A born and bred New Yorker, Bryna graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University with an A.B. in English, concentrations in Dramatic Literature (Shakespeare), Writing and Literary Criticism and a large helping of the other Liberal Arts.
After a stint in Publishing as a print editor and audio/visual producer/director, she shifted gears and earned an MFA in Theatre Directing (Thesis Production OTHELLO starring then undergraduate Jimmy Smits) at Brooklyn College, CUNY.
Bryna’s directing work in NYC off and off-off Broadway included work with Mr. Smits, Linda Hunt, and the late, great Miss Colleen Dewhurst in productions at The Women’s Project (LITTLE VICTORIES), The Actors Studio (THE CHERRY ORCHARD) and Circle Repertory Company where she was awarded an NEA Directing Grant to work on new play development.
Having directed and taught acting and directing at Brooklyn College Prep, Marymount Manhattan College, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the universities of Iowa and Wisconsin, Bryna joined the URI Theatre Faculty in 1999 where she headed the Acting and Directing programs. She is recently retired.
Bryna, her dear husband Bill and their beloved cat, Hudson, plan to move from NY to RI. In future Bryna looks forward to directing, writing, an enjoying the miracle of life.
| Credit Type | Production | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Lillian Wald: At Home on Henry Street | 1986-87 Season |