Dr. Steve Snyder

Biography

Steve Snyder teaches Acting in the BFA, MFA, and BA performance programs at the School of Theatre. He directed the year’s production of 'Twelfth Night'. Since 2015, Steve has been at Penn State after serving as the lead professor in the Performance Department at Bradley University for nine years. At Bradley, he created a collaborative relationship with the House Theatre Chicago, resulting in a devised production of 'Pinocchio'. He was invited to teach at Bradley's Honors Program and led multiple excursions and training courses in London, directing fifteen productions during his time there. He was honored with the university’s Caterpillar Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007. Steve's work combines Meisner technique with Stanislavski-based approaches, Physical Theatre techniques, and Shakespearean methods, helping actors create deeply personalized performances. He has been a professional theatre actor, director, writer, and teacher for over 20 years, working with notable companies including American Players Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Alongside his wife, Libby, he created the Lion's Heart Theatre Company, producing various performances. Steve earned his MFA from Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory and has trained with notable figures in theatre education. He is a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association.

Research Interests