Teaching & Research
An Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, Zev researches trauma-informed approaches in fight and intimacy work. His research is shared nationally at conferences and with fight directors worldwide. His students have rated him excellent every semester for over seven years - reflecting his dedication and strong impact on their learning.
Click HERE to Download my Full Curriculum Vitae
Teaching
My teaching philosophy is rooted in empowering students to become experts in their own learning. As an acting and movement specialist, I believe that understanding one’s individual learning style is key to becoming a professional actor. My approach centers on cultivating a deep knowledge of the body as a storytelling instrument, helping students become affectable, dynamic, and fully embodied in their performances.
I focus on developing students’ ability to self-train, adapt, and embrace new skills throughout their careers. Whether it’s mastering a specific acting technique, learning a dialect, or tackling a challenging physical movement, I ensure that my students have the confidence and tools to tackle any role. My courses often emphasize the process over the product, encouraging students to explore and interrogate their learning methods while applying their knowledge in real-world settings.
In my stage combat and movement classes, I integrate technique with acting, supporting students in using their entire body to communicate character and emotion. Stage combat is not just about learning technical skills—it’s about fostering a deeper understanding of how movement can elevate a performance. This focus on embodied acting is complemented by my commitment to creating inclusive and accessible learning environments that cater to diverse student needs, backgrounds, and identities.
My work extends beyond the classroom, as I collaborate with university and professional theater programs to create consent-based and trauma-informed spaces that reflect industry standards. My teaching has had a significant impact on students, with many going on to excel in professional fight direction, intimacy work, and other areas of the entertainment industry. Through my guidance, students develop the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive as both artists and professionals.
Research
My research and practice focus on advancing consent-based and trauma-informed approaches to acting, choreographing, and teaching live theatre, particularly in scenes of intimacy and violence. Through workshops across the country, I help industry professionals and emerging artists work in more consent-forward environments.
The entertainment industry has historically faced high levels of harassment and abuse, with a 2018 survey revealing that 94% of women in entertainment experienced some form of harassment. In response, the role of the Intimacy Director has emerged to center the wellness of artists and integrate consent-based practices in production.
Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (IDC) is the leading organization in this field, offering the most comprehensive certification for intimacy directors in live theatre. I’ve been a key contributor to IDC’s curriculum since the organization was founded in 2020. The impacts of IDC and our curriculum have been recognized in major media and industry outlets like the New York Times and American Theatre Magazine. I recently co-led the first IDC certification program for Intimacy Directors in Chicago in 2024, addressing the growing demand for certified intimacy professionals. Beyond this, I am a featured author for IDC’s Accelerator Program, the largest foundational training program for intimacy professionals in the world.
In addition to my work in intimacy, I apply trauma-informed principles to Fight Direction. I focus on the psychological risks of performing scenes of violence and how historical and cultural trauma can be triggered in fight rehearsals. For example, in the 2021 production America V2.1 with Definition Theatre, I worked closely with the team to ensure safety around the use of firearms, particularly for cast members with personal experiences of gun violence. This approach allowed actors to engage in intense scenes while leaving rehearsal with their emotional well-being intact.
I’ve presented my trauma-informed fight-directing research at major conferences, including the National Stage Combat Conference and the Society of American Fight Directors' College of Fight Masters. I am also revising the SAFD’s firearms safety curriculum to include trauma-informed practices, ensuring safer environments for all artists involved in staged violence.
