IN THE NEWS:
Behind the Sheet at Ensemble Studio Theater Extended Through February 10th!
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The New York Times Critic's Pick show (reviewed by Ben Brantley) extends until February 10th and the extension is currently sold out. Waitlist tickets will be released an hour before the show for those who weren't able to procure tickets during the run.
Come see this captivating and important piece of theater written by Charly Evon Simpson and directed by Colette Robert! |
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BiographySometimes charming and innocent (Raliegh Brummet, Last Train to Nibroc), other times dark, cunning, and intellectual (Raskolnikov, Crime and Punishment), Ripka plays a range of characters in classical and contemporary theater. He is a two-time Berkshire Theater Critics award winner (best solo performance - Every Brilliant Thing and best ensemble - The Aliens, both at Chester Theater - 2017, 2018.
Joel began his career in Pittsburgh after study at Point Park University's Conservatory Program. He performed in over 25 Equity productions including many world premieres at many of Pittsburgh nationally recognized houses including the Pittsburgh Public, City Theater, The Rep, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theater, and Quantum. Joel is currently performing in a sold-out run of Behind the Sheet at Ensemble Studio Theater in New York City, where he currently resides. |
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Resume for Download below:
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Headshot for Download below:
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TRAINING
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Drama-Point Park College Conservatory, Pittsburgh 2001
ACTING: John Shepard, John Amplas, Rich Keitel, Nancy Chesney, Shirley Tannenbaum, Robin Walsh
ON-CAMERA ACTING: John Shepard
VOICE TRAINING (SINGING AND SPEECH): Dr. Shirley Barasch, Shirley Tannenbaum
ACTING: John Shepard, John Amplas, Rich Keitel, Nancy Chesney, Shirley Tannenbaum, Robin Walsh
ON-CAMERA ACTING: John Shepard
VOICE TRAINING (SINGING AND SPEECH): Dr. Shirley Barasch, Shirley Tannenbaum
SPECIAL SKILLS
Formal training in piano; rock/folk guitar, impersonations, character voices, juggling, manual transmission, Dialects: Scottish, Irish, French, Italian, Cockney, Brooklyn, North Country British, German, High British, New York, Pittsburgh, Southern.
SHOW SHOTS |
WORDS, WORDS, WORDS."As Raskolnikov, the poor student, Joel Ripka gives a dynamic performance that should be recognized when the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette chooses its performer-of-the-year. Ripka goes through a broad range of emotions. Sometimes he is the docile student, sometimes the mad philosopher, sometimes despondent denizen of the lower depths. It is an electric performance, and Ripka radiates!" -F. J. Hartland, Pittsburgh's Out Online
"Joel Ripka is the Swan, and I mean "IS" and not just is playing. His slow transition from animal into human is heaven to watch. Ripka is agile and handsome in a strangely romantic fashion, and he moves his character forward and upward with single leaps...Ripka is remarkable. He is a bird, and he is a human being and he is a God and he is a brutal and self-supporting animal, all at once and always with a seamless sense of disclosure." -J. Peter Bergman, Berkshire Bright Focus
"Joel Ripka makes a convincing, somewhat wide-eyed young Hamlet. He’s often the straight man to the crazed mentors who woo him. Ripka shines when given the chance..." -Jonathan Levine The Pittsfield Gazette
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