Biography

BRYNA WORTMAN, Associate Professor URI Theatre. A born and bred New Yorker, Bryna graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University with an A.B. in English, concentrations in Dramatic Literature (Shakespeare), Writing and Literary Criticism and a large helping of the other Liberal Arts. After a stint in Publishing as a print editor and audio/visual producer/director, she shifted gears and earned an MFA in Theatre Directing (Thesis Production OTHELLO starring then undergraduate Jimmy Smits) at Brooklyn College, CUNY. Bryna’s directing work in NYC off and off-off Broadway included work with Mr. Smits, Linda Hunt, and the late, great Miss Colleen Dewhurst in productions at The Women’s Project (LITTLE VICTORIES), The Actors Studio (THE CHERRY ORCHARD) and Circle Repertory Company where she was awarded an NEA Directing Grant to work on new play development. Having directed and taught acting and directing at Brooklyn College Prep, Marymount Manhattan College, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the universities of Iowa and Wisconsin, Bryna joined the URI Theatre Faculty in 1999 where she headed the Acting and Directing programs, mentored multiple Advanced Student Directing Projects, coached Irene Ryan candidates often to semi finalist and finalist positions and directed 31 productions ranging from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, GRAPES OF WRATH, DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, MERCHANT OF VENICE, AN IDEAL HUSBAND, IN THE NEXT ROOM, ALL MY SONS, THE LARAMIE PROJECT, SEMINAR, GOOD PEOPLE AND THE GREAT GATSBY, organizing and moderating post panel discussions and Q&As. Bryna also directed productions at other Rhode Island theatres. She is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers ad The League of Professional Theatre Women. Bryna is most proud of her URI work helping students to realize their full potential, her years on the A&S Curriculum Committee, her annual contributions to Diversity Week, and for directing powerful, humane and critically acclaimed productions with talented student, faculty and Guest Artist collaborators. Bryna, her dear husband Bill and their beloved cat, Hudson, plan to move from NY to RI. In future Bryna looks forward to directing, writing, an enjoying the miracle of life.