Instructors
GREG BRAUN
Greg Braun is a professional actor and has taught for Susan Batson at her acting studio for more than ten years both in New York and Los Angeles. He received special mention in Ms. Batson’s acting book, “TRUTH”. In NY he has also studied with the likes of Sandy Dennis, Viveca Lindfors and Joe Paradise. His work with Ms. Batson as an actor extends back to 1993 where he was directed by her in three theatrical productions all produced at The Actors Studio. He credits this period as the education he always dreamed of in the art of acting. Thereafter, Greg started teaching acting at Ms. Batson's acting studio, Black Nexxus in New York and in LA. He has also been privileged to be directed as an actor in film and on stage by the brilliant Carl Ford: Writer, Director, Filmmaker and CEO of Black Nexxus. Greg credits the existence of The New Collective LA to Carl Ford and Susan Batson, who had a dream of creating a presence for the work in Los Angeles.
MATTHEW WORD
Matthew Word is a professional actor and founder of The New Collective LA. After graduating Georgetown University, Matthew moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting and quickly found work in Film, Television and Theater. After years of studying with Susan Batson at Black Nexxus, Matthew found his voice as a teacher. The creation of The New Collective represents Matthew’s belief that great art is born out of an individual commitment nurtured by a supportive community.
CLINT JORDAN
CLINT JORDAN earned a B. A. in Painting and Drawing from East Carolina University School of Art before moving to New York City where he trained and collaborated extensively with the world renowned Susan Batson and the ensemble FUSE from the 1980’s until the present. He was a founding member of the ground breaking theatre company MACHINE FULL and has acted, directed and written for theatre, film and television. He received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for the title role in the feature film VIRGIL BLISS, also nominated for The John Cassavetes Award and winner of the Atlanta Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize among many others.
His most recent work includes the features: MILK AND HONEY, an American Spectrum Premier at the Sundance Film Festival and DOWN TO THE BONE, A Sundance Best Director and Jury Competition winner as well as PAPER COVERS ROCK, a 2008 South by Southwest world premier in which he produced and acted, in collaboration with writer/director Joe Maggio as the first installment of Maggio’s ten part series based on Krzysztof Kieslowski’s “Decalouge”. He can also be seen in the features: The MOTEL, WHAT ALICE FOUND, PULLING, and CARRIE II THE RAGE. As a musician he has composed and performed music for a variety of projects including VIRGIL BLISS and the A&E documentary NEW YORK AT THE MOVIES.