Active in the industry, Mr. Kassel spent over a decade as a professional actor, director, and writer, involved in off- and off-off-Broadway, regional theaters, and several films and television shows.
GENEVA, IL, September 27, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Paul S. Kassel has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Supported by more than 20 years of experience in the field, Mr. Kassel is the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University. Responsible for the oversight of the School of Art and Design, School of Music, and School of Theater and Dance, he also supervises the university's art museum and external programs, including the Community School of the Arts, which comprises concert halls, performing arts centers, museums, exhibit spaces, and many classrooms. Moreover, Mr. Kassel oversees approximately 900 students and a $10.2 million budget.
Named to his present position in 2016, Mr. Kassel had been recruited from the State University of New York (SUNY) in New Paltz as a tenured professor of theater arts. During his career on campus, he also served as an associate dean and interim dean in the School of Fine and Performing Arts. Additionally, Mr. Kassel found success as an assistant professor of theater arts at Stony Brook University from 1998 to 2004 and at Bradley University between 1993 and 1998.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Kassel envisions becoming a consultant for primary institutions of higher education and arts organizations. In this capacity, he would provide guidance and expertise on management strategies, fundraising, and leadership development.
Active in the industry, Mr. Kassel spent over a decade as a professional actor, director, and writer, involved in off- and off-off-Broadway, regional theaters, and several films and television shows. He notably performed in the Broadway hit "Vampire Lesbians of Sodom" by Charles Busch. He also wrote a play called "The Velvet Pumpernickel," produced on Broadway in 1990.
Furthermore, Mr. Kassel published his first book, "Acting: An Introduction to the Art and Craft of Playing," via Pearson, first edition, 2006. He is preparing to publish his upcoming book on performance, neuroscience, and evolutionary studies soon.
Adding to his credibility, Mr. Kassel has been instrumental in his community as a regional arts leader for the DeKalb Entertainment Commission, founder of the DeKalb Entertainment Commission, and vice president of The Egyptian Theatre. He has also chaired the marketing and communication consortium committee, served as a strategic planning ad hoc committee member, and as a board of directors of the Walkway Over the Hudson. Among other involvement, Mr. Kassel has been active with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Mr. Kassel prepared for his career by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in communication and theater from Miami University in 1981 and a Master of Fine Arts in performance from Florida State University (FSU) in 1983. He remains active in his professional community as a member of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans, the Actors' Equity Association, and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Mr. Kassel received the inaugural Professional Achievement Award from FSU in 1983. Attributing much of his success to the work ethic he learned from his father, who immigrated from Germany after fleeing Nazi rule, he also notes his mother's inspiration as a pianist and lover of the arts.
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