David Gideon(I)

David was born in New York City, but grew up mostly in Monsey, NY. After Franklin and Marshal College where he worked with directors Hugh Evans and Ed Brubaker, he began studying with Lee Strasberg at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York in 1971, and continued studying with him until his death in 1982; a period of eleven years. At Mr. Strasberg's urging, and under his tutelage, David began teaching his work at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York in 1976. He remained there as a teacher for fifteen years. In addition to the regular classes taught at his school, he was selected as one of a handful of teachers to teach classes for The New York University Undergraduate Drama Department, Tisch School of the Arts, and taught that program for thirteen years beginning in 1978. In 1978, Mr. Strasberg appointed him as the Director of his New York school; as such David was responsible for coordinating all classes and programs. In 1990, he was appointed to the position of Producing Director of The Lee Strasberg Creative Center. David's private coaching in acting and public speaking has included working with major personalities such as Canada's Prime Minister, The Right Honorable Joe Clark. Many of his students have achieved a high level of success in film, television, and theater. These include Karen Allen, Bridget Fonda, Ed Norton, Connie Nielsen, Adam Sandler, John Leguizamo, Bradley Cooper, Katherine Erbe, Jesse Martin,and Ken Marino among others. David's work is well known in the European theater and film community. Over the years, many actors have come to this country specifically to study with him, and he was featured in the Canal+ documentary for European television on The Actors Studio and its work. Additionally, since October, 2009 David has been invited to represent Lee Strasberg's teaching at Metodi Festival. This annual event is a compendium of the top teachers of the various branches of Method Acting from around the world. In 2015 he was invited to introduce his work to actors in Africa and teach in Accra, Ghana. In June 1991 David resigned from the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in order to form his own independent classes known as The Acting Class. These classes, for professional actors, operate continually throughout the year. In September, 1995 he was invited to teach the scene study classes for The MFA Program in Dramatic Arts at The Actors' Studio Drama School/New School University, and in 1996 added a class in Classical Theater. He left The Actors Studio/New School University program, and in September, 2007 I joined the faculty of Purchase College, SUNY.