Bria Walker-Rhoze
Everyone loves being told a story. So, let’s tell stories. Everyone’s stories. And let’s do it with truth, passion, and excellence.
-Bria Walker-Rhoze
Bria currently teaches Acting 1 and Acting 2, and directs and engages in intimacy, movement, and fight choreography for School of Drama productions.
Bria Walker-Rhoze is a multidisciplinary artist who currently serves as Artistic Associate of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre (FJT) in Evanston, IL. Bria was previously an Assistant Professor of Performance at the University of Pittsburgh where she served as Head of Performance and MFA Performance Pedagogy in the Department of Theatre Arts and co-organizer of the university-wide initiative Black Lives in Focus. Recent acting credits include: SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION (Quantum Theatre), THE GARBOLOGISTS (co-World Premiere, City Theatre), FIRES IN THE MIRROR (FJT & Pittsburgh Public Theatre), THE ROYALE (Rep of St. Louis, City Theatre), and roles in productions around the nation including: Denver Center Theatre Company, Triad Stage, The REP at Point Park, August Wilson Center, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, Theatre Aspen, and Aspen Ideas Festival.
Directing credits include: OBAMA-OLOGY, co-director of CROWNS (Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre), DOG SH*T (Bricolage Production Company – B.U.S. 11); OFF WITH HER MAIDENHEAD (The Pitch series for Merry-Go-Round Playhouse); FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE, WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, SURREALITY: AN EVENING OF SH*T THAT MAY BE DEEP (SUNY New Paltz); AVENUE Q (SUNY New Paltz & University of Pittsburgh); EMILIA, MISS YOU LIKE HELL, AVENUE Q (University of Pittsburgh); POLAROID STORIES (Southern Oregon University).
Writing credits include: The Baldwin | Giovanni Experience – Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre; “Crossroad” – City Theatre Company Spotlight Creator Series; “You Think the Arts Don’t Matter. What About Quarantine?” – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Other Voices OpEd; “Chant” – The Monologue Project; “Monk Monk’s Interlude”, “Tattered Love” – The Doll Confessions
Web credits include: “A Journey Through the History of Black Theatre” mini-lecture series – “Stay Creative” series, Wallstrip.com (CBS)
Bria received her BFA, Magna Cum Laude, from Wright State University and her MFA in Acting from the National Theatre Conservatory at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Most recently, Bria received the 2022 BroadwayWorld Regional Award for Best Direction of a Play for EMILIA at Pitt Stages.