The player is loading ...
Sign up for updates on guests, John's live stand-up dates, and live episodes!
Absolutely loved having JoAnna Beckson on Dystopia Tonight. I had the pleasure of taking her Meisner class when I was a young comic and what I learned from her is invaluable both as a teacher and now as a friend. We discuss how she got into acting/direct...
Absolutely loved having JoAnna Beckson on Dystopia Tonight. I had the pleasure of taking her Meisner class when I was a young comic and what I learned from her is invaluable both as a teacher and now as a friend. We discuss how she got into acting/directing, having the neighborhood kids put on a show she directed at the age of 5, to back packing through Europe, falling in love with another actor in her troupe, being trained by Sanford Meisner, auditioning, diving into teaching and directing, and working with comedians like myself, Joe Starr, Rob Bartlett, Ted Alexandro, Jim Gaffigan, Ray Romano, Dave Attell (the list goes on!) and how the business has and will continue to reshape itself after covid. Enjoy!
Check out her official bio below:
JoAnna Beckson was trained as an actress and teacher by Fred Kareman, William Esper and Sanford Meisner of the Neighborhood Playhouse. She has worked extensively as an actress and director both Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway in such theaters as The Ensemble Studio Theater, Intar II, The Working Theater and Woman’s Interart. She is also a founding member of New York City’s prestigious Circle Repertory Company’s LAB. Along with being a consultant for Disney and Paramount Studios, JoAnna has maintained the dual career of Actress/Director and Teacher of acting in New York City for many years. “Say Something Funny”, an original dramedy she conceived, directed and co-produced at the Criterion Center-Broadway, was optioned for sitcom development by Nelle Nugent, a five-time Tony Award winning producer, and by Dick Clark Productions. JoAnna’s involvement in the daily “business” of acting gives her special insight toward helping actors develop their craft and solve the problem of finding work. For the past fifteen years, JoAnna has also been an Adjunct Professor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies as well as the Graduate Film Department at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. JoAnna also leads workshops at the School of Visual Arts, and the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.
Thank you so much for listening. If you can please remember to like, subscribe, and review the podcast to help keep us going!
Actor / Director / Teacher / Producer
JoAnna Beckson was trained as an actor at "The Neighborhood Playhouse" NYC with Sanford Meisner, Fred Kareman and William Esper. She has worked extensively as an actor and director off-Broadway and in TV/ Film. She was a founding member of New York City's prestigious Cirele Repertory Compony's LAB. Along with being a consultant for Disney and Paramount Studios, JoAnna hos mointained the dual career of actor director and acting coach in New York City for over 30 years.
JoAnna is an acclaimed acting coach, she was named in the "Top Ten List" Acting Coaches by Disney Studios. The Actors Studio (NYC) lists her in the "Top Twenty Coaches" and "Backstage's" list "Best of New York" includes her in the Top Four Acting Coaches (the only woman on the list).
She has been an Adjunct Professor at New York University's Tisch Graduate Film School as well as their School for Continuing and Professional Studies for 15 years, And, has been an Insiruetor at SVA -School for Visual Arts -NYC and the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, NYC for the last 12 years, while maintaining her private acting studio in NYC for 30 years.
"SAY SOMETHING FUNNY" an original dramedy she conceived, directed and co-produced at the Criterion Center - Broadway, was optioned for sitcom development by Nelle Nugent, a five-lime Tony award winning Producer, and Dick Clark Productions.
