Zenon Kruszelnicki

Zenon Kruszelnicki is thrilled to contribute his extensive professional experience to the students of Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, where he will be engaging with both BA and MFA students in the UAE.

Zenon holds two M.F.A. degrees—one in Theater Directing from The Actors Studio Drama School at The New School University in the USA, and another in Acting and Puppetry from The National Academy of Theatre Arts in Poland. His M.F.A. thesis dissertation, titled Characteristics of Kathakali Theatre, involved traveling to India to study the places, origins, and living culture of Kathakali.

Zenon brings a rich and diverse background to his teaching. He is a lifetime member of prestigious organizations, including The Actors Studio, the International Federation of Actors, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, SAG-AFTRA in the USA, ITI in the UAE, and Actors Equity (ZASP) in Poland.

During his formative years, Zenon studied with Rena Mirecka and Zygmunt Molik, both of Jerzy Grotowski's Laboratory Theater, where he explored advanced methods of improvisation within structure, montage of physical action, plastic exercises, and vocal production.

Zenon's directing and teaching career spans various institutions such as The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and New York Film Academy in New York City. He has directed annually at SUNY Purchase, one of the USA’s foremost conservatories, and has worked extensively with renowned Off-Broadway theaters, including the Neighborhood Playhouse, La MaMa, Paul Sharpe Contemporary Art, Theatre for a New Audience, Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons, Vineyard Theatre, and the Cherry Lane Theatre, collaborating on multiple acclaimed productions.

His contributions have been recognized with the prestigious Liberace Scholar Award and The Candle of Understanding Award from the Braille Institute of America for his work on Talking Books. Zenon also co-produced a documentary about the making of Andrzej Zulawski's 1982 cult classic Possession, starring Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani.

Internationally, Zenon has shared his expertise at London's Studio National Theatre, where he led a workshop for emerging directors on the Graphical Method of Text Analysis and presented a graphical production project on The Cherry Orchard. He has taught acting workshops at London's Central School of Speech & Drama and numerous other venues worldwide. Additionally, Zenon worked as a dialect coach for renowned actor Willem Dafoe, collaborating with the Wooster Group on their production Poor Theater.

Zenon's teaching style reflects his international sensibility, wide-ranging professional experience, and dedication to both the craft and his students. He fosters a dynamic and supportive environment, empowering actors to surpass their limits and tap into their full creative potential. His approach combines playfulness with precision, offering deep insight into character development and a profound love for the art of performance.

Zenon speaks Polish, English, Russian, German, and Italian.

Zenon Kruszelnicki,

Lead Tutor - Acting