Greg Cicchino has the insight, generosity of spirit, and knowledge that I needed to help me with my one-woman show, "Passing". His fun nature and imagination made the rehearsals a creative joy to immerse myself in. He's a gem!
-Maggie Reed (Orson's Shadow on Passing)
With an actor's training, director's eye and contemporary ensemble singer's experience, Greg has a unique set of tools at his disposal. Not only can he see and craft the "big picture" while translating it into actable terms, he is equally at ease helping writers - and composers - clarify their message for the stage. The ideal director for contemporary and developing musicals! He gives his fellow artists the space to explore and create, while maintaining a constant support and vision for the piece as a whole.
-Katie Zaffran (Actor - Before the Flood)
What surprised me about Greg was that he showed up at the first rehearsal with a penetrating understanding not only of Dickens, but of my alternate political take on it. I was deeply involved as both playwright and producer of the show, and Greg was invaluable to mounting a show that reflected my vision, and was actually better than the script as I hired him to direct it. (Grumbling and gnashing my teeth all the way, I added two scenes during rehearsal.) In short, as a playwright, I valued Greg's guidance on rewrites and his dedication to presenting my vision; as a producer, I could not have been more satisfied with the work he brought out of the actors and the superiority of the technical team he brought together. In every way, the production exceeded my hopes.
Janet Hopf (Playwright - God Bless You Mr. Scrooge)
Greg is one of the best directors to work for. He is patient and understanding, and he knows what he wants. He is a very organized director (a stage managers dream). And his direction is wonderful to sit through show after show after show.
John Crotty (Stage Manager - Unusual Suspects)
Greg is a master of making text come alive, which was particularly helpful in navigating through Shakespeare's language. His collaborative process helped make the choices I made the strongest possible and made each rehearsal engaging artistically and personally. He fosters great productions by uniting his casts and challenging actors to push boundaries.
-Louis Tullo (Actor - As You Like It)
Greg Cicchino is the ideal actor's director. With a solid vision for the production, he is always ready with invaluable direction and feedback. Of equal value, moreover, is his readiness to direct the actor to his own discoveries, giving the actor the time, space, and encouragement he needs to act on his own impulses and find his own character. I am eager to work with Greg Cicchino again.
-Eric Brakey (Actor - Graduation)
Greg Cicchino is a smart, trusting director. As an actor in collaboration with Greg, I always felt I could explore a character in total without feeling as though my choices were ever rejected outright or judged. He is the best kind of director - one who trusts himself and trusts the actors he works with to fulfill their roles respectively, allowing for the greatest creative potential possible.
-Rich Ugino (Actor - A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Greg's specificity, keen eye and clever instincts make it very easy to slip into his world. The clarity and meticulous care with which he leads his actors through his vision is at once a comfort and a challenge. He knows exactly what he wants and has the deft ability to mold his creation to his desires without rigidity, which allows the actor the freedom to experiment and explore within his structure and the piece to live and breathe moment to moment. There is not one millisecond on stage that is lost in hands. While style and presentation are his signature, he also works viscerally and from and deep understanding and connection to the story. A passionate, vibrant, wildly creative and refreshing young director. Greg has pushed me to challenge myself, to cultivate and refine my craft, to dig deeper and open up to both the most absurd and intelligent of choices.
-Shelleen Kostabi (Actor - Madame X)
Greg Cicchino creates an environment that is exciting and safe for actors to make big decisions. He shapes both actors as individuals and the production as a whole, using everyone’s unique skills to create powerful ensemble productions.
-Alice Bahlke (Actor - Romeo & Juliet)
Greg helped me pull together an important reading. He skillfully guided the actors through some challenging material and made the reading come alive so that I could see the strengths and weaknesses of my play. He truly respects writers and actors, and I highly recommend him.
-Eugene Grygo (Playwright – The Birthday Boy)
Greg is a one in a million director; a dream to work with. His passion for finding honesty in the art, and not a commercial product, is inspiring and uplifting. He is an actor's director--guiding the course of the project with open lines of communication, so that the rehearsal becomes more than just a director giving blocking cues. I never felt that I was being micromanaged. He has everything mapped out and under control and is always prepared to answer any question or I have without ever feeling challenged. He creates wonderful vibe throughout rehearsal, tech, and the run of the production. He is a very special director that any actor would be so lucky to have the chance to work with.
-Jason Michael Miller (Actor - Graduation)
Director and coach Greg Cicchino, helped me to bring my concert to life! He brought energy, wit, flexibility, and understanding to every coaching. He was very helpful to me in adding movement and character to the works of Sondheim and Bernstein, without compromising a supported vocal technique. I have been applying his ideas on how to clearly portray the quality of a piece, and my role in the story of the song, ever since.
-Erika Lloyd (Professional Singer)
Greg makes you want to do your best. You can trust him. You can trust that he's not going to squander your work. He's practical and accommodating without being a pushover or so 'open-to-anything' that a project lacks focus. On the contrary, one of the singular pleasures of my work with him was taking a step back from the narrow view offered by my one role and seeing the whole picture, his vision, and trying my best to do it justice.
-Ira Sargent (Actor - Antigone)
After those few first phone calls I knew my words could not be placed in better hands. Greg Cicchino succeeded in turning it into the powerful piece I envisioned while writing it.
-Trystin Bailey (Playwright - Man’s Best Friend)
I have worked with Greg as my director for an original musical, as a director for my own play, and as my director for a classic play...and I trust him as much with my work as a comedic/classical/musical theatre actress as I do with my words as a contemporary playwright. He respects the story, he tells the story, he is simply a joy.
-Bryn Boice (Actor/Playwright)
