William Hancock-Brainerd

Areas of Expertise

• Alexander technique, Lecoq based ensemble devising and movement pedagogy

Education

• BFA in acting, University of Rhode Island (2006)
• MFA in Lecoq-based actor-created theater, London International School of Performing Arts/Naropa University (2008)

View My CV

What's My Why?

As a theater teacher, I am invested in developing not only a technically competent student-performer, but one who also has an awareness of themselves in the context of the group, the field in general and of art making in connection to daily life. To that end, the studio environment I co-create with my students is one focused on pedagogical transparency, curiosity about the form and a focus on using the roots of theater to embody, analyze and build a world in which sensitivity, honesty, trust and deep respect for the human are valued as the height of this craft.

Professional Experience

Outside of Salve, I have taught theater classes, workshops and guest lectured at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, Trinity Rep, Gamm Theatre and Rhode Island College. I am also an AmSAT-certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, having completed the three-year (1600-hour) Alexander Teacher Training at the Minnesota Center for the Alexander Technique and offer private lessons at my home studio in Newport. In addition to being an educator, I am a maker of theater, having produced raucous multi-genre original plays for 10 years with the company Strange Attractor as well as having acted locally with the Gamm, Wilbury, 2nd Story and with Perseverance Theatre in Juneau, Alaska. I currently make collaboratively created, civic-focused work with my creative partner Rebecca Noon and many others under our umbrella project, Center Aquidneck.