Ira Sakolsky is a professional actor, musician, and composer, writing and performing for film, theater, television, and industrial shows. His Riverway Recording Studio in East Haddam, CT, has garnered many awards, including Parent’s Choice Award, Global Music Awards, and a Grammy nomination. Ira has studied Viola Spolin’s improvisational theatre games for 47 years. We first met at a workshop with Aretha Amelia Sills and I was struck by his energy, playfulness, and compassion. His love of drama and improv started at a young age. From founding a not-for-profit to provide music therapy for hospice patients to being a stand-in Al Pacino and Woody Allan’s films to co-writing a new musical based on the online dating experience, Ira has shared his talents around the world. In college, his acting teacher, George Morrison, had been part of the Compass Players with Paul Sills and Mike Nichols, which led to Ira performing in Sills’ Story Theatre. He continues to have a busy career writing music, playing, and acting. He is currently co-writing a new film in which he’ll co-star and serve as the composer.
You might want to listen to my fascinating discussions with other improv teachers and innovators including Susan Messing and Anne Beatts *Improv Interviews podcast‘ is introduced by Susan L. Parker of yourinternationalvoice.com