Mr. Pareizs is an Augusta native. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia with bachelor’s degrees in Theatre Studies and Entertainment Media Studies. He has directed numerous productions, from classic musicals to world premieres. He has worked at The Keegan Theatre as a teaching artist, and partnered with the Young Playwrights’ Theater, to teach theatre for D.C. public school summer students. His short film “m.a.d.” played in official selection at the London International Motion Picture Awards, and he received an Arts in Community Award from the Athens Cultural Affairs Commission to direct, produce, and write a short film “HAÜS: 12 Exercises in Paranoia.” Mr. Pareizs has presented his research on Translation’s Impact on Performance, Meyerhold & Biomechanics, and Creating Virtual Immersive Theatre. He holds his Masters in Theatre Education and certification from Columbus State University. He has also studied at the Kennedy Center Directing Institute and the Studio Acting Conservatory.

Statement of Philosophy on Teaching Theatre

In Ancient Greek theatre, the role of the director was fulfilled by the Didaskalos, or teacher. This dual role of director & teacher is how I view my place as an educator. My artistic life and my instructional life cannot be separated; they inform each other. That’s why I respond to the term teaching artist, a position I learned when I spent a summer teaching at the Keegan Theatre in Washington, D.C. The most impactful aspect of my summer in D.C. was partnering with the Young Playwrights’ Theatre. I worked along young writers to direct them in a play they wrote together. Was the end result a work of theatre I would’ve made? No! But the point was not to create a masterpiece, but for me to be a midwife to the students’ creation.

As a teacher, I have found that my strengths as a director translate directly to the classroom.  I don’t want to force my ideas of what “good theatre” is on my students, but rather give them the tools and agency to tell their own stories. As a director, I don’t want to control my actors and designers, but rather collaborate with them, help different visions come together. I believe it is so essential to give young students artistic agency. That’s ultimately what I care most about my students, not whether they remember facts about Shakespeare or know how to build a model set. I care if they feel safe and worthy enough to live creatively and curiously for the rest of their lives, even if they don’t pursue artistic paths.  

Through my career as a teacher, there have been struggles and joys, but it’s work worth doing. I’ve found a new excitement and energy for theatre and teaching that I can’t wait to continue to cultivate.