JASON HACKNEY

Three things that make me especially proud

 [An Education]

I hold a BFA (bachelor of fine arts) from the University of Utah, where I attended the Actor Training Program­­; a repertory-style four year curriculum. During that time, an in-depth exploration into all facets of the acting and theater world took place: acting for stage and film, audition technique, dialects, Shakespeare, movement/dance, singing, voice & speech, script work, play analysis and theater history/theory among others. During my time there, I was in six plays, three of which as lead roles. My theater education at the U of U was invaluable and I am quite proud of the work I put forth during the ATP. I now carry its lessons with me in all the acting I do, from the auditions I prep for or every time I pick up a script.

[A Premier and Revival]

An accomplishment within the Actor Training Program that I will always be most proud of is my starring role in the North American premiere of D.C. Moore’s provocative play “Alaska.” This English play–centering around themes of hatred, racism, classism, homophobia and violence–premiered in London and to date, has only been produced in one other place since; Utah. Its University of Utah production ran in November of 2009 and then–after a powerful reception–was voted back by popular demand for a revival a whole year later (2010), this time being publically staged at Salt Lake City’s Main downtown library. It was gratifying and intensely powerful to play that role on two different occasions.

[A Privileged Tutelage]

In the course of my time at acting school, I befriended famous film and television actor Treat Williams (Everwood, Hair etc.) We cultivated our relationship in my hometown of Park City and ultimately this not only led to him speaking before the entire theater program, but also led to a Master Class. For this, he requested a dozen handpicked actors to do one-on-one coaching with through scene/monologue work. Not only did I spearhead the whole Master class alongside him, but I also enjoyed personal instruction from him within these classes, held across a few weeks. Working with him was a unique opportunity that I’m very grateful to have had.

Dialects, stage combat experience, radio deejay (10+ years’ experience), Aikido/Krav Maga, athletic proficiency (University of Utah Rugby alumni, Hockey, Lacrosse, Bobsled, Scottish athletics [caber toss etc.]), experienced rock climber/outdoorsman, snowboarding, horseback riding, A.C.S.M. Personal Trainer, Active U.S. Passport