John Henry Davis

Instructor Biography:

M.F.A. director/screenwriter, playwright; WGA, DGA, SDC ember whose credits include directing OZ (HBO), The Sarah Jones Show (Bravo), and the documentary Broken Mirrors. Mr. Davis is a dramaturg and writing coach for new musicals, screenplays and plays. Other credits include developing and directing plays at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and the Mark Taper Forum, including the shows When Jazz had the Blues and Daughters with Marisa Tomei.

Instructor Statement for Writers:

Sometimes, like me, you dread facing that blank page. But you know that you have a story to tell. And you also have a voice, forged from your unique experience. As your writing coach, I want you to feel comfortable in your own skin and have fun exploring your story’s full potential, as you try to connect with your natural audience. In that process, we’ll study the principles of storytelling and examine the strengths and weaknesses of literary models, helping to bring your own work into sharp focus. This will help you embrace revision and develop a patient, critical eye for your writing, while never losing that important spark of creation that made you begin this crazy, oddball endeavor in the first place. Above all, listen to your characters, as they will help lead you to where your story should go – places that can amaze and delight you. 

Instructor Statement for Directors:

I believe strong collaboration with actors is one of the keys to being a fine director. I want to help you to tap all your communication skills in order to reach that core of creativity within each actor, helping them realize their full potential. You should know what your vision of the scene is and be able to share it effectively, providing a clear structure, while also letting the performer into the process by honoring their input. For me, the actor should always be truly alive in front of the camera, and it is your job as director to provide the atmosphere where that kind of creative "in the moment” work can flourish. In this hands-on course, we’ll be working interactively with actors in workshop mode so you can learn all the tools necessary to make your work with them the most powerful it can be.