Bob Shryock, a New York City-based actor-creator, director, teaching artist and producer visited Catawba College’s campus in early October to teach a series of master classes on movement and mask work, and more than 60 students took advantage of the opportunity to learn from him.

Born in the Philippines, Shryock bounced around the United States growing up in a military family. He has a daring, playful imagination that forms a strong triumvirate with his passion for creating and his love of dynamic, engaging stories. He credits these things to an adventurous childhood.

Shryock holds a master’s of fine arts in physical theatre from the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy, where he was able to train and study with some of Europe’s best master artists. He was also in residence at the FLIC Scuola di Circo in Turin, Italy, the Berliner Schule fur Schauspiel in Berlin, Germany and the Milano Teatro Scuola Paolo Grassi in Milan, Italy.

He is the associate artistic director for Ripple Effect Artists and the director of training for Lev Leytzan, a professional hospital clown organization. He is also a professional hospital clown for Lev Leytzan’s ElderHearts program and works regularly with Zany Umbrella Circus in Pittsburgh. Shryock is a member of Oberon Theatre Ensemble in New York City, Theatre Resources Unlimited, the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and the Dedicated Actors Group. He serves as a stateside recruiting associate for the master of fine arts program at the Accademia dell’Arte.

Shryock holds undergraduate degrees in biology and theater from Western Kentucky University.

Shryock’s visit was funded in part by Catawba’s Young Theatre Artist Development Fund, an effort begun by alumni Denise Nuzum Perrino and Dr. Ralph Perrino in 2011 at a Blue Masque Hall of Fame event. The fund supports deserving theatre arts students by providing monies for guest artists, workshops, travel to conferences and small scholarships. Contributions to the Young Theatre Artist Development Fund are encouraged and ongoing.