Acting/Vocal Coaching - Meisner for Musical Theatre
Helping musical theatre performers master the Meisner technique so they can stop
'performing' and start living truthfully on stage.
Have you ever left an audition or a rehearsal feeling like you were just "going through the motions"?
Many musical theatre performers struggle with the pressure to be "big" or "theatrical." But in that effort to impress, the most important thing often gets lost: the truth. When you're focused on how you look or sound, you stop listening, and the audience stops believing.
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You don’t have to "fake" it to be powerful.
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I’m excited to announce a new coaching focus specifically for musical theatre performers who want to master the Meisner technique. My approach focuses on the reality of doing, truthful listening, and emotional preparation—helping you move away from "indicating" and toward deeply grounded, authentic performances. As both a director and music director, I can guide you through a comprehensive musical theatre package for auditions or working on a role. With former students working on Broadway, national tours, regional theatres, cruise ships, and summer stock, I can help prepare you!
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Here is how we can transform your craft:
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Book a Free Consultation: We’ll talk about your goals and where you feel stuck.
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Train Your Instincts: Get out of your head and into the moment.
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Command the Stage: Show up to your next audition with the confidence that only comes from truthful behavior.
Stop "acting" and start living truthfully on stage.
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Talk soon!
I am a Designated Meisner Teacher, having trained with Scott Trost and the Meisner Institute, as well as with master teacher Jim Wise at Penn State.
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Student testimonials:
"Richard really knows how to talk about the topics in an effective way that is understandable and able to be applied."
"I feel like I’m a much better performer and actress. It was a pleasure to be a part of his class!"
"Richard is a phenomenal professor who is incredibly insightful and good at pushing actors towards performing at a higher level. He creates a very warm, fun, and vibrant classroom environment."
"Richard has taught me so much. This class allowed me to put all of the skills I'm learning into practice and real-life situations. I am now way more confident in auditions."
"I feel like I’m growing, not just as a performer, but as an artist and storyteller, and so much of that comes from the space you create in class.
"You have such a gift for bringing out the best in all of us. The way you challenge us to dig deeper, to trust ourselves, and to find honesty in our work has been so inspiring. The care and passion you bring to every class and discussion really make such a difference."
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From Cabaret at Nazareth University,
Directed By Richard Biever.
Work Experience
Education
CV
MFA, Theatre, Penn State University, 2010
Concentration: Directing for the Musical Theatre Stage Monograph: Directing Sunday in the Park with George Advisor: Susan H. Schulman
Bachelor of Music Education, Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music 1989
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American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC, 1981-82
Associate Professor and Music Director of Music Theatre
Baldwin Wallace University, 2025 -
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Program Director of Musical Theatre and Assistant Professor of Musical
Theatre, Nazareth University, 2023-2025
Program director and professor in a nationally recognized musical theatre program, teaching musical theatre performance, history, directing and directing/music directing productions. The mt history course was designated a DEIB course for the university.
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, Wichita State University, 2022-23
Taught acting, musical theatre performance, auditioning, and musical theatre history. Coordinator of Musical Theatre Incubator Program. Directed Pippin and The Fox Sisters. I also created, arranged, music directed, and directed the First Year Showcase.
Assistant Teaching Professor, Penn State, 2020-21
Teaching MFA directors, focusing on directing for the musical theatre. Courses include directing seminars, advising MFA thesis projects (The Wild Party, Brigadoon), and rehearsal methods, and Teaching BFA musical theatre actors. Courses: Directing Seminars, 3rd Year studio
Adjunct, Penn State University, 2018-2021
Intro to Directing for Theatre Majors and Minors
Introduction to Musical Theatre - General Education course
Publications and Appearances
“Neo-Musical Comedy: How Little Shop of Horrors Influenced The Musical Theatre from 1990-2021” Mid Atlantic Theatre Conference, 2023
Professional Memberships
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Music Theatre Educators Alliance
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Artistic Director, Singing OnStage Productions, New York City
Singing OnStage’s mission was to discover and develop new musicals and bring some forgotten gems back in the spotlight.
New Musicals Directed and Produced
Harmony, Kansas, by Anna Jacobs/Bill Nelson, The Barrow Group, NYC 2010
Nightfall, by Caleb Hoyer, The Barrow Group, NYC 2011
Starring Anne Bobby, Sandy Binion, Jason Michael Snow
Older Shows
Smile, The Barrow Group, NYC 2010
Starring Lewis Cleale, Michelle Ragusa
Singing OnStage’s mission was to discover and develop new musicals.
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The State Theatre, State College, PA 2012-2014 Artistic Director Performing arts theatre, including theatre, dance, music, films. Scheduled and produced over 200 events per year with a staff of six and a budget of $1.2 million.
FUSE Productions, State College, PA, 2014-2021
Independent professional theatre company that brings together local actors, Penn State students and professors, and AEA Guest Artists to create exciting and meaningful theatre experiences. I’ve produced and directed over 20 main stage productions, produced monthly musical theatre cabarets, one TYA show, and 2-4 contemporary play readings each season. Developed new musicals, including one TYA show called The Prince’s New Pet.
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National Tours - Music Director
Little Shop of Horrors, National and European Tours, Music Director
Oil City Symphony, National Tour, Music Director, played role of “Mark”
International Tours - Music Director
Little Shop of Horrors, Music Director/Conductor/Pianist
West Side Story, Music Director/Conductor
Off-Broadway - Director
Side by Side by Sondheim, Laurie Beechman Theatre, NYC
Starring Sally Wilfert, Kate Weatherhead, Paul Anthony Nelson, Barbara Walsh
Smile with members of the original Broadway cast, including Jodi Benson and Anne Bobby,
Feinstein’s/54 Below, Jennifer Tepper, Producer
