Eric Parness
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts

Biography

Eric Parness (he/him/his) is a director, producer, actor, and playwright, serving as Associate Professor of Acting and Directing at Westfield State University. He is also the Artistic Director of Resonance Ensemble, a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway theatre company dedicated to investigating classic theatre pieces and modern plays inspired by them. In addition to directing and/or producing more than 20 shows with Resonance Ensemble, Eric has directed extensively Off-Broadway for companies such as IATI Theatre, Rising Sun Performance Company, Jean Cocteau Rep, and Oberon Theatre Ensemble. Regionally, he has directed productions for the Blumenthal Center in Charlotte, NC, Curtain Call Theatre in Latham, NY, and The Home Made Theater in Saratoga Springs, NY. In addition to directing productions at Westfield State University, Eric has also directed educational theatre for Dean College, Brooklyn College, Marist College, Stern College and Brandeis University. Eric is a graduate of Brandeis University (BA) and Brooklyn College (MFA), and a member of Lincoln Center Theater’s Directors Lab.

Education

  • May 2014: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Theater Directing (Dean’s List). Department of Theater. Brooklyn College (City University of New York), Brooklyn, NY.

  • May 1998: Bachelor of Arts (BA) English and American Literature (minor in Theatre Arts), Brandeis University, Waltham, MA.

Courses Taught

  • THEA 0104: Theatre and Society

  • THEA 0121: Acting Styles

  • THEA 0151: Approaches to Acting

  • THEA 0252: Acting I

  • THEA 0255: Directing I

  • THEA 0260: Script Analysis & Interpretation

  • THEA 0271: Theatre for Social Change

  • THEA 0357: Acting II

  • THEA 0358: Production Seminar

  • THEA 0368: Directing II

  • ENGL 0371: Playwriting

Campus Engagement

  • Fall 2024-Present Member, General Education Assessment Ambassador Group, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2024-Present Departmental Mental Health Liaison to the Counseling Center, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2021-Present & 2018/19 Member, University Curriculum Committee, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2020-Present Member, Faculty Center Advisory Group, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2016-Present Coordinator, Drama Across Disciplines Annual Forum, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2016-Present Faculty Advisor, Student Theatre Association, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2020-Spring 2023 Faculty Advisor, “SOAR” Initiative for Supporting Students of Color in the Arts, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2020-Spring 2021 Member, English Department Curriculum Committee, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2020-Spring 2021 Member, University Student Affairs Committee, Westfield State University
  • Fall 2016-Spring 2020 Advisor, Musical Theatre Guild, Westfield State University
  • Spring 2017-Spring 2018 Advisor, Addiction Awareness Club, Westfield State University

Professional Service

Professional Service and Memberships:

  • 2003-present Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Resonance Ensemble, New York, NY)
  • 2024-present Member, National Alliance of Acting Teachers
  • 2014-present Artistic Ensemble Member, Rising Sun Performance Company, New York, NY
  • 1999-present Company Member, Oberon Theatre Ensemble, New York, NY

Honors and Awards:

  • 2026: Awarded a BOLD (Building Opportunity through Leadership and Development) Bridge Award by the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) Region I, for co-creation and performance of the role of "Bill" in You Don't Belong, a Forum Theatre piece
  • 2025: Named The 2025 National Alliance Acting Teacher of Excellence at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region 1 Festival
  • 2024: Invited to present directing work of Westfield State Production of "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the Region 1 KCACTF (five of 37 eligible productions invited)
  • 2022: Scholarship Showcase Award Recipient, Westfield State University, for recognition of the writing and online presentation of the original play "For the People’s Good"
  • 2021: Teaching Showcase Award Recipient, Westfield State University, for recognition of teaching excellence and for delivering a presentation entitled “Learning and Playing: Using Games to Engage Learners”
Headshot of Eric Parness.