Samira Mighty interviewed for Allure
3 years ago
United States Bruce Ornstien is an accomplished actor, writer, and director with a career spanning over four decades in film, television, and theater.
Bruce Ornstein founded his acting workshop in 1997. It has grown into a significant institution, offering multiple classes per week in New York City, attracting students serious about acting. Among those taught and directed by Bruce Ornstein is Academy Award Winner, Sam Rockwell. The workshop also emphasizes tailoring approach to each actor.
Bruce Ornstein served as an adjunct professor on the faculty at Columbia University in the MFA program for Film for seven years.
Bruce Ornstein serves as the Artistic Director for the Wednesday Repertory Company, and has directed off-Broadway productions for the company, including 'Different Animals'.
Bruce Ornstein has taught acting at New York University (NYU).
Bruce Ornstein has been a guest lecturer at Hunter College.
Bruce Ornstien was born on February 3, 1954. He began his acting career in the late 1970s, making a notable appearance as ‘Gus’ in the 1977 film, ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ co-starring with John Travolta. This early role marked the beginning of his extensive work as an actor in both film and television. He also appeared in ‘The Great Wallendas’ in 1978 and in the 1982 television movie ‘The Wall,’ alongside Griffin Dunne and Dianne Wiest. His acting credits further extended to episodic television series such as ‘Love of Life’ in 1979.
Over the years, Ornstien expanded his professional reach into writing and directing. In 1992, he wrote and directed the feature film ‘Jack and His Friends,’ which starred Sam Rockwell, Judy Reyes, and Allen Garfield. This film was critically recognized, serving as the inaugural selection of the First Look Festival in Tribeca and an official selection of the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain. He continued his directorial and writing efforts with the 2012 independent film ‘Vamperifica,’ which he co-wrote and directed. ‘Vamperifica’ gained several accolades, including Best Picture and Best Vampire Comedy at the 2012 Indie Horror Festival, and Best Horror Comedy and the Audience Award at the Bram Stoker International Horror Festival. His play, ‘How Do You Feel?,’ was also a finalist in the Actors Theatre of Louisville Great American Play Contest.
Beyond his creative contributions to screen and stage, Bruce Ornstien has dedicated a significant portion of his career to arts education. In 1997, he established the Bruce Ornstein Acting Workshop in New York City, which has grown to offer multiple classes weekly. He also served as an adjunct professor in the Columbia University MFA Program for Film for seven years and has taught acting at NYU, in addition to being a guest lecturer at Hunter College. As Artistic Director for the Wednesday Repertory Company, he directed Off-Broadway productions, including Joel Gross’ ‘Haven,’ which received two DramaLogue awards for its Los Angeles run, and Abby Rosebrock’s ‘Different Animals.’ He maintains an active presence in both the performance industry and academic settings.
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