Jay Painter is an actor, director, improvisor, musician, teaching artist and what you could even call an all around Renaissance Man!
As a stage actor, Jay has performed in numerous Off-Broadway plays and national tours as well as many regional productions. His extensive work with the acclaimed Aquila Theatre Company includes Agamemnon (with Olympia Dukakis) and their celebrated productions of The Comedy of Errors and The Iliad among others. Additional notable theatre credits include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) national tour, Shakespeare Santa Barbara and work with various NYC theatre companies. Jay received a Planet Connections Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the world premiere of Kimberly Pau’s BOMB SHELTHER in 2011. He has made many appearances in television as well as independent films, commercials and web series. Jay was featured in his own segment (posing as a reporter) on National Geographic Channel’s Emmy nominated BRAIN GAMES. He also travels all over the country with Ancient Greeks/Modern Lives performing ancient Greek theatre in libraries and Veteran centers.
Jay is Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and performer with the improv comedy production company Face Off Unlimited, creators of the live Japanese game show BATSU!, Friday Night Face Off(Long Island’s longest running improv show), their three man rock musical long-form improv show A Whole ‘Nother Level, and they are developing new shows constantly! He led the development of and directed their latest creation GOON RIVER, a brand new improvised storytelling experience performed in total darkness!
Jay is also one of the stars and producers of the hit comedy podcast/radio show In the Room with Joe, Jay, Eric, and Lyle. “ITR” is available for free download on iTunes and Stitcher and is also broadcast on radio stations across the country.
Addionally, Jay has taught workshops in improv, Shakespeare, mask work, and physical acting at universities, schools, and performing arts centers all over the nation. He leads an afterschool “Shakespeare Leaders” program at Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem, NYC where he has directed productions that were performed in Off-Broadway theatres. Currently Jay teaches improv with his company Face Off Unlimited and acting with the Secret Theatre in L.I.C., Queens.
Jay hails from the mountains of West Virginia where he attended Davis & Elkins College (graduating Magna Cum Laude), Shepherd University, and studied with mime master Reid Gilbert. In NYC, Jay has studied comedy acting with Richard Kline (Larry from Three’s Company), classical acting and clowning with Aquila Theatre Company, and improvisation with the Second City Training Center, The PIT, and AnnoyanceTheatre’s Joe Bill, along with many others.
He is a proud member of Equity and SAG/AFTRA.
