Ray Dooley is an accomplished actor and head of the Professional Actor Training Program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Today, Ray answers some questions about the program he leads, what he looks for in auditions, and much more.

What are some of the guiding principles of UNC Chapel Hill’s actor training?

The training is practical. It is geared towards entry to the profession. In addition to studio training in acting/voice/speech/movement we also pay attention to contributions made in the rehearsal hall and in professional performance.

The training is compassionate, with an understanding of how difficult it is to be any good at all at what we do.

The training is individual, not only geared to individual strengths as an actor, but seeking to bring forward the unique individual. We also make room and support ancillary interests like writing and directing.

What qualities are you most interested in when you’re recruiting candidates for your graduate acting program?

A minimum level of skill with voice/speech and movement.

Humility.

A record of success and/or perseverance in other areas of his or her life.

In audition pieces, learning something about the person, not just the actor.

How important would you say that training has been to you in your career?

It has been important for not only the skills learned, but the access to working with professionals that it afforded me.

How would you describe your own time in graduate school?

A distant memory.

Overwhelming in the amount and intensity of information and experience that came at me.

Alternately terrifying and ecstatic.

You’ve had the opportunity to play so many great, iconic roles through your career, is there a “dream role” that you haven’t gotten to tackle yet?

Nothing burning at the moment—I’ve been blessed to play almost everything anyone could possibly want. At this point I’m interested in really challenging work. I had the opportunity in the past two seasons to do Salter in A Number and The Poet in An Illiad, which were among the most gratifying work I’ve done to date. Bruscon, in Bernhard’s Theatermacher, is one, but no one will ever produce it.

Is there a difference in the way you approach a “classical” role, as opposed to something more contemporary?

Depending on the world the director wishes to create, I might spend more time on a structured physicality and more formal speech. Research on the given circumstances in which the character finds him or herself (social, economic, status issues, surrounding world) are essential for period work.

What should an acting student look for in a training program?

A bridge to the profession. Instructors who are working professionals. The opportunity to work with guest artists of the highest caliber.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of teaching acting?

Broad answer: the maturing of a student’s talent in tandem with the maturing of the person.

Narrow answer: seeing students discover how exciting and how much fun it is to play high style comedy.

What advice would you give to someone who has just graduated and is about to embark on their acting career?

Two general comments:

Work on your career every day.

Have a life outside of your career.

Ray Dooley as Dr. Astrov in UNCLE VANYA at PlayMakers Rep. Photo: Jon Gardiner

Thanks, Ray!

Ray Dooley has taught by example and in the studio for the Professional Actor Training Program at UNC Chapel Hill since 1990, and currently serves as head of that program.

He has been a guest instructor for numerous universities and training programs including the University of Texas at Austin, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and the University of San Diego/Old Globe Theatre. He has played leading roles at theatres in New York, throughout the United States, and abroad, including Circle in the Square; CSC Repertory Company (OBIE Award, Distinguished Performance, Peer Gynt); Yale Repertory Theatre; Seattle Repertory Theatre; Hartford Stage Company; American Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford, CT; Huntington Theatre, Boston; the Citadel Theatre, Edmonton, Canada, among many others.

In January 2006 Mr. Dooley traveled to Vienna’s English Theatre, in Vienna, Austria, to play Father Flynn in the European premier of John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer and Tony-Winning Doubt. He has appeared in numerous films, daytime dramas, and commercials.