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"The theatre is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed. It requires tough and devoted people to keep it alive."
—John Steinbeck |
Testimonials
"Ken was a student of mine at the ACT Training Program, but from there we have become colleagues, friends, bosses, co-workers and co-theatre enthusiasts. He is a major theatre force in the Bay Area and around the country: director, actor, teacher, performer, arts advocate, theatre manager, etc. He has a special knack in training young artists… His focus and energy is unparalleled; great sense of humor and fun."
Lawrence Hecht, Chair of Acting
National Theatre Conservatory
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Lawrence Hecht, Chair of Acting
National Theatre Conservatory
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Robert Dornhaus, Alice Grindling in THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
Sonoma County Repertory Theater. Photo by Jeff Thomas.
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"Ken is an inspired and resourceful teacher, a deeply insightful director, a fascinating and truthful actor, a comic wizard, an artist of integrity and great wisdom, a trusted colleague, and a treasured friend." Bob Vernon Associate Artistic Director Seacoast Repertory Theatre |
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"I very much enjoyed Ken’s stimulating direction of Kushner’s Angels in America. His knowledge of the material and style made the performance presentationally grand, without sacrificing the humanity of the characters, the intimacy of the relationships, nor the importance of the social message. His eye for detail, imaginative staging, and deep understanding of human behavior took the material to a higher level, making the student actors’ performances unforgettable." Kay Kostopoulos, Lecturer Stanford University Department of Drama |
Tom DeFazio, Hayley Higgins, Alena Galenchik, Jasmine Morgan in
ANGELS IN AMERICA: PERESTROIKA. University of San Francisco.
Photo by Rob Kunkle.
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Brandon Jackson, Dale Albright in TAKE ME OUT.
Dragon Productions Theatre Co.
Photo by Fist Full of Photos.
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"At this point, I truly can’t imagine anyone but Ken shepherding the project. I have known him for years and have always known him to have the exact mix of spirit needed for this kind of show: empathetic, a person of strong convictions, a team player, fun and all around good guy. He has a passion and knowledge for baseball and the art. As I am answering this question, I find myself getting very emotional, actually (and, like Mason: “I never cry about anything!”). I’m just so thankful that he was the person to help bring this project to life." Dale Albright "Mason Marzac" in Take Me Out TBA Award Best Actor Dragon Productions Theatre |
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"How do I convey how thrilled we were to see what you did with Tartuffe? Your production is so vital and energetic and non-stop funny with bits of humor embedded everywhere. I love how the cast embraced the cross-gender role playing and brought out the humor in the cultural norms of male and female without even a whiff of mockery. The actors appeared to find the amusing character traits that accompany assigned gender norms and brought them alive in their characters, giving life to the idiosyncrasies of HUMAN behavior, neither male nor female, and BOTH male and female. Damis' man spreading, Marianne's hands with a seeming life of their own, Evan's saucy Maid Dorine with the flicks of her hair, very RuPaul's Drag Race! The costumes, the wigs, the music, the little dances (Tartuffe and Elmire's tango!), the way the characters moved through space externalizing the dynamics in the dialog was amazing. It was an inspired idea to cast your production this way. The physical humor and the impeccable timing were delightful to watch. It really changes Molière for me! Bravo/brava to you and all your cast and crew. A terrific night of theater!"
Cass Brayton a.k.a. "Sister Mary Media" The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence |
Aly Suleman, Katie Sims, and Evan Boukidis in TARTUFFE.
University of San Francisco. Photo by Cheshire Isaacs.
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Michael Patrick Gaffney in THE OLDEST LIVING CATER WAITER. 42nd Street Moon. Photo by DC Scarpelli.
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"I love this man so much. Ken Sonkin has been with me on this Cater Waiter journey for years now. He has been an extraordinary collaborator and director and I am forever grateful to him. Let’s do this!" Michael Patrick Gaffney The Oldest Living Cater Waiter 42nd Street Moon |
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"Almost four years ago Forest and I took Ken Sonkin's Personal Clown class at USF where we were encouraged (forced) to get out of our own heads and be in the moment. Tonight we reunited with Ken at a screening of "Rocket" in SF where I got to show him my Student Academy Award and talk to him about how much that class, and everything he taught us, meant to me. Thanks for being one of the greats, Ken!" Brenna Malloy Director, Chicago Fire, 9-1-1 Student Academy Award Winner USF Alumn, 2016 |
Ken Sonkin, Brenna Malloy, and Forest Neikirk.
San Francisco Screening of ROCKET.
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Acting Foundations Class, University of San Francisco. Photo by Natalie Turgeman.
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"Hi Ken, I just wanted to properly thank you for being such an amazing professor and actor. I am very glad and really lucky that I was able to take your class this semester. It was one of the few places in SF that I could chill out but also learn more about myself and acting. You're a phenomenal teacher and an amazing artist. I hope your future students know how fucking lucky they are to have you for the semester. To be able to say that you were my teacher is an honor. Thank you for everything!"
Josine Torres Acting for Non Majors, USF |
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"I am grateful to have had the opportunity to take two separate classes with you. You are always pushing us to look deeper and engage more, and I feel like I have improved so much as an actor from your training. I appreciated the continual support and encouragement. Thank you for all that you do, and thank you for being such a dedicated, sincere teacher. I hope for everyone to have a professor like you." Chaitrika Budamagunta Acting II: Scene Study, USF |
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Ashlyn Wiebe, Bex Brzostoski in ALMOST, MAINE. Remote Scene Study Class. University of San Francisco, Fall 2020.
“In a semester that has been unprecedentedly overwhelming and discombobulated, this course, and Ken’s thoughtfulness, engagement, and passion for the craft of acting, has been my saving grace. While every other class feels stressful, confusing, and over bearing, this course consistently receives my utmost effort and attention. I get excited to come to class, something I haven’t felt since being in person class last year. I am extremely grateful for Ken who expertly balances having meaningful content, fruitful conversations in class, and well thought out assignments and timelines. Other professors could learn from the way Ken has balanced in class contribution and meaningful homework assignments, to encourage the utmost collaboration and participation with my classmates and I. I will miss this class and am sad to see it come to a close, but grateful for all I learned.”
Ashlyn Wiebe
Scene Study, USF
Ashlyn Wiebe
Scene Study, USF
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“Taking this class was an opportunity to be in school and learn a skill far from what might be required in my career. It was truly wonderful to dip my toes in such a craft. By far, I feel like the acting classroom has been the most real space I have been in while at the University of San Francisco. The people, the professor, and the energy are unparalleled to that of any other class I have taken.” Juan Pedro Luna Acting Foundations, USF |
Juan Pedro Luna, Patricia Graham in ALL MY SONS. Remote Acting Foundations, USF. Spring 2020.
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Kaitlin Sanders, Katie Robinson in SPIKE HEELS. Remote Scene Study Class. University of San Francisco, Fall 2020.
“Ken- You have honestly been one of the most influential professors I have had during my time at USF. You have been an integral part of my senior year and being able to work with you one-on-one this year has been such a gift. From the Careers class (which was so so helpful, I know how to file my taxes now--yay!) to being able to work on my acting in Scene Study. I have learned so much that I am excited to take into my career. I hope you know how much your passion impacts your students and I feel so so so lucky to have worked with you. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I am so so appreciative."
Kaitlin Sanders
USF Class of 2021
Scene Study, Careers in Theater
Kaitlin Sanders
USF Class of 2021
Scene Study, Careers in Theater
Nick Sholley, Erik MacRay in LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES.
Porchlight Theatre Company. Photo by Gabe Maxson.
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"I enlisted Ken’s skills as a stage combat and movement consultant on my production of Big Love. Safety is his first order of business. He staged very intense stage combat in a fun, disciplined and nurturing atmosphere. The student actors learned to care for one another while not losing the passionate fervor that the story requires. His professionalism and wicked sense of humor were a wonderful addition to the rehearsal atmosphere. I came to rely on his innate spatial sense within the arena of the play. He continually encouraged us all to think outside the norm of audience expectation." Molly Noble, Teacher, Director Drama Department College of Marin |
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