R Bernier
Theatre Director, Writer, and Educator
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About
Experienced theatre director, writer, and educator with 15+ years of professional experience at Second City. MFA Theatre Directing graduate with distinction. Expertise in directing, writing, and teaching comedy, sketch writing, devised theatre, and acting across multiple institutions and international venues.
Experience
Adjunct Faculty - University of South Dakota - Vermillion, SD
(2024-01)
Teaching theatre courses including Intro to Acting, Devised Theatre, and Sketch Writing
- Intro to Acting (FA 2024 - SP 2026)
- Devised Theatre (SP 2025)
- Sketch Writing (FA 2025)
Graduate Assistant - University of South Dakota - Vermillion, SD
(2023-01 - 2025-05)
Teaching Film Appreciation course
- Film Appreciation (FA 2023 - SP 2025)
Artistic Director - Second City Inc. - Chicago, IL
(2015-01 - 2021-12)
- Oversaw hiring and casting for Second City Touring and Resident Stages
- Oversaw curriculum for Writing, Acting and Conservatory Programs for SCTC
- 7 time Resident Stage Director at Second City Main stage & ETC
Writer/Director/Teacher - Second City Chicago - Chicago, IL
(2005-01 - 2021-12)
- Wrote, Produced and Directed hundreds of productions across multiple Second City venues
- Taught at Second City Training Centers for 15+ years
Faculty - The Second City Training Center - Chicago, IL
(2006-01 - 2020-12)
Taught multiple levels of conservatory, writing, and improvisation programs. Designed and produced directing program. Taught courses across Second City locations in Hollywood and Toronto.
- Conservatory Program (Levels 1-6)
- Writing Program (Levels 1-6)
- Acting for the Camera
- Voice Acting
- 15 Graduate Level Writing Shows
- Advanced Improvisation Program (Long form 1-2, Dramatic Improvisation)
- Beginning Improvisation (Levels B-E)
- Improvisation for Actors (Levels 1-2)
- Summer Improv & Writing Intensive
- Directing Program (Producer and Course Designer)
- Helping to advise/design online Writing classes
- Bob Curry Diversity Workshop (Guest Lecturer)
Faculty - Second City Training Center, Hollywood - Hollywood, CA
(2016-01 - 2016-12)
Taught comedy and improvisation courses
Faculty - Second City Training Center Toronto - Toronto, Canada
(2018-01 - 2018-12)
Taught comedy and improvisation courses
Adjunct Faculty - Columbia College Chicago - Chicago, IL
(2013-01 - 2015-05)
Taught and helped shape Comedy Studies Major courses
- Comedy Writing & Performance (FA 2013 – SP 2015)
- Scene Theory (SP 2014)
- Acting for the Stage (FA 2014)
Adjunct Faculty - Emerson College - Boston, MA
(2015-01 - 2016-12)
Taught Comedy Writing for TV and Film
- Comedy Writing for Late Night TV (FA 2015 - FA 2016)
Head Writer, Show Runner Comedy Central Digital Productions - Comedy Central
(2018-01 - 2018-12)
Head writer and showrunner for digital comedy shorts
Resident Director - Boston Comedy - Boston, MA
(2013-01 - 2017-12)
4 time Main stage Resident Director
Teacher and Director - Boys and Girls Club of America South Boston - Boston, MA
(2022-01)
Teaching and Directing Theatre
Director - Hanover Theatre - Worcester, MA
(2023-01 - 2024-12)
Directed theatrical productions and taught master classes
- Oklahoma! Jr. (2023)
- Character Acting workshop (2024)
- Summer Youth Acting Ensemble (2023-24)
Education
MFA - Theatre Directing - University of South Dakota (2026)
Bachelor's - Communications & Journalism - Suffolk University
