Denise Bessette

Professional Experience

Professional Actress for 35 years, member of Actors’ Equity, Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA.  Acting resume available, including Off-Broadway, Regional theaters, TV and film work.

Producer and co-founder of Hudson Stage Company, professional non-profit theater in residence at Whippoorwill Hall Theatre, North Castle Public Library, Armonk, Westchester County, NY; 1998-present: Co-Produced all mainstage productions, staged reading series of new plays

Adjunct Acting Professor, Purchase College BFA program, Spring 2015

Adjunct Acting Professor at Pace University, Westchester County; 2006-2014

Acting Teacher for Phelps Outpatient program, under ArtsWestchester Teaching Artist program, Fall 2014, 2016

Director and Coordinator of SUNY Purchase, Pre-College Teen Acting 4 week intensive and Teen Shakespeare Workshop; Summer 2009-currently

Acting teacher for private classes and individual instruction: Teens & Adults

Playreading workshop for seniors at Westchester Meadows, Valhalla, NY; 2012-present

Director and teacher of acting class in Cultural Enrichment program for Croton Harmon District, 2003 to present. Ages 8-10. Biennial performances at Croton Free Library, Blythedale Childrens’ Hospital, Valhalla and Springvale Senior Residence, Croton, NY

Teaching Artist Residency Experience Phelps CDT, Briarcliff Manor - Acting and Communication to increase clarity, confidence in relational engagement and communication, improvisational skills, public speaking, relaxation, use of imagination and creativity        

Courses for Instruction

Introduction to Acting, Advanced Acting Technique, Script Analysis and Scene Study, Acting for film and television, History of Theatre, Playwriting, Directing, Improvisational Theatre

References Available Kelly Jackson (Director of Continuing Education, SUNY Purchase College), Iris Stevens (former Westchester Film Office Commissioner and Exec. Director of Cultural Enrichment Program in Croton, NY),  Dan Foster and Olivia Sklar, Co-Founders of Hudson Stage Company

Personal Background

Married to Paul Schneeberger, Jr.  Parents of Aaron and Lilah. Interests: Kayaking, Travel, Hiking, Piano (accomplished, sight-reading pianist), Jazz and Zumba dance, Cooking

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