Paul Kassel

About Paul Kassel

Paul Kassel is the Dean for the College of Visual and Performing Arts and a full professor in the School of Theatre and Dance at Northern Illinois University. Dean Kassel manages the operation of the Schools of Art and Design, Music, and Theatre and Dance. He also oversees the operations of the NIU Museum and the Community School of the Arts (CSA). From July 2013 to July 2015 he was Interim Dean for School of Fine and Performing Arts at SUNY New Paltz, and Associate Dean for two years prior to that. Dean Kassel was a professor of Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz (20••••16) and at Stony Brook University (19••••04) where he taught acting, voice, movement, directing, and directed plays. He was Head of Acting at Bradley University from 19••••98.Dean Kassel’s book, Acting: An Introduction to the Art and Craft of Playing, was published by Pearson in 2006. A new book, The Actor’s Path: An Evolutionary Approach to the Art and Craft of Playing, is currently being revised. He is the emeritus editor of The Players’ Journal, an e-journal by and for actors and teachers of acting. In New York City for eleven years as a professional actor, director, and writer, Dean Kassel worked off, and off-off Broadway, in regional theaters, and in several films and television shows. Dean Kassel has maintained his professional career since entering academia, recently performing the role of “Stage Manager” in Our Town, and \"Martin\" in a Zoom reading of The Humanities, a new play by Zayd Dorhn, both with Kane Repertory Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois. Professor Kassel received his M.F.A. in Performance from the Florida State/Asolo Conservatory of Professional Actor Training. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Screen Actors’ Guild/American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. Professional associations include the International Conference of Fine Arts Deans, the Alliance of Arts in Research Universities, the National Conference of Arts Administrators, and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.Specialties: Administration: Personnel, Enrollment, Curriculum managementTeaching: Fundamentals of Acting, Acting IIActing Styles: Epic, Greek, Chekhov, Shakespeare, Musical TheatreDirectingPlay AnalysisApplied ActingTheater and Neuroscience

Experience

1. Dean

   Northern Illinois University

   May 2016 — Present · DeKalb, IL, US

   The College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University is a major provider of artistic presentations and services to the region in ways that strengthen student learning and faculty and student artistry and research. Vision The College of Visual and Performing Arts is: Engaged -\"Bringing art to audiences and audiences to art\" Inclusive -\"Arts for all; all for the arts\" Boundless -\"Arts across the disciplines\" Strong -\"Art is a noun: people, places, things\"A community of: Artists who are a presence at the highest level nationally and internationally Scholars working at the cutting-edge and appearing in publications of the highest reputation Teachers routinely given the highest commendation by learners and peers Staff that provides the highest level of service, and most importantly Students eagerly sought by industry, graduate school, and public institutions because they know, the make, they do, perform, speak and write with authority, clarity, and purposeWith research excellence in: Arts and Community Engagement - how the arts make, define, and revitalize communities socially, culturally, financially Arts and Health - the effect of arts and art education on cognitive development, mental health, and emotional resiliency STEAM - investigating interdisciplinary opportunities in the art of science (technology, engineering, math) and the science of art Data Visualization and Narrative - converting data into visual, aural, and dramatic narratives to facilitate more effective communication of dataWe are educating the new creative class, Generation Renaissance, who will imagine and make a brighter future.

Education

• Miami University

  BA, Communication and Theatre

  1977 — 1981

• Florida State University

  MFA, Performance

  1981 — 1983

Skills

• Curriculum Innovation
• Directing
• Voice Acting
• Public Speaking
• Student Services
• Teaching
• Acting
• Theatre
• Accreditation
• Faculty Management
• Liberal Arts
• Leadership
• Greek
• Faculty Training
• Musical Theatre
• Strategic Planning
• Music
• Improvisation
• Performing Arts
• Supervisory Skills
• Entertainment
• Producing
• Stage
• Curriculum Assessment
• Academic Administration
• Arts Administration
• Fiscally Responsible
• Shakespeare
• Art
• Curriculum Development
• University Teaching
• Personnel Leadership
• Student Affairs
• Curriculum Design
• Plays
• Higher Education
• Academic Program Management