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Lee Blair
Actor Director Teacher
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About
A proud member of Actors' Equity Association since 1997, Lee has appeared in professional work off-Broadway, off-off Broadway and regionally.
A Tennessee native, Lee received his MFA in Acting from the University of Florida. Go Gators!
First professional job: Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Lewisburg, WV
"In 1994, the theatre was in a converted storage barn at this small town's regional airport. That summer, an air show about 50 miles away had two F-15 fighter jets appearing. They had to use the airport in Lewisburg to land and take off; the other airport's runway was too short. In the middle of a performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, they took off. We had to stop the show and wait for the thundering roar to subside. I thought they were coming through the barn! 25 years and about 25 shows, GVT is still a theatrical home away from home."
Most recent professional job: UPMC Commercial, Pittsburgh, PA
"I was a bit wary of doing a commercial in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis. But the shoot was safe and handled professionally. And they had a coffee truck and a snack bag for each actor. No craft service table with hands and mouths and stuff....no, no, no. It also kept me from eating while in holding."
Lee has directed over fifty productions both professionally and in academia, and is an Associate member of Stage Directors and Choreographers' Society (SDC).
What are the differences for you being an actor versus being a director?
"Students ask this all the time. I answer simply. As the actor, I don't have to answer everybody's questions. As the director, I have to answer them ALL!
Also, as the actor, I'm much quieter and still in my work. As the director, I never sit still. I'd like to say it's my artistic eye, searching and looking at all the angles of a show. It might be just nerves."
What is different in directing professionally versus directing academically?
"There's always an element of teaching when you are directing academically. You are coach, fellow designer, cheerleader, etc. with students in a directing situation. Professionally, there's no teaching, but collaboration is on a higher level since we are all working pros. We come together as artists to create work."
Lee is an Associate Professor of Acting & Musical Theatre with the School of Theatre & Dance at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.
Teaching undergraduate and graduate acting, Lee's work in the classroom is Stanislavski-based with special interest and emphases in comedy, clowning techniques, musical theatre styles and audition techniques.
Lee also serves as Associate Director of the School and Head of Performance. In the latter, he oversees Performance degree programs (MFA and BFA in Acting, BFA in Musical Theatre) as well as the theatre performance area in regard to Production (Main Stage, Lab Theatre, workshops and showcases).
Best moments as a teacher?
"Hearing a student say they stayed a theatre major because of one of my classes. Hearing a student say they loved this or that class. Hearing a student say they got their first acting job or a callback or accepted to graduate school.
Hearing a student say thank you."
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