ACTOR'S STUDIO NYDU MEMBER:
· December 2023 - June 2024
EDUCATION:
• 2004 MFA Directing, David Geffen School of Drama, at 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 TSOA 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: Olympia Dukakis and Ron Van Lieu.
CONTINUED STUDY
• 2009 SITI Theatre Co. 2-week Intensive Study, Viewpoints & Suzuki, Columbia University, NYC
____________________________________________
STAGE DIRECTOR & THEATER ARTIST
I am a theater artist based in Brooklyn, NY, with a professional career that spans over three decades. I am well known as a stage director, a member of SDC (the Stage Directors and Choreographer’s union), and have extensive experience as a playwright, performer, producer, artistic director, and theater-maker. I am also the founder and master teacher the One-Thought-One-Acton (OTOA) performance technique.
As a freelance stage director I have worked in theaters Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, across the country and abroad. I have directed the premieres of new plays, remounted classics, co-translated Sophocles Oedipus Rex, adapted literary works for the stage, led in the creation of originally devised productions, and teamed up to collaborate and direct the premiere of an original, multi-media opera.
I have been referred to as an “Auteur” Stage Director. My work is known for specificity, and a detailed physical and visual approach to storytelling. As a Theater Maker my aesthetic often incorporates a hybrid of experimental and movement-based theater with traditional theatrical conventions and an emphasis on dramaturgy. I often employ stylized movement to reveal the sub-textual landscape.
My interest in directing is grounded in the need for visual story-telling and activating the actors/character’s thinking process. I find the most satisfaction in re-envisioning of classic texts in pursuit of their contemporary resonance.
I am always in search of those rare, magnificent, and often intimate moments where the experience of what it is to be human is revealed and the realm of daily existence is blown open into the miraculous.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR GF&CO (Gia Forakis & Company)
FOUNDED 2011 – 2023
FOUNDER & MASTER TEACHER One-Thought-One-Action (OTOA)™
FOUNDED 2004. TEACHING SINCE 2006
OTOA is the study and practice of identifying smaller increments of thought as smaller moments of physical action. Founded by Master teacher Gia Forakis. OTOA is taught in two applications: first as a practical performance and directing technique referred to as Performance Technique & Training (PTT)TM, benefitting performers, directors, collaborators, theater makers, singers, film public speakers, et.al., and second, as a practical tool for personal and professional growth that I refer to as OTOA Creative Life Practice (CLP)TM, which is open to everyone in any discipline and in every field. I have led workshops and seminars in OTOA across the country and around the globe. A CV is available for OTOA credits. www.OneThoughtOneAction.com
____________________________________________
SELECTED DIRECTING CREDITS
2024 | AFTER OTHELLO: THE MOOR THE MERRIER - USA / NYU Premiere
OCTOBER 24 -27, 2024
Written & Directed by Gia Forakis
Original Concept by Gia Forakis & Adam Boncz
A Co-Production between GF&CO (NYC) & New Stage Theater Company (NYC)
2023 | AFTER OTHELLO: THE MOOR THE MERRIER - Premiere Eastern Europe
Written & Directed by Gia Forakis
Original Concept by Gia Forakis & Adam Boncz
A Co-Production between GF&CO (NYC, USA) & SceneHouse, (Budapest, Hungary)
Premiered
July 1, 2023, at the Kövér Béla Bábszínház
Szeged, HUNGARY,
July 4, 2023, at the 10th Annual International
ITAKA Sekspir Festival, Novi Sad, SERBIA
2022 I AND YOU
by Lauren Gunderson
Bristol Riverside Theater, Bristol PA
2021 THIS IS NOT A CURE: A CEREMONY FOR HEALING
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
Directed & Choreographed by Gia Forakis.
RED CAT Theater, L.A. Opera, Beth Morrison Projects
2014 O.REX
A Greek-Noir* vision of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex,
Conceived & Directed by Gia Forakis
with a new translation by Mark Buchan & Gia Forakis,
GF&CO Production, Alchemical Theater, NYC
*Greek-Noir: a mash-up of Greek Tragedy and Film Noir circa 1940’s American cinema
2014 FATELESSNESS
An original adaptation of Imre Kertész, Nobel Prize winning novel
Co-Adapted for the stage & Directed by Gia Forakis
HERE Arts Center Sublet Series, NYC:
(Nominated for NYIT Award: Outstanding Solo Performance)
A Co-Production between SceneHouse & GF&CO, NYC
2012 (World Premiere) SONG FROM THE UPROAR: THE LIVES AND DEATHS OF ISABELLE EBERHARDT
Premiere of Original, Full-length, Multi-Media Opera, Conceived and Composed by Missy Mazzolli
Created in Collaboration with Gia Forakis, Stephen Taylor, Royce Vavrek
Directed & Choreographed by Gia Forakis.
The Kitchen, NYC, Beth Morrison Projects
2012 THE SALON SERIES
A GF&CO Production
Java Hauz, Brooklyn, NY
A Monthly Showcase 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
A GF&CO Production
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
· May: Chekhov: THE DANGERS OF TOBACCO; A RELUCTANT TRAGIC HERO; SWAN SONG,
· June: Gazzo: (Selected scenes from) A HATFUL OF RAIN
2008-2011 GATES OF EQUALITY
by Stanton Wood
(Remounted Seasonally for Martin Luther King’s Birthday)
-Urban Stages, NYC
*2009 THE SEAGULL: A COMEDY IN 4 ACTS
by Anton Chekhov
(Trns. Paul Schmidt)
-NAATCO, Theatre For a New City, NYC
2009 SONG FROM THE UPROAR
Opera, Chamber Performance
Conceived and Composed by Missy Mazzoli
-Galapagos Art Space, DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY
2008 E-DATING
by Saviana Stanescu
-Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, NYU, NYC
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
2007 - 2008 I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE
By Saviana Stanescu
-Women’s Project, NYC,
(Remounted) WP Gala Event
(Remounted) Make Mine A Million, Pace University, NYC
(World Premiere) World Financial Center, NYC
2007 HEART’S DESIRE
by Caryl Churchill
-The Atlantic Theater Company Acting Program, NYC
2007 THE JEWISH WIFE
by Bertolt Brecht
-Stone Soup Theatre Arts, NYC
2007 HOT DAMN (World Premiere),
by Casey Wimpee
-Binge Festival & Working Man’s Clothes, 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
2005 IRON
by Rita Munro
-The Kitchen Theatre Co., Ithaca, NY
2004 DANCING AT LUGHNASA
by Brian Friel
-Tisch School of the Arts, NYU, 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
(Adaptation)
Berkeley Repertory Theater School, Berkeley, CA
2002 DIVINATION
(Student Devised)
Berkeley Repertory Theater School, Berkeley, CA
DIRECTING CREDITS YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA:
2004 UNCLE VANYA
(Trns Paul Schmidt), by Anton Chekhov, Yale School of Drama, New Haven, CT
2004 LAST OF THE CHATTERBOX WOLVES
(Premiere) by Rolin Jones, Yale School of Drama, New Haven, CT
2003 THE WINTER’S TALE
by William Shakespeare, Yale School of Drama, New Haven, CT
2002 A BOOK OF TWO
by Kathryn Walat, Yale School of Drama, New Haven, CT
2002 LADIES VOICES
by Gertrude Stein, Yale School of Drama, New Haven, CT
2002 CANCER THANKSGIVING
(Premiere) by Jami O’Brien, Yale School of Drama, New Haven, CT
2002 BLOSSOMING ANDROMACHE
(Premiere) by Marcus Gardley, The Yale Cabaret, New Haven, CT
2001 KENNEDY’S CHILDREN
by Robert Patrick, The Yale Cabaret, New Haven, CT
SELECTED ORIGINAL WORKS: Written, Directed & Produced 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
Commissioned as Playwright: Produced by Susan Hefner & Dancers
1994 ANTIGONE DIGS A WHOLE
Epic Proportions Productions
DIA Center For The Arts, NYC
1993 NOTHING 2 FEAR: OR MEDUSA DREAMZ
Epic Proportions Productions
T.W.E.E.D. New Works Festival, Ohio Theater, NYC
1992 THE PURPOSE OF EXISTENCE OR SHOULD I KEEP THE DOG
Pull & Be Damned Productions
Soho Rep., The Field, Field Day Performance Series, NYC
1991 PERSONAL GARBAGE
Pull & Be Damned Productions
Ethnic Folk Arts, NYC
1990 NATIVE TERRITORY
Pull & Be Damned Productions
DIA Center For The Arts, NYC
Castillo Culture Center, Event Of A(ids) R(elated) T(reassures),NYC
1989 MY MOTHER & THE BRIDE
Pull & Be Damned Productions
DIA Center For The Arts, NYC
1988 MEECES
Pull & Be Damned Productions
West Bank Downstairs Theatre Bar, NYC
1987 WHAT’S MISSING? and SLEEP GAMES
Pull & Be Damned Productions
American Jewish Theatre, Signature Series, NYC
FILM
2006 FRAG
Produced, Adapted, Directed: frag
A short 10 min. film based upon the stage play of the same name by Michael John Garcés
AWARDS / RESIDENCIES / SCHOLARSHIPS/ NOMINATIONS:
2019 Hotel New Works (HNW) Residency, TheaterLab, NYC
2013-2019 THE PUTNEY SCHOOL: Residency - A One Week Residency awarded to GF&CO
over seven consecutive years, Putney, VT
2011-2012 MAP FUND: Creative Capital - SONG FROM THE UPROAR: THE LIVES AND DEATHS OF ISABELLE EBERHARDT
- Collaborating Artist & Director. Multi-Media Opera.
2011 Nominee ZELDA FICHANDLER AWARD SDC, (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society) NYC
2011 RESIDENCY for Song From The Uproar The Kitchen, New York, NY
2009 VOICE & VISION RESIDENCY Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
2009 Outstanding Director Nominee NY INNOVATIVE THEATRE AWARD
for BLUE BEFORE MORNING with Seven Nominations in total.
2009/11 Finalist DENHAM FELLOWSHIP SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society), NYC
2009 RESIDENCY: Director Devised Project Grant New Georges Theatre Co., NYC
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, NY
MEMBERSHIP/AFFILIATIONS
SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society) - Union Member
The Field, NYC - Member
Women’s Project Theater Co., NYC - Director’s Lab Alumna
New Georges Theater Co., NYC - Affiliated Artist