENCES & PUBLICATIONS

The Old Miser: Discovering Pantalone in The Servant of Two Masters

Griffin, Lyeneal. Regent University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing,  2018. 10787430.


(Academic and Professional References Available Upon Request)