Timothy Askew

Theatre Director, Actor, and Teaching Artist

"I was struck by the sensitive ease with which he handled actors. Clearly his own experience as an actor informs and helps his skill as a director. He also proved a most congenial colleague. Anyone with a chance to work with him is much to be envied." 

-Michael Langham, Director & Former Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival


Teaching

 


A Little of my Philosophy:

 

In order to effectively communicate with my students I constantly refine my own process, articulate and distil my ideas to further my own understanding of theatre and my craft. As a professional actor, director, and teacher, I am regularly confronted with the question: what makes theatre and live performance compelling? When theatre moves me, compels me, affects me, what is it that is so powerful? Is it the visuals – the lights, the stage composition, and flow of the action? Is it the actors’ authenticity or their ability to share without effort? Is it their ability to make me believe, or merely their ability to be heard? In my work I continue to grapple with this vital question for the continued survival and relevance of the art of theatre and myself as an artist. 

My goal is always to create a classroom environment that students do not want to miss. I want the environment of my class to be passionate, fun, and rewarding, as well as challenging. It’s imperative that I bring to my class a sense of joy and freedom in order to create a place of trust where my students feel safe to take risks and be vulnerable. I lead and participate in warm-ups and group exercises during the initial weeks of a term, and, in order to further their growth as artists and people, I eagerly share my craft, my knowledge, my love for acting, and creating theatre. The more personal my connection to what I teach, the more I am able to inspire my students.


 Experience


Full-Time Teaching Appointments

Sept 2011 – April 2013 Teaching Assistant, York University, Department of Theatre

 

Part-Time Teaching Appointments

January - April 2015    Tutorial Instructor, Sheridan College, Music Theatre Performance Program,

Oakville, ON, Canada

January - April 2014    Studio Instructor, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada

June – August 2012    Staff Acting Instructor/Guest Artist, No Strings Theatre, Toronto, ON, Canada 

June – August 2011     Staff Acting Instructor/Guest Artist, No Strings Theatre, Toronto, ON, Canada

December 2009          Guest Artist Directing Instructor, Stratford Central High School, Stratford, ON Canada

January 2005              Guest Artist Instructor, Department of Theatre, College of Fine and Applied Arts

                                      University of Akron, Akron, OH USA 

April – June 1995        Acting Instructor, Canton Players Guild, Canton, OH USA

June – August 1992    Guest Artist Instructor, Objective Drama Program, University of California, Irvine

                                      Irvine, CA USA

 

Courses Taught

UNDERGRADUATE  LEVEL

 

Winter 2015     62 and 66MT Acting Tutorial     Faculty of Animation, Arts, and Design     Sheridan College

Acting Tutorial Instructor

Tutoring and coaching individual students on selection material and the application of fundamental acting processes on scenes and monologues in development for end-of-term acting jury presentations. 

 

Winter 2014     FA THEA 1520   Department of Theatre    York University

Section Studio Instructor under Course Director Michael Kelly

Introduces students to the following fundamental acting concepts: breath/alignment/basic voice work, brief physical warm-up, group work, and improvisation; and the following technique concepts: trusting impulses, objectives, tactics, obstacles, analysis and exploration of monologues and journal writing.

 

Winter 2013    FA THEA 1011   Department of Theatre    York University

Teaching Assistant for Course Director Professor Gwen Dobie

Continues the exploration of the principles, processes and skills of acting for the stage commenced in FA/THEA 1010 3.00, with a particular emphasis on basic script analysis and the rehearsing and performing of monologues and scenes. A practical studio course with is a strong written component to the curriculum.

 

Fall 2012    FA THEA 1010   Department of Theatre   York University

Teaching Assistant for Course Director Professor Gwen Dobie

Introduces the principles, processes and skills of acting for the stage. Students will rehearse and perform a variety of class presentations, and actively participate in warm- ups, theatre games and acting exercises. A practical studio course with a strong written component to the curriculum.

 

Winter 2012     FA THEA 1011        Department of Theatre       York University

Teaching Assistant for Course Director Professor Gwen Dobie

Continues the exploration of the principles, processes and skills of acting for the stage commenced in FA/THEA 1010 3.00, with a particular emphasis on basic script analysis and the rehearsing and performing of monologues and scenes. A practical studio course with is a strong written component to the curriculum.

 

Fall 2011   FA THEA1010   Department of Theatre   York University

Teaching Assistant for Course Director Professor Gwen Dobie

Introduces the principles, processes and skills of acting for the stage. Students will rehearse and perform a variety of class presentations, and actively participate in warm- ups, theatre games and acting exercises. A practical studio course with a strong written component to the curriculum.


Some Feedback:

Each week I was able to witness Timothy teaching with a commendable level of expertise, patience, kindness, and clarity. He was able to challenge the students that needed it, offering specific and clear direction and feedback. For the students that were destined for management or design, he was able to frame the exercises in a useful and supportive manner- offering personal growth for non-actors, particularly marginalized groups, through the use of drama techniques. His classroom was a positive enriching environment.
— Gwen Dobie, Director & Choreographer, Associate Professor of Theatre, York University
Hi Tim, I just wanted to let you know that I have improved a great deal because 
of the comments and ideas you helped us explore (in so much depth) this term. I owe much of my achievements these past few weeks to your dedication as our TA.
Thanks so much for everything, and God bless.
— Elizabeth, student at York University
I don’t know if you’ve seen the list of those who got into Acting Conservatory, but I made it! And so did a few others from the class (not surprised at all). I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for teaching me so much this semester. Your feedback was always fantastic. I do need to work on throwing myself into things and getting messy, and I really hope to be able to do that in the rest of my time here at York. I’m trying to take the words “savage imagination” into all of the work that I do from now on.
I hope to be able to work with you in the future. Again, thank you so much.
— M., Student at York University

To Request copies of my Teaching Philosophy, Academic CV,

and/or Student Evaluations, please complete the form below. 


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