Chris Giordano
TEACHING...
Mr. Giordano is the Drama and Theatre Director at Great Neck North High School in Long Island, NY. Previously, he was an after-school teaching artist with Play Group Theatre in White Plains, NY, and a Guest Director at Dobbs Ferry Middle and High School in Dobbs Ferry, NY. He has also taught at AMDA College and Conservatory, Inside Broadway, 92nd Street Y, Brooklyn Acting Lab, Camp Broadway, and many other places respectively. He brings twelve years of experience in the theatre industry into his classroom instruction teaching musical theatre, improv, audition technique, acting, scene study, monologues, and business of acting classes from Kindergarten to college conservatory and has directed over twenty educational theatre productions. Chris received his M.S.Ed. in Educational Theatre from The City College of New York, and his BFA in Musical Theatre, BA in Theatre Arts Directing, and a Dance minor from Pace University.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Out of the classroom, I'm constantly always asking questions feeding every bit of my curiosity. It is that curiosity that drives my teaching while I'm engaging my students in a respectful, fun, and intellectual dialogue. I am receptive to their needs and attempt to answer their questions thoughtfully, but relentlessly train them to hone their skills of inquiry. Theatre and teaching are all about asking the right questions.
Recent Teaching Successes...
In school Improv residency at Jill Chaifetz Transfer School in Bronx, NY.
I embrace every student’s individuality. This enables me to develop shared goals in order to personalize my lesson planning to their respective strengths. I believe in consistency in curriculum-based learning balanced with one’s own lesson planning. I’m very adept at personalizing pedagogy on a level that works for the student and situation while taking into account protocols established by the academic institutions.
Being a student does not end with me being a teacher. Reflection is a big part of my pedagogy, both during and after a lesson. I strive for a student-centered approach with an emphasis on theatre skills and technique in all theatre arts content. I keep the students highly engaged, drawing from my professional experience. Through my skill-building assessments, observations, and feedback, I treat all my students as young professionals in the field. I’m passionate about fostering the best possible environment for LGBTQA+ and BIPOC students to express themselves through their artistry. I want all of my students to feel proud of the work they put into the process, a production, or culminating project.
Ultimately, I want them to feel a sense of accomplishment in an effort to create lifelong advocates for the love of theatre.
Production Photo from
The Pajama Game
The last semester, he directed Great Neck North High's production of The Pajama Game. Bringing alive the golden age musical, the show received praise from parents and school administrators.
"[Mr. Giordano] helped open my eyes to a lot of things I’d been putting off confronting — both in the performing arts and in life — and I really enjoyed the learning experiences [he] provided."
- Student, AMDA's Gap Progam
“Chris is an exceptional instructor with an incredible passion for both his craft and his students. He always seeks to give students a well-rounded education in the performing arts while also instilling a need for a work ethic that will prepare them for the outside world. He has a desire to see each of his students succeed in the arts. I have single-handedly seen him inspire his students. I will continue to offer him work, as he is a huge asset to any school he has the chance to teach at.”
- Tayler Green, AMDA National Director of Extension Programs
Chris was the Lead Acting Teacher for AMDA's Gap Program. He created and facilitated a brand new curriculum for college-aged students seeking a well-round introduction to all aspects of theatre.
Chris with a student in his Scene Study class at AMDA.
TESTIMONALS
"I found [his] scaffolding tableau work and musical theatre repertoire to be especially impressive, as he continuously searched for (and found) ways to keep students both engaged and challenged. He strived for actor-centered learning but was always eager to help our students, encouraging them to dig deeper in their process and training as individuals."
Arbender Robinson, Adjunct Professor, New York Film Academy
"With each visit to P.S. 172, Chris was mature, professional, responsible, and a dependable teacher for our students. He truly did an amazing job of budgeting his time to create a quality musical which my students loved performing."
Emily Todras, P.S. 197 Brooklyn Arts Liaison
"His passion for theatre and for teaching is evident in all of the lesson plans that he modeled during any class with confidence. He works well under pressure and was always quick on his feet to adjust lessons to appropriately fit the needs of the classroom."
Sobha Kavanakudiyil, Head of Educational Theatre at City College
"Chris has become very good at developing and maintaining incredible relationships with his students. He is able to create an environment of high expectations, but with appropriate supports that make the students feel safe to take risks and welcome in his classroom at all times."
Krystal Murtagh, Jill Chaifetz Transfer School
"Chris’s strength as a professional is his continual reflection. He is truly committed to providing the very best learning experience for our students."
Laura Cascioli, Todd Elementry School
"Chris brought with him a solid training in pedagogical methods and musical theater, along with great energy, enthusiasm and a positive attitude."
Lisa Angel, Arts Liaison, P.S. 97 Brooklyn