Rebecca Johannsen

Dr. Rebecca Johannsen currently teaches Speech and Communication at Mercy College in New York, as well as Theatre at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Dr. Johannsen holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from the joint doctoral program at UC Irvine and UC San Diego. She also holds a Master’s degree in Theatre from SDSU. Shortly after graduation from SDSU she founded Stone Soup Theatre Company, one of San Diego’s most critically acclaimed theatre companies. Dr. Johannsen has focused on connecting acting skills with coaching public speaking for the last seven years, working with a variety of clients to improve public speaking skills and emotional intelligence. She also actively works in the Off-Off-Broadway Theatre, producing and directing works at NYC’s infamous La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.

Dr. Johannsen’s approach to teaching public speaking stems from her life-long study of acting methods. She works with clients to discover strengths and areas for improvement, then introduces skills developed by actors to enhance the client’s understanding of their own bodies, voices, and message. Rather than instructing participants in the “right” and “wrong” of public speaking, Dr. Johannsen works with clients to discover their most natural, comfortable, and confident public selves.

Education

• Ph.D. UC Irvine (2004 — 2010)
• M.A. San Diego State University-California State University (1998 — 2000)
• B.A. University of California, Santa Cruz (1995 — 1997)

Companies

• Adjunct Faculty NYU (2011)
• Executive Trainer UCSD Rady School of Management (2009)
• Visiting Assistant Professor Mercy College (2012 — 2016)
• Executive Assistant Brilliant Projects (2011 — 2012)
• Adjunct Faculty Mildred Elley (2011 — 2012)
• Adjunct Faculty Fordham University (2011 — 2011)
• Artistic Director Stone Soup Theatre Company (2001 — 2011)
• Lecturer CSU Northridge (2010 — 2010)
• Associate Faculty MiraCosta College (2005 — 2010)