Brett Olson - University of Wisconsin Parkside

PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW
Brett J. Olson is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts and Coordinator of Musical Theatre at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. He is a professional actor, director, fight and intimacy director, and educator whose work spans over 100 credits across stage, film, and television.

Career Path
Before joining Parkside, Brett worked nationally as a freelance theatre artist and educator, collaborating with companies and training programs across the country including the Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College, the University of North Dakota, and Western Illinois University. His teaching is grounded in the belief that students learn best through active exploration – by getting on their feet, taking risks, and connecting theory to practice.

Impact and Philosophy
Brett’s former students have gone on to national and regional tours, cruise lines, graduate programs, and professional theatre careers across the U.S. He is passionate about helping students discover their artistic voice and prepare for a sustainable, joyful life in the arts. He believes that any time a student thinks or says, “I can do this,” it is a good teaching day.

Areas of Expertise

Musical Theatre
Acting
Meisner Technique
Audition Technique
Camera Technique

Teaching Interests

Courses and Expertise
Brett teaches across acting, voice, and movement, with courses in Musical Theatre, Acting, Meisner Technique, Audition Technique, and Acting for the Camera. He has taught a diverse theatre and performance curriculum, collaborating with Broadway, West End, and Hollywood veterans to develop compelling performance pedagogy.

Teaching Approach
Brett’s teaching centers on a holistic approach to actor training that builds technical skill, emotional authenticity, and professional readiness. He encourages students to connect rigorous craft to real-world application, guiding them to think critically about both their artistry and the industry they are entering.

Special Focus Areas
He is especially interested in ensemble development, movement as text, and the intersection of acting and intimacy. Brett views the classroom as a rehearsal hall for life where students grow best together in a supportive, student-centered environment.

Research Interests

Research Focus
Brett’s research and creative work explore the intersection of performance training, classical text, and contemporary staging practice. He is particularly interested in how partner-work, movement, and text analysis inform actor training, and how classical techniques can be reframed for modern performance.

Creative Work
His creative projects often blend physical theatre, heightened language, and musical structure to investigate how performers communicate meaning through both voice and body. As a director and fight/intimacy professional, he continues to explore safe and authentic representations of conflict and connection on stage.

Recent Projects and Scholarship
Currently, Brett is pursuing his "Designated Meisner Teacher" accreditation through the Meisner Institute in Los Angeles. Recent work includes productions of The Effect, 101 Dalmatians, Barefoot in the Park and collaborations with professional and academic companies nationwide. His scholarship extends into directing pedagogy, the evolution of both liberal arts and conservatory training, and the development of equitable rehearsal practices.

Brett Olson, MFA, MA

Areas of Expertise