| Bruce Cromer Actor (AEA Member) Acting/Movement Teacher Fight Choreographer Director |
| Resident Artist with the Human Race Theatre Company, Professor of Acting and Movement at Wright State University, and Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors |
| Professional Acting Credits Cincinnati Shakespeare Company - 2005-2008 KING LEAR (Lear), THE TEMPEST (Prospero), WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (George) Shakespeare Festival of New Jersey - 2005-2006 THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Baptista/Grumio), LIFE OF GALILEO (Sagredo/Cardinal Bellarmin) Human Race Theatre Company - 1987-2007 I AM MY OWN WIFE (one person show), THE TEMPEST (Prospero), EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR (Alexander) --- with Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, THE DRAWER BOY (Morgan), THE ODD COUPLE (Vinnie), OF MICE AND MEN (Slim), DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Biff), I HATE HAMLET (Barrymore), MACBETH (Macbeth), NOISES OFF (Gary/Roger), TRUE WEST (Lee), PRELUDE TO A KISS (Peter), BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE (Pato), ORPHANS (Treat), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Dickens, etc.), MRS. CONEY'S CHRISTMAS (James), ANGELS IN AMERICA: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES and PERESTROIKA (Prior Walter), HOMEWARD BOUND (Kevin), BUS STOP (Virgil), KEELY AND DU (Cole), THE SEAHORSE (Harry) Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati - 2002-2006 THE WAYFARER'S REST (Dylan), BLUE/ORANGE (Dr. Robert Smith), UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL (Librarian), staged reading of THE MAIDS (Madame) New Horizon Theatre Company - 2001 ARMS AND THE MAN (Bluntschli) Cincinnati Playhouse - 1997-2007 KING LEAR (Albany), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Scrooge, Bob Cratchit), BARRYMORE (Frank) Repertory Theatre of St. Louis - 2001 KING LEAR (Albany) Rhythm In Shoes at the Victoria Theatre - 2000 NOVA TOWN (Officer Brown) Santa Fe Stages - 1994-97 EINE KLEINE HAMLET (Horatio), A MACBETH (Ross), NEVILLE'S ISLAND (Roy), THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES (Horace), TARTUFFE (Damis), THE ILLUSION (Pleribo, Adraste, Florilame) Milwaukee Repertory Theatre - 1990-91 INHERIT THE WIND (Davenport), YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Tony), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Young Scrooge, Topper) Alabama Shakespeare Festival - 1979-86 HAMLET (Hamlet), ROMEO AND JULIET (Romeo and Tybalt), MACBETH (Macduff), SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL (Charles Surface), DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Hap Loman), KING LEAR (Edgar), RICHARD III (Richmond), ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (Bertram), LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST (Longaville), CYMBELINE (Guiderius), MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Lysander), HENRY IV (Prince Hal), MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Fenton), TWELFTH NIGHT (Sebastian), COMEDY OF ERRORS (Antipholus of Syracuse), TAMING OF THE SHREW (Lucentio), PYGMALION (Freddie), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Proteus), AS YOU LIKE IT (Jacques de Boys) Seattle Children's Theatre - 1988 CAPTAIN FANTASTO (Stan) Clarence Brown Theatre, Knoxville, TN - 1984 RICHARD III (Richmond, First Murderer), THE QUESTIONS OF HAMLET (Horatio, Laertes) Conservatory Theatre Company, Seattle WA - 1981-82 THE GAME OF LOVE AND CHANCE (Mario), THE GLASS MENAGERIE (Tom Wingfield) Wright State Summer Theatre - 1979 RODGERS AND HART (Singer/Dancer), WAIT UNTIL DARK (Mike Talman), LIFE WITH FATHER (Clarence, Jr.), THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (John Worthing) Otterbein Summer Theatre - 1978 YOU KNOW I CAN'T HEAR YOU... (George), LITTLE FOXES (Oscar Hubbard), FORTY CARATS (Peter Latham) |
| Fight Choreography Experience Alabama Shakespeare Festival - RICHARD III, KING LEAR, TWELFTH NIGHT (two productions), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (two productions), ROMEO AND JULIET, MACBETH (two productions), HAMLET, THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM Cincinnati Playhouse - MISS EVERS' BOYS Santa Fe Stages - CHICAGO, THE ILLUSION, EINE KLEINE HAMLET, A MACBETH, CARMEN, NEVILLE'S ISLAND, JOHN WAYNE NEVER SLEPT HERE Human Race Theatre Company - ROMEO AND JULIET, EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR, ORPHANS, TRUE WEST, ANGELS IN AMERICA, CHILDREN OF EDEN, ART Wittenburg University - I HATE HAMLET Chautauqua Theatre of Defuniak Springs (FL) - I HATE HAMLET, HAMLET Wright State University - THE FANTASTICKS, WEST SIDE STORY, AIDA, URINETOWN, GREASE, KISS ME KATE, CYRANO DE BERGERAC, ROMEO AND JULIET, HAMLET, MACBETH (two productions), PHANTOM, COMPANY, STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, SHADES OF NIGHT, 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE, OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD, CAROUSEL, CORIOLANUS University of Dayton - THE GRAPES OF WRATH, HAMLET Antioch Shakespeare Festival - TWELFTH NIGHT, ROMEO AND JULIET Clarence Brown Theatre - RICHARD III, HAMLET Ohio Renaissance Festival - assorted Quarterstaff, Rapier and Dagger, and Single Sword fights La Commedia Dinner Theatre - SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Film Work - THE DREAMCATCHER |
| Directing Experience Human Race Theatre Company - THE TEMPEST (In School Tour), THE LAST SONG OF JOHN PROFITT Cincinnati Playhouse (Skilken-Brown Tours) - THE TEMPEST, TOUCH THE NAMES Wright State University - ANGELS IN AMERICA: MILLENIUM APPROACHES, THE TEMPEST, THE SHAPE OF THINGS, UNCLE VANYA, CORIOLANUS,OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD, THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA,THE LEARNED LADIES, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, SHADES OF NIGHT (Shakespeare's Supernatural), COMPANY, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, BRILLIANT TRACES, ROUND PEGS ---SQUARE HOLES (A Contemporary Commedia Farce) |
| Teaching Experience Professor at Wright State University, 1987- Present Has taught courses in: Acting Warm-ups, Text Analysis, Playing Objectives, Character, Body Language, Modified Laban for the Stage, Stage Combat I and II (Unarmed, Broadsword, Rapier and Dagger, Single Sword, Smallsword, Quarterstaff), Comedy of Manners (Restoration, Moliere, Sheridan, Wilde, and Coward), Acting Shakespeare, Shakespearean Movement, Masks and Physical Comedy, Acting Professionally, Improvisation, Auditioning, Acting for Non-Majors, Modern Realism (Chekhov, Ibsen and Shaw), Contemporary Acting March Madness Stage Combat Workshop, Cincinnati, OH Human Race Theatre, Dayton, OH Muse Machine, Dayton, OH Arts Connections, Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Playhouse, Cincinnati, OH Seattle Experimental College, Seattle, WA Alabama Shakespeare Festival MFA Program and ASF Conservatory Program, Anniston and Montgomery, AL |
| Excerpts from Reviews For Lear in KING LEAR at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company "With a mane of grey hair and a beard to match, he makes Lear a man simultaneously powerful and vulnerable, angry and poignant; in fact, Cromer gives Lear a manic swing that's vividly fearful." Cincinnati CityBeat - April 2, 2008 For Prospero in THE TEMPEST at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company "Cromer again reminds us that he is our region's finest actor. His Prospero is kingly, as a deposed monarch should be, with all the positives and negatives that go with power." Cincinnati Enquirer - May 5, 2007 "This Tempest is crowned with Cromer's insightful performance as magus-in-charge Prospero. He delicately balances flights of intelligence, empathy and pure affection with the lowest, most visceral yearnings after bloody vengeance, reveling in this last full flowering of Shakespeare's magical language." Cincinnati CityBeat - May 9, 2007 For Charlotte von Mahlsdorf (and others) in I AM MY OWN WIFE at the Human Race Theatre "...Master actor Bruce Cromer created an unforgettable experience in his one-man/woman show I AM MY OWN WIFE. ...Cromer plays 30 parts, some one-liners but several, in different voices and languages, are characters which must develop to full dimensions. " Oakwood Register - January 30, 2007 "Cromer again proves himself to be one of the region's finest actors as he moves seamlessly between characters, which include the playwright himself, the friend that Charlotte apparently turned into the police and a host of reporters, soldiers and other incidental characters." Pulse Journal - January 26, 2007 For Baptista/Grumio in TAMING OF THE SHREW at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey “Bruce Cromer excels as Baptista...” Star Ledger - July 25, 2006 “Bruce Cromer clowns as Petruchio's servant and adds amusing bewilderment as Kate's harassed father, Baptista.” Variety - August 1, 2006 For Prospero in THE TEMPEST at the Human Race Theatre “...an intense Bruce Cromer confidently leads a talented 12-member cast as the magician Prospero... ...Cromer gives equal weight to Prospero’s eccentric pursuits and ultimate desire for reconciliation...” Dayton City Paper - February 8, 2006 For Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Cincinnati Playhouse “Cromer's take on Scrooge is complex. He's not just sour, he's smart - sarcasm drips from every syllable. Cromer can't resist his inclination for physical comedy, and he indulges in some big, laugh-drawing bits. Somehow, Cromer pulls it together and makes it all fit with Scrooge's emotional re-awakening, which he lets us see clearly. He is no passive observer.” Cincinnati Enquirer - December 5, 2005 “Cromer is funny and edgy: He's gleefully wicked at the outset, taking pleasure in being stingy and dyspeptic... When his conversion is complete, Cromer makes Scrooge highly animated, cavorting around the stage ("I'm making a perfect fool of myself!") and being genuinely human ("I'm really quite a baby!"). It's a performance to be treasured, re-energizing this tried and true show.” City Beat - December, 2005 For George in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival “Two of our region’s finest actors, Bruce Cromer and Amy Warner, are playing George and Martha... Their performances are breathtaking in their range.” City Beat - May 9, 2005 “Cromer builds from a mild Dick Cavett-like intellectuality to a crescendo of vindictiveness displayed in the third act of this play.” Cincinnati Post - 2005 “Cromer is going to be a revelation for fans who don't trek up to Dayton to see him deliver jaw-dropping performances on his home ground and know him best as Bob Cratchit in Playhouse's annual A CHRISTMAS CAROL. George is the spine of WOOLF... Cromer is masterful and together they are marvelous as the sparring partners who love and hate and complete each other.” Cincinnati Enquirer - May 5, 2005 For Morgan in THE DRAWER BOY at the Human Race Theatre “...Cromer (well known to Cincinnati audiences for many roles at Ensemble Theatre and for playing Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol for many years at the Cincinnati Playhouse) gives a believable texture to Morgan, whose gruff exterior belies his depth of caring for his lifelong friend.” City Beat - February 2, 2005 For Dr. Robert Smith in BLUE/ORANGE at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati “Cromer’s Smith will stand as one of this season’s best performances, chilling in his lack of conscience, his self- satisfaction and delicious in his stylish delivery of erudite if cruelly inappropriate comments." Cincinnati Enquirer - October 9, 2003 For Biff in DEATH OF A SALESMAN at the Human Race Theatre “Bruce Cromer as Biff in a poignant and powerful performance that will stand as the pinnacle of these two acts. His jittery tension during collisions with Willy, his abject despair during a crucial moment in his young life and his eventual triumph over himself are all palpable and immediate...” Dayton Daily News - 2003 “To say that Bruce Cromer (Biff) delivered a tour de force performance would be an understatement. ...Whether playing a Shakespearean king, an over-the-top screen legend or an ex-football star forever changed by the sight of his father’s adultery, Cromer is one of Dayton’s theatrical gems and year after year he proves it to amazing proportions.” The City Paper - 2003 For the one-person show UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati “Cromer uses an appropriately headlong, frantic pace for the librarian — if you recall John Cleese’s work in MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS, you get a taste of what he’s doing... Cromer is a delight to watch. He vibrates around the stage: his arms and legs play odd angles as he pleads with the audience. ...Cromer brings a vitality to the script that makes it come to lively, funny life.” City Beat - October 10, 2002 “Cromer gives a brave and beautiful performance...” Cincinnati Enquirer - Oct. 11, 2002 “There is a rare and stunning occurrence in theatre when an actor makes a transcendent move from performing a character to creating the illusion of becoming the character. ...Bruce Cromer achieved this feat... He brings to his role of the librarian in the one-man show UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL stunning authority, passion, and energy.” Cincinnati Post - October 12, 2002 For Barrymore in I HATE HAMLET at the Human Race Theatre (in the Victoria) “Echoing his phenomenal performance as Macbeth a few months ago, Bruce Cromer is flawless as...John Barrymore. Cromer’s enthusiastic portrayal simply astounds.” Impact Weekly - 2002 For Macbeth in MACBETH at the Human Race Theatre “Cromer probably wouldn’t admit his performance as Macbeth is theatre perfection, but it is. He not only masters the intricacy of the Bard’s sophisticated grace but Cromer’s delivery of the dialogue flows so effortlessly it seems Shakespearean is his native tongue.” Impact Weekly - February 7, 2002 “...Bruce Cromer and Lisa Ann Goldsmith...as Lord Macbeth and his lady... Working beautifully together, they give two of the best performances seen regionally this season. Mr. Cromer invites us into Macbeth’s mind, where we witness the temptation, flashes of conscience and, superbly, the megalomania. It radiates from him.” Cincinnati Enquirer - February 6, 2002 “Bruce Cromer is the total package as Macbeth... He has a tortured, craggy face that epitomizes his emotions; his bare-chested fight scenes show him to be qualified as a buff warrior, too.” City Beat - 2002 For Bob Cratchit in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Cincinnati Playhouse “Bob Cratchit (Bruce Cromer), whose bumbling waltz around his employer’s stinginess provides humor in an early scene, is also quietly compelling as an ordinary man upholding his family.” Cincinnati Post - December 3, 2001 For Albany in KING LEAR at Cincinnati Playhouse “Bruce Cromer and John Rensenhouse are impressive in supporting roles, as the unfortunate spouses of Lear’s elder daughters.” Cincinnati Enquirer - September 9, 2001 For Officer Brown in NOVA TOWN at the Victoria Theatre with Rhythm In Shoes “The pivotal role of Officer Brown requires an actor, dancer, and athlete. There is only one Bruce Cromer and he is the perfect Officer Brown, the cruel and corrupt cop.” Oakwood Register - October 10, 2000 For Prior Walter in ANGELS IN AMERICA at the Human Race Theatre “Bruce Cromer again delivers a tour de force performance as Prior...” City Beat - September 18, 1997 “Cromer balances love, grief, tenderness, anger and a sassy gallows humor in his riveting portrayal of Prior Walter...” Columbus Dispatch - April 27, 1997 “Cromer’s Prior is a delight to watch as he goes from bawdy humor to dark pain as the AIDS-infected prophet.” Gay People’s Chronicle - May 2, 1997 “Bruce Cromer is alternately flamboyant and agonizing as the doomed Prior.” The Dayton Voice - 1997 For Cyrano in CYRANO DE BERGERAC at Wright State University “Cromer’s portrayal of the title role is wonderful, as expected because his strengths as an actor of movement find an expansive home in this play, but also because of his characterization.” Dayton Daily News - May 4, 1996 For Lee in TRUE WEST at the Human Race Theatre “Cromer is a classically trained performer in a community that’s been hung up on popular entertainment and contemporary novelty for years. Yet he’s always kept his hope and his body in fighting trim, which he most definitely is in this agile, muscular, rewardingly detailed portrayal of Lee, the bad, hard-drinking, uneducated, dangerous, head-slapping brother in Shepard’s incredibly humorous but disturbing play.” Dayton Daily News - 1996 For Virgil in BUS STOP at the Human Race Theatre “Only Bo’s guardian and pal Virgil Blessing remains unattached, but he has Inge’s last word. Having an actor with Bruce Cromer’s stage presence in what might seem a minor role lends authority to this production.” Dayton Daily News - 1992 For Charles Dickens in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Human Race Theatre “Bruce Cromer is superb as Dickens. He lets the colorful prose roll off his tongue much like it might have been if Dickens had been there himself. Cromer weaves in and out of the action with wonderful subtlety, never pulling focus until he is ready to narrate again or play one of his menagerie of characters.” Kettering-Oakwood Times - 1991 For Stan in CAPTAIN FANTASTO at the Seattle Children’s Theatre “Cromer plays an aging hippie whose son Wally escapes into a series of fantasies where he becomes Captain Fantasto. Cromer also plays the villains in Wally’s fantasies and...does an excellent job hamming it up as the embodiment of evil, mad laughter and all. As Stan, Wally’s dad, Cromer seems perfect as a child of the 60s.” Magnolia News - September 26, 1990 For Treat in ORPHANS at the Human Race Theatre “Cromer is solid once again in the ugly part of Treat. He pulls no punches when called to deliver them verbally or physically. He is quite powerful in the moving closing seconds of the play.” Dayton Daily News - June 4, 1988 For Harry in THE SEA HORSE at the Human Race Theatre “Cromer, as Harry, gives a first rate and detailed performance that carries THE SEA HORSE farther than it might otherwise travel.” Dayton Daily News - January 15, 1988 For Happy in DEATH OF A SALESMAN at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “Bruce Cromer plays Happy with such finesse that his terrible moral traits can only make you shudder, when he starts to prance and move on the ladies. Bruce has the body controls of a dancer.” Storer Cable - 1985 For Charles in THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “Bruce Cromer lights up the stage as Charles Surface, the roguish nephew who sees nothing unusual in auctioning off his ‘relatives’ to pay for his gambling debts. Indeed, the auction scene is one of the highlights of the play.” The Dispatch - 1985 For Lysander in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “Bruce Cromer is fine and in excellent athletic form as Lysander...” Anniston Star - December 15, 1985 For Marlowe in SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “Combining Dawn Spare and Bruce Cromer as the comic lead couple was nothing short of sensational casting.” Montgomery Advertiser - 1984 For Macduff in MACBETH at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “One of the psychological peaks which moved the audience most was Bruce Cromer, as Macduff, during his response to the news that his wife and children had been murdered...” Montgomery Advertiser - 1984 For Romeo in ROMEO AND JULIET at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (tour) “Bruce Cromer’s Romeo is a fine, fair-haired boy whose passions never once trip up his tongue. He can somersault from stone benches, bound gracefully from balconies and fence like Errol Flynn. He’s everything Shakespeare’s impetuous young lover ought to be.” Charlotte Observer - October 9, 1982 “And Romeo (Bruce Cromer) was robust and athletic as he dashed about stage and, on occasion, somersaulted and leaped from Juliet’s balcony. ...The tomb scene was a theatrical symphony. Shakespeare’s famous lines were spoken with grace and eloquence by Cromer...” Tuscaloosa News - September 29, 1982 “Bruce Cromer, in the role of impetuous Romeo, handled his difficult role with apparent ease. Some unexpected acrobatics in the balcony scene and a well-choreographed sword fight kept the audiences wondering what to expect next from this energetic actor.” Florence Times - 1982 For Hamlet in HAMLET at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “His is a fresh, take-charge, thoroughly American Hamlet...a Hamlet of very considerable control and power.” Montgomery Advertiser - 1982 “The role of Hamlet demands an exceptional actor, capable of not only putting Hamlet on the stage but bringing him to life in the mind of the audience. Bruce Cromer performed this task with very little difficulty. There is strength and power in Cromer’s interpretation, but overshadowing this is his overwhelming emotion. Cromer relates Hamlet’s thoughts and feelings often without a spoken word — surely a sign of a professional.” Jacksonville News - 1982 “Bruce Cromer, as Hamlet, is the driving force behind the play’s energy. He sustains a captivating intensity with his character that makes us believe and sympathize with Hamlet’s troubles. Cromer gives us both the richness of Shakespeare’s text and the richness of Hamlet’s character — including a generous dose of his humor.” Anniston Star - 1982 “Bruce Cromer...proved to be adept at handling the many soliloquies and flings with insanity that the characterization demands.” The Leeds News - 1982 “The performance of Bruce Cromer in HAMLET is fantastic... Energetic and emotional but tensely controlled... Cromer was greeted with a standing ovation following the play’s dramatic ending.” Sand Mountain Reporter - 1982 For Prince Hal in HENRY IV at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “Bruce Cromer was excellent as the fun-loving Prince Hal...one of his best endeavors at the Festival. He allowed the audience to see him grow from an irresponsible youth to the royal defender of his country.” Daily Home - 1981 “Bruce Cromer’s portrayal of Prince Hal captures the duality of the heir to the throne — the man who later puts aside his boisterous ways and assumes his regal responsibilities...” Birmingham Post-Herald - July 23, 1981 For Sebastian in TWELFTH NIGHT at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “Bruce Cromer as...Sebastian reminds us that this season’s Hamlet is also a very handsome romantic lead.” Montgomery Advertiser - August 1, 1982 For Lysander in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival “Demetrius (Arthur Hanket) and Lysander (Bruce Cromer) were good as the interchangeable suitors... From the beautiful poetry the youngsters were speaking with fetching conviction, slapstick would suddenly erupt. Yet throughout all this there was never a hint that the action was a way for the actors to escape the words they were speaking.” Shakespeare Quarterly, 1981 |
| 2008/2009 BC Theatre Season (click on underlined links for more information) January, 2008 Choreographed fights in ROMEO AND JULIET at the Human Race Theatre January 30 and beyond Narrator of the ThinkTV 16 series THE NEW SELLING OF AMERICA March 28 to April 20, 2008 Played Lear in KING LEAR at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company June 2008 Directed ANGELS IN AMERICA: MILLENIUM APPROACHES at Wright State University, in the Herbst Theatre September 5 - 28, 2008 Will play Salieri in AMADEUS at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company November 10, 2008 Will narrate THE COMPOSER IS DEAD for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster December 2008 Will play Scrooge (4th year in the role) in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park January/February 2009 Will play Rattler Man and Grin Dell in BROTHER WOLF at the Human Race Theatre Company April/May 2009 Will play Frederik in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at the New Stage Collective |
| Rich Sofranko, Photographer |
| Rich Sofranko, Photographer |
