
Randy S.

Teaching Locations:

Teaching Locations:

Levels taught:
Elementary, Middle School, High School, CollegeAbout Randy S.
I have always been an actor first, it is the craft and discipline in which I hold my advanced degrees; it is my first and eternal love. There really isn't much more one could add to such a claim. Simultaneously I have believed a teacher is born, not bred; and I was born to be in theatre, and now, with a few years behind me; I'm ready to pass on what I have learned. At the risk of tooting my own horn; I am well trained, professionally, both as an actor and a teacher with more than a few credentials to support those claims. I invite you to please peruse my background on the site and feel free to ask any questions you desire.
Regarding Texas Hold 'em (poker), I have been playing, teaching (the game) and working for online casinos over thirty years. My approach is simple and requires extreme discipline. But I can show you how to win more than you lose. And this is true of all subjects I teach both literally and figuratively.
My undergraduate Bachelors was in Acting & Directing. I was taught by the same professors who launched the students that formed the now famous Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago (Illinois State University). Further, I have a Masters degree in Theatre History and Criticism (Theatrical Critical Theory). I have teaching experience both as a GA and in the private sector. I have been exposed to many different types of teaching styles and locales, (i.e. classroom, studio, virtual et.al). I hope that gives you a thumbnail insight; concurrently, I hope I didn't bore you to death.
Peace and Kindest Regards,
Randy
Reviews
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First off. Just want to say that we had to cancel our first session. However, I really like this guy because he had kept it real and set it straight on the reason why the session was cancel. He was very sick that day and he didn't want to be involved with the session not being at 100%. Respect! I wouldn't have wanted him not being at his best either. Takes alot of guts for a person to confess that. I really appreciated the honesty because that explains how passionate Randy is about the craft.
Second of all, when we did our first session, I had to deal with a rough technical patch of trying g to join in for the session. He had no problem helping me with this technical glitch rather than allowing TakeLessons (who I was unable to reach because of matainace issues), to handle it. He helped 5he TakeLessons team. A plus Randy! Though I had to finally use another device to finally join the session, Randy was still willing to have patience and help me with the tech problem.
Lastly, Randy brought a warm feeling to the session and yet sincere. He made me feel welcomed, which opened me up more during this session. This helped because I am uncomfortable with improv but want to get better. He understood this and gave a real honest approach. Also, he informed me that we were going to get a gist of my performance level and work from there. Furthermore, we were going to ease our way into improvement. This gave me alot more balance than other improv classes. He is even willing to give me a little homework that I can practice in prep for next week.
Randy is very encouraging and I enjoyed our first session. I'm exited for next week!



Randy is a first rate coach. He is knowledgeable, experienced, and with an easy going natural style. Was very adaptable to my level of experience and was patient - no question was too dumb. I highly recommend him without any reservation. I have already booked my next session.


Very uplifting first class. Thank you Randy.

Randy is a genius and is very encouraging! I highly recommend!!


Randy is excellent. His character transcends the need for a review like this, but the fact is, he made it awesome to fight for my first poker lesson over the past two weeks. We haven’t gotten in the software yet, but his exemplary stewardship and expertise has proven a greater boon to me than the best intentions of my initial efforts.

Excellent teaching

Really patient and kind - if you're inexperienced as many of us are - he starts you off with great foundations to work with.

Randy has been instrumental in leading me through the basics and providing insights furthering my awareness to the game of Poker.

I have been taking acting lessons with Randy for several months. He's a good teacher. I've learned a lot and enjoy the lessons. Thanks Randy.

He's been very helpful, patient and good tough love/accountability. I'm very happy to be working with Randy.

It's was the first lesson he seems very educated about poker.

Just the beginning for a beginner (me) in Poker, and Randy hit the right points to start!




Randy is very knowledgeable and patient, as I am a beginner in acting, is teaching me step by step

It was a nice class. Randy gave me some assignment. I am trying to practice those. :)

Randy does an amazing job. I am beginning in acting and trying to discover myself in the acting career. Randy does an amazing job and really helped me set my expectations and eased me into the next lesson. If you want to discover the world of acting you should give Randy a shot, you will not be disappointed with the valuable information he has to offer.

I am very happy I have Randy as my voice trainer. With a solid experience in acting, Randy helps you develop your vocal strengths. He helps identify and overcome any weaknesses, with amazing and effective exercises.

He's a great teacher who really knows what he's talking about! Now we are moving to poker sites, (Betonline), and playing for real as are next lessons!
Photos & Videos
7 Photos & VideosExperience
ALL FORMAL ARTS TRAINING
Jan 1984 - Aug 2015Illinois State University. Illinois Shakespeare Festival, The Audition Studio, Players Workshop of Second City
Illinois State University MS in Theatre History & Criticism 2015 Illinois State University BFA in Acting 1989 Apprenticeships Ill Shakespeare Festival x 2 1988 &1989 Players Workshop Improv. (all terms, 1-6) x 2 Steven Roath The Audition Studio Cold Reading II Pat Van Oss The Audition Studio On Camera II Rachel Patterson
Adjunct Instrctor
Aug 2012 - May 2014Illinois State University
This would reflect my serious academic training on the job if you will. I was responsible for a class per semester with autonomy.
Actor
May 1989 - Nov 1998Various
I have performed on the off-loop Chicago stage in numerous roles for a variety of companies. And essentially, that is a large component of the information an actor needs to learn, the business of being an actor. Make no mistake; it is a business. You are your own product. Personally, I have received great reviews and I never stopped training, always took/taking classes, forming groups and most importantly staying in touch with the agencies that work to book work for me. I offer more "academic" work in acting et.al as well, please review my background. I also invite you to review the institutions where I learned what I know, earned my degrees and created the teacher your reviewing at this moment. I have been trained in many areas of the theatre, acting certainly is my primary forte. Having been "out there," waiting in some casting director's office (after waiting a year to get him to know I was alive), in an office filled with a bunch of ginger lookalikes. It was a Ron Weasley festival. Along with the anecdotes very specific approaches are required to get the call-back. The way one reads, holds copy, relates to the camera, how speech is utilized creatively, in quality and manner, are all items that need to be addressed just under this one heading. I have many categories for which I am available. I am malleable and tend toward tailoring the work to the student's goals with primacy.
Education
Masters Degree in Theatre History and Critical Theory (Criticism)
Aug 2012 - Aug 2015Illinois State University
Bachelors in Fine Arts, sequence Acting
Jan 1984 - May 1989Illinois State University
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Certifications
Masters Degree in Theatre History and Critical Theory (Criticism)
Aug 2015Illinois State University
Mixologist
May 1995School of Bartending-Schaumburg, IL
Bachelors in Performance/Stage Acting
May 1989Illinois State University
Awards
"A Raisin in the Sun"
Apr 1989American College Theatre Festival
Arts & Letters Invitee
Mar 1989University of Illinois
Dean's List
Apr 1988Illinois State University
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