RESUME
Gia Forakis
Theater Artist, Stage Director, Writer for the Stage, Artistic Director of GF&CO
Founder & Master Teacher One-Thought-One-Action (OTOA)™
OTOA Performance Technique & Training (PTT)™ and OTOA Creative Life Practice (CLP)™
Ocean Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11218 USA ▪ EMAIL: Gia4akis@gmail.com
EDUCATION
• 2004 MFA Directing, Yale School of Drama, Yale University, New Haven, CT
• 1983 BFA Acting, Tisch School of the Arts, Conservatory Acting Program,* New York University, NYC
• 1978-1980 Bennington College, Bennington VT
*Now known as The Graduate Acting Program. In 1983, the program was a 3-year Professional Actor’s Conservatory-training program offering both BFA and MFA degrees. I completed the full 3-year program. My acting Professors were: Olympia Dukakis and Ron Van Lieu.
CONTINUED STUDY
• 2009 SITI Theatre Co. 2-week Intensive Study, Viewpoints & Suzuki, Columbia University, NYC
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: GF&CO
Founded 2011: GF&CO (Gia Forakis & Company) is a not-for-profit studio-lab and collective of professional theater artists dedicated to the application of the One-Thought-One-Action (OTOA)™ performance technique, founded by Artistic Director, Gia Forakis. GF&CO is built upon the premise that the arts are where we encounter our humanity, nurture our civility, and fortify our connection to one another. Through the support of producing partners, patrons, and creative institutions, our Mission is to develop and create theatrical performance projects and art events that remind us to foster something larger than our quotidian sense of self.
OTOA is the sister enterprise to GF&CO offering classes, workshops, seminars, and studio labs that are open to the public, as well as GF&CO-member OTOA training, residencies, project development, and collaborative productions.
FOUNDER & MASTER TEACHER: One-Thought-One-Action (OTOA)™
OTOA is the study and practice of identifying smaller increments of thought as smaller moments of physical action. OTOA has two applications. It is taught as a Performance Technique & Training(PTT)™ designed for performers, directors, collaborators, theater makers and public speakers, and also as OTOA Creative Life Practice (CLP)™ open to creative thinkers in any field.
FOUNDER: EPIC PROPORTIONS PRODUCTIONS
1985-97 Founded producing organization, which mounted 17 original works, written for the stage by Gia Forakis, over a period of 12 years.
The Theater Artist & Auteur Stage Director
Gia Forakis a theater artist based in Brooklyn, NY.
She is well regarded as a stage director, teacher, playwright, performer, producer and theater-maker of unconventional works for the stage.
Ever since she began creating works for the stage, Gia has incorporated a hybrid of experimental, movement-based theater with traditional theatrical conventions. Her aesthetic is one of a detailed, physical and vivid approach to storytelling. Through her development and rehearsal process the text becomes a map for discovering and identifying a path of incremental thoughts leading to what is almost a choreographed score of moment-to-moment physical actions.
She achieves this by introducing the principles of her One-Thought-One-Action (OTOA)™ performance technique to each cast of performers whom she is working with. In this way, Forakis aims to create a unified language and frame of reference for structuring the collaboration as they go about building the staged content of the production.
The OTOA process supports Forakis" aesthetic by focusing on what she refers to as the Physical Expression of the Character’s Thinking Process. She often employs choreographed or stylized movement to reveal the sub-textual landscape.
As a director, theater artist and collaborator, Gia finds the most satisfaction in creating adaptations, experimental and devised, ensemble-built original works, or any opportunity to re-imagine a classic text in pursuit of its contemporary resonance.
Her ongoing commitment to the theater comes from a driving desire to create a world of mythical and metaphorical potential that captures the poetic nature of the human condition: an experience for encountering our humanity, nurturing our civility, and the capacity to connect with something larger than our quotidian sense of self.
She is always in search of those rare and magnificent moments when the miraculous is revealed on the stage and the realm of daily existence is expanded into epic proportions.
PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT
- LOVE IN SPACE-TiME: 12 SCENES IN RE-MEMORY, a movement-based performance project, written, directed, choreographed by G. Forakis. Developed by GF&CO (Development History: Script Development Residency, The Putney School, Putney, VT. ,2017; Public Staged Reading, Next Stage Arts Project, Putney, VT., 2018; Movement Development Residency, TheaterLab, Hotel New Works with Open Studio, NYC, 2019; Movement Development Residency, GF&CO Monkey Time, with Open Studio, Alchemical Studios NYC, 2019)
- THE LORD OF PARIS, a new translation by Juju Stulbach, of the 1979 play by Brazilian playwright ___________, Table readings, summer & fall 2019. Selected for Public Reading, Judson Church, October 28, 2020.
- HEDDA TOO: based on Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, conceived by G.Forakis (Exploration workshop, GF&CO, summer 2016, Putney, VT)
- LEAR @ The Table: based on Shakespeare's King Lear, conceived by G.Forakis ((Exploration workshop, GF&CO, winter 2015, spring 2016)
- THE POETICS OF SPACE: Inspirations based on the book by Gaston Bachelard (Exploration workshop, GF&CO, winter/spring 2018, Brooklyn, NY)
SELECTED DIRECTING CREDITS
2015 Remount: SONG FROM THE UPROAR: THE LIVES AND DEATHS OF ISABELLE EBERHARDT
A Multi-media Opera, Conceived and Composed by Missy Mazzolli
Created in Collaboration with: Gia Forakis, Stephen Taylor, Royce Vavrek
REMOUNT: RED CAT Theater, L.A. Opera, Beth Morrison Projects
2014 O.REX: A “Greek-Noir” vision of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex
-a new translation by Mark Buchan & Gia Forakis, GF&CO Production, NYC
2014 FATELESSNESS: An original adaptation of Imre Kertész, Nobel Prize winning novel
Co-adapted for the stage & Directed by Gia Forakis
(Nominated for NYIT Award: Oustanding Solo Performance)
HERE Arts Center, NYC: A Co-Production between SceneHouse & GF&CO, NYC
*2012 Premiere: SONG FROM THE UPROAR: THE LIVES AND DEATHS OF ISABELLE EBERHARDT
Premiere of Original, Multi-media Opera, Conceived and Composed by Missy Mazzolli
Created in Collaboration with: Gia Forakis, Stephen Taylor, Royce Vavrek
Premiere: The Kitchen, NYC, Beth Morrison Projects
2012 THE SALON SERIES -GIA FORAKIS & COMPANY, Java Hauz, Brooklyn, NY
A Monthly Showing of Selected Short Works-In-Progress, April-June 2012, with the GF&CO Member Actors featuring OTOA in Action, Works by:
April: A Greek-Noir* staging of Selected Scenes from Euripides’s Medea
May: A Greek-Noir* staging of Selected Scenes from Anouilh’s Antigone
June: A Greek-Noir* staging of Selected Scenes from Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex
*Greek-Noir: a mash-up of Greek Tragedy and Film Noir circa 1940’s American cinema
2011 THE SALON SERIES - GIA FORAKIS & COMPANY, Java Hauz, Brooklyn, NY
A Monthly Showing of Selected Short Works-In-Progress, March-June 2011, with the GF&CO Member Actors featuring OTOA in Action, Works by:
March: Shaw: How He Lied To Her Husband
April: Strindberg: The Stronger (…Stronger and Stronger)
-an Original Adaptation of Strindberg’s “The Stronger”
May: Chekhov: The Dangers Of Tobacco; A Reluctant Tragic Hero; Swan Song,
June: Gazzo: Scenes from A Hatful Of Rain
2011 GATES OF EQUALITY (Remounted Seasonally Since 2008)
-Urban Stages, NYC
*2009 THE SEAGULL: A COMEDY IN 4 ACTS (Trns Paul Schmidt)
by Anton Chekhov
-NAATCO, Theatre For a New City, NYC
2009 SONG FROM THE UPROAR
Opera, Chamber Performance of a Work-In-Progress
By Missy Mazzoli
-Galapagos Art Space, DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY
2008 LOVE PERSON (NNPN World Premiere)
By Aditi B. Kapil,
-Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley, CA.
2008 BLUE BEFORE MORNING (World Premiere)*
By Kate McGovern
-terraNOVA Collective, DR2 Theatre, NYC,
*Nominated for Seven NYTI Awards, including: Outstanding Director
2008 I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE (Remounting)
By Saviana Stanescu
-Women’s Project Theatre, NYC, Gala Event
2007 LENIN’S SHOE
By Saviana Stanescu
-New York Theatre Workshop, NYC (Staged Reading)
2007 HEART’S DESIRE
By Caryl Churchill
-The Atlantic Theater Company Acting Program, NYC
2007 I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE (Remounting)
By Saviana Stanescu
-Make Mine A Million, Pace University, NYC (Remounting)
2007 THE JEWISH WIFE
By Bertolt Brecht
-Stone Soup Theatre Arts, NYC (Workshop-Performance)
2007 HOT DAMN
By Casey Wimpee
-Binge Festival & Working Man’s Clothes, NYC.
2007 THE STREETCAR PROJECT
Student Collaboration
-Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, NYU, NYC
2007 I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE
By Saviana Stanescu
-Women’s Project, World Financial Center, NYC
2007 PICNIC
By William Inge
-Bay Theatre, Annapolis, MD.
2006 THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND
By Tom Stoppard
-Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, NYU, NYC
2006 THE RIVALS
By Richard B. Sheridan
-Hudson Valley Shakespeare, Garrison, NY
2006 ACTS OF MERCY: PASSION PLAY
By Michael J. Garcés
-Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, NYC
2005 THE WINTER’S TALE
By William Shakespeare
-Milwaukee Shakespeare, Milwaukee, IL.
2005 PORT AUTHORITY THROW DOWN
By Mike Batistick
-Cape Cod Theatre Project, Falmouth, MA (Staged Reading)
2005 UNSTICK THE WOMAN
By A. Rey Pamatmat
-Playwright’s Horizons, NYC (Staged Reading)
2005 IRON
By Rita Munro
-The Kitchen Theatre Co., Ithaca, NY
2004 DANCING AT LUGHNASA
By Brian Friel
-NYU, Tisch School of the Arts, NYC
2004 FRAG
By Michael J. Garcés
-HERE Arts Center, TALR Festival, NYC
2003 COAT HANGER
By Mac Wellman
-WOW-PAC, Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, CT
2002 WABE-SIDE STORY -OF THE JABBERWOCKY
Student Adaptation
-Berkeley Repertory Theater School, Berkeley, CA
2002 DIVINATION
Student Created
-Berkeley Repertory Theater School, Berkeley, CA
*Nominated for Seven New York Innovative Theater Awards, Including Outstanding Director
ADDITIONAL DIRECTING CREDITS
YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA, NEW HAVEN, CT
2004 UNCLE VANYA (Trns Paul Schmidt)
By Anton Chekhov
-Yale School of Drama
2004 LAST OF THE CHATTERBOX WOLVES
By Rolin Jones
-Yale School of Drama
2003 THE WINTER’S TALE
By William Shakespeare
-Yale School of Drama
2002 A BOOK OF TWO
By Kathryn Walat
-Yale School of Drama
2002 LADIES VOICES
By Gertrude Stein
-Yale School of Drama
2002 CANCER THANKSGIVING
By Jami O’Brien
-Yale School of Drama
2002 BLOSSOMING ANDROMACHE
By Marcus Gardley
-The Yale Cabaret
2001 KENNEDY’S CHILDREN
By Robert Patrick
-The Yale Cabaret
SELECTED ORIGINAL WORKS: WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY GIA FORAKIS
1998-99 SOLO ALLEGRO CAPPUCCINO
-Epic Proportions Productions, Access Theater, NYC
-Pulse Theater, OPAL Project, NYC)
-Phantom Theatre, Warren, VT
1996* 200 CHAPTER OF MADNESS
-Susan Hefner & Dancers, HERE Arts Center, TALR Festival, NYC
1994 ANTIGONE DIGS A WHOLE
-DIA Center For The Arts, NYC
-Dixon place, NYC (reading, work-in progress)
1993 NOTHING 2 FEAR: OR MEDUSA DREAMZ
-T.W.E.E.D. New Works Festival, Ohio Theater, NYC
1992 THE PURPOSE OF EXISTENCE OR SHOULD I KEEP THE DOG
-Soho Rep., The Field, Field Day Performance Series, NYC
1991 PERSONAL GARBAGE
-Epic Proportions Productions, Ethnic Folk Arts, NYC
1990 NATIVE TERRITORY
-DIA Center For The Arts, NYC
-Castillo Culture Center, Event Of A(ids) R(elated) T(reassures),NYC
1989 MY MOTHER AND THE BRIDE
-DIA Center For The Arts, NYC
1988 MEECES
-West Bank Downstairs Theatre Bar, NYC
1987 WHAT’S MISSING? / SLEEP GAMES
-American Jewish Theatre, Signature Series, NYC
*COMMISSIONED AS PLAYWRIGHT: Produced by Susan Hefner & Dancers
FILM
Produced, Adapted, Directed: frag
– a short film based on the stage play of the same name by Michael John Garcés
AWARDS / RESIDENCIES / SCHOLARSHIPS/ NOMINATIONS
February 2019: THEATERLab HOTEL NEW WORKS (HNW) RESIDENCY, NYC
- A Two-Week Project Development Residency, Manhattan, NY.
August 2013 -19: RESIDENT ARTIST- THE PUTNEY SCHOOL
- A One Week GF&CO Residency awarded over 6 consecutive years to GF&CO, Putney VT.
2011-2012 MAP FUND: Creative Capital
-Collaborating Artist & Director Multi-Media Opera Composed and Conceived by Missy Mazzoli:
SONG FROM THE UPROAR: THE LIVES & DEATHS OF ISABELLE EBERHARDT
2011 Nominee ZELDA FICHANDLER AWARD
-SDC, (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society) New York, NYC.
2011 RESIDENCY For: Song From The Uproar
-The Kitchen, New York, NY.
2009 VOICE & VISION RESIDENCY
-Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
2009 Nominee INNOVATIVE THEATRE AWARD
-Outstanding Director (BLUE BEFORE MORNING, 7 Nominations)
2009/11 Finalist DENHAM FELLOWSHIP
-SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society) New York, NYC.
2009 RESIDENCY: Director Devised Project Grant
-New Georges Theatre Co. New York, NY
2006 Finalist PHIL KILLIAN FELLOWSHIP
-Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, OR
2002 MARY JEAN PARSON SCHOLARSHIP
-Yale School of Drama, Yale University, New Haven , CT.
1999 ART-WARD BOUND, ARTIST RESIDENCY
-Sponsored by The Field Inc., NYC.
1983 PAULETTE GODDARD AWARD
-Tisch School of The Arts, New York University, NYC
MEMBERSHIP/AFFILIATIONS
SDC Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Member
The Field, NYC
Member
Women’s Project Theater Co., NYC
Director’s Lab Alumna
New Georges Theater Co., NYC
Affiliated Artist