Ben GonioBen Gonio is a university educator, public speaking coach, and professional film & stage actor with a flair for creative innovation. He is the founder of Narrativus, a licensed consulting business providing engaging and highly interactive presentation coaching services to executives and professionals alike, particularly in but not limited to the technology startup space. Other services include designing and conducting interactive workshops for professional development in both the public and private sectors, using the mechanics of acting. He also conducts theatre improvisation workshops and how it relates to effective communication, team building, and leadership skills that ultimately results in positive team dynamics.
|
Start-Up SpaceBen served as a pitch and presentation coach which was tailored for technology CEOs and startup entrepreneurs at Washington Technology Industry Association and Social Ventures Partners. Most of his clients have gone on to advance in pitch competitions such as Social Ventures Partners pitch semi-finals, Geek Wire finals competition, and Ignite events. He's also served as a mentor for CEOs & entrepreneurs at the University of Washington Startup Hall where he held weekly office hours.
|
Performative Background
Ben's education and background as a professional actor has played a significant role in his coaching profession. He has a B.F.A. in Drama (Magna Cum Laude) from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in conjunction with the Moscow Art Theatre Exchange Program. He is certified in Stage Combat with an emphasis in Unarmed, Rapier & Dagger, Broadsword, and Quarterstaff. Ben also holds an M.F.A. in Acting at the University of Washington Professional Actor Training Program with a Masters Thesis in Solo-Performance. Ben has been faculty at The University of Washington School of Drama, University of Arizona School Of Theatre Arts and Northwest Actors Studio. He's held a faculty position at The University of Washington, Bothell where he served as an Adjunct Professor teaching acting classes from an interdiciplinary framework.
Ben studied under regional theatre luminaries such as Tina Landau, Jon Jory, Mark Weill, Peter Brosius, Mladen Kiselov, Joe Dowling, Julian Patrick, Marsha Mason as well as Andrei Droznin, Anatoly Smeliansky and Bob Parks. His performing experience encompass both film, television as well as national commercials. He has done guest starring roles on NBC/Universal’s GRIMM. He's also made television guest starring roles on TNT's THE LIBRARIANS, and LEVERAGE. Regional theatre credits include such companies as the Tony Award winning Minneapolis Children's Theatre, Houston's Arena Theatre, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Guthrie Theatre and local Seattle companies including Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre, Empty Space Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Village Theatre, ArtsWest Theatre and Alice B. Theatre. He is a proud member of The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television & Radio Artists and Actors Equity Association. |