Jack Garfein Legendary Director and Acting Teacher Opens New Studio in New York

Jack Garfein, one of the film and theater industry's leading acting teachers, has reopened his acting studio in NYC. Garfein played a key role at The Actors Studio and in the development of The Actors Studio, West and The Strasberg Theatre Institute. On Theater Row, he created the Harold Clurman and Samuel Beckett Theaters. Over the years Garfein produced and directed over 20 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions and directed the groundbreaking films, THE STRANGE ONE and SOMETHING WILD.

He worked with Henry Miller, Samuel Beckett, Sean O'Casey and directed a who's who of twentieth century actors -- Uta Hagen, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Elaine Stritch, Jean Stapleton, Doris Roberts, Juliette Binoche; and he discovered Ben Gazzara, Steve McQueen, George Peppard, and Bruce Dern. He also gave James Dean his first role in The Actors Studio production of End as a Man.

Garfein is excited about returning to New York after having spent the last 20 years teaching at his Paris studio. During this time, he also taught and directed in London, Vienna, Madrid, and Jerusalem. "Like Peer Gynt, I traveled the world and finally came back to my creative home -- New York City," the director said. "It is the place where I want to impart everything I have learned and be inspired again to grow and create new projects."

In talking about his studio, Garfein plans to limit workshops and class size to twelve acting and directing candidates. The tradition of small classes is one that he has established over his 50 years of teaching the craft and art of acting. Garfein also acknowledges the importance of understanding the practice of directing along with the craft of acting.

The Criterion Collection is releasing a restored Special Edition of Garfein's SOMETHING WILD on January 17th which will feature a 2014 Master Class with Jack Garfein, highlighting excerpts from the director's world-famous lectures on acting technique.

In his book, LIFE AND ACTING: TECHNIQUES FOR THE ACTOR, published by Northwestern University Press, Garfein offers the kind of theatrical insight gained only through years of experience and teaching.

For more information, visit www.jackgarfeinstudio.com