Rebecca Rich
Director of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts
Associate Professor of Theatre
Rebecca Rich (Becca, she/her) - joined the Conservatory of Theatre Arts in the summer of 2024! Previous to Purchase, she held academic leadership positions with Elmira College as the Division Chairperson for the Humanities & Creative Arts, Director of the Theatre Program, and Associate Professor, and with The University of Northern Colorado as the Interim Associate Director of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance, and an Associate Professor of Acting; additional positions include work with Rider, Temple, West Chester, and Rowan Universities.
More About Me
Becca teaches a wide array of courses within the theatre curriculum including acting and musical theatre performance, general theatre education, and more; she feels most at home with the performance core and specializes in the Michael Chekhov Technique. In addition to classroom teaching and academic leadership, she directs plays and musicals, cabarets, and special performances, facilitates devised work, and has experience as a dialect/voice coach and in casting.
Prior to joining academia, Becca called New York City home for 15 years and enjoyed an extensive performance career, crossing the country in a National Tour of Guys and Dolls, originating roles in Off-Broadway musicals, such as Zombie Prom (original CD cast recording), appearing in numerous productions for LORT/regional stages all around the country, as well as in television and film. Becca served as the Production Manager and Memberships Liaison for MICHA-The Michael Chekhov Association (2013-2019) and now proudly serves as the Newsletter Editor for the National Alliance of Acting Teachers quarterly Alliance publication. She is engaged in anti-racist practice and empowering the creative individuality of all those in her circle.