Michael Landman joined the Drama Department faculty as Head of the M.F.A. Directing Program in 2004. He is passionate about teaching, and believes in creating opportunities to empower students to reach their full artistic potential.

His professional directing includes numerous collaborations on new works in New York City, as well as directing and assistant directing at the Hamptons Shakespeare Festival, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Shakespeare Theatre. He was co-founder and Artistic Director of the Seven Ages Theatre Company in Austin. He directed and co-authored (with his father) the children’s play Jack and the Giant. With VOX Theatre Company in New York City, he was co-founder and director of The Audition Lab.

Landman’s recent productions include West Side Story and the world premiere of 2 A.M. (Alpha Male), both at the Walton Arts Center, as well as Closer Than Ever, Big Love, Lend Me a Tenor, Comedy of Errors and Love Rides the Rails. His next venture for the University Theatre is Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, as well as mentoring mainstage thesis productions of Our Town and Floyd Collins.

Professor Landman has also taught at Southwestern University, Texas State University, East Stroudsburg University, Marywood University and the University of Scranton.

In the local community, Mr. Landman was elected Chair of the newly created Fayetteville Arts Council and as one of his first duties he has served as a judge for the exciting 24-Hour Play Festival at the Fayetteville Festival of the Arts.  He is currently the Faculty Associate specializing in “Art and Culture in Society” for the Maple Hill Residence Hall and was the University’s Faculty-in-Residence in 2005-2006.

Leisure activities include hiking with two favorite ladies: wife Janie and daughter Jordan. He’s also a speed-chess fanatic and racquetball player and accepts all challenges (typically not at the same time).

 

Education:

B.A., Binghamton University
M.F.A. in Theatre Directing, Columbia University

Major areas of interest:

Directing (Head of M.F.A. Directing Program)
Acting (Scene Study, Shakespeare, Viewpoints, Styles, Auditioning, Stage Combat)
Playwriting (New Play Development, Collaborative Processes)