Lecturer, Acting Resident Intimacy Director Graduate Coordinator
Bio
Dr. Andrea “Andy” Grapko is a lecturer and the resident intimacy director for the Department of Theatre and Dance; she also serves as the department’s graduate coordinator. She holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and an M.A. with a focus in directing from Miami University in Ohio. She is an SDC Associate, and a member of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab, and the Association of Theatre Movement Educators. Her background includes over 25 years' experience as a director, with training in Michael Chekhov technique, Alexander technique, Laban, Bartenieff Fundamentals, and Forum Theatre (Augusto Boal).
Grapko is a certified intimacy coordinator through Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, working in film, TV, theatre, dance and opera. Her work as an intimacy coordinator has appeared at film festivals throughout the country and on Netflix, Hulu, Disney and The CW. An award-winning intimacy director with expertise in working with early-career actors, she has intimacy directed shows and taught intimacy workshops at universities, colleges, acting studios and theatres throughout the region. Grapko’s research interests include intimacy practices and protocols, as well as her previous work on Czech theatre director Evald Schorm.
What do you enjoy most about being part of UT Theatre and Dance?
I love being in a place where people are constantly innovating, thinking outside of the box and creating. I’m also grateful to be in a department with so many fantastic and supportive colleagues who are not only great people but who are all also doing so many interesting things.
What is your favorite thing about Austin?
It’s hard to choose just one - all the great outdoor spaces and activities, the incredible food and, most of all, the amazing live music scene.
Classes
Introduction to Improvisational Drama and Fundamentals of Acting
Areas of Expertise
Intimacy, acting, improvisation, movement, Michael Chekhov Technique, directing, Czech theatre
Recent Work
Recent Performances
Intimacy Coordinator, Film and Television:
Family Movie (feature film), Dir. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick, Gateway Entertainment, 2025
Bad Thoughts (TV series), Directors Jeremy Konner and Rami Hachache, Netflix, Season 1, Ep 101-106, 2025
Elastic Hearts (feature film), Dir. Milad Schwartz Avaz, Forty Five Films, 2025
Brothers (TV series), Dir. Jason Winer, Skydance, Season 1, Ep 10, 2025
Brothers (TV series), Dir. Erin O’Malley, Skydance, Season 1, Ep 108, 2025
I Always Hated My Brother, (feature film), Dir. Chris Hanson, 2025
Intimacy Director, Theatre and Opera:
Waitress, Music/Lyrics Sara Bareillis, book Jessie Nelson, Dir. Cassie Abate, Zach Theatre, Austin, TX
I Wanna Be a F*cking Princess, by Jenny Davis, Dir Patti Neff-Tiven, Ground Floor Theatre, Austin, TX
Beautiful, by Douglas McGrath, Dir. Stephanie Smith, Georgetown Palace Theatre, Georgetown, TX
Le Nozze di Figaro, by Mozart, Dir. Garnett Bruce, Butler Opera Center, Austin, TX
The Ghosts of Versailles, Music John Corigliano & Libretto William Hoffman, Dir. Madison Jackson, Butler Opera Center, Austin, TX
Falsettos, Music/Lyrics by William Finn, book William Finn and James Lapine, Dir. Trace Turner, Ground Floor Theatre, Austin, TX
Proof, by David Auburn, Dir. Kelly Gordon, Concordia University, Austin, TX
Hand to God, by Robert Askins, Dir. Julia Chereson, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX
Recent Publications
Interview by Lisa Schlepp - Off Stage and On the Air #626., KOOP Austin (July 21, 2021)
Dr. Andrea “Andy” Grapko is a lecturer and the resident intimacy director for the Department of Theatre and Dance; she also serves as the department’s graduate coordinator. She holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and an M.A. with a focus in directing from Miami University in Ohio. She is an SDC Associate, and a member of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab, and the Association of Theatre Movement Educators. Her background includes over 25 years' experience as a director, with training in Michael Chekhov technique, Alexander technique, Laban, Bartenieff Fundamentals, and Forum Theatre (Augusto Boal).
Grapko is a certified intimacy coordinator through Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, working in film, TV, theatre, dance and opera. Her work as an intimacy coordinator has appeared at film festivals throughout the country and on Netflix, Hulu, Disney and The CW. An award-winning intimacy director with expertise in working with early-career actors, she has intimacy directed shows and taught intimacy workshops at universities, colleges, acting studios and theatres throughout the region. Grapko’s research interests include intimacy practices and protocols, as well as her previous work on Czech theatre director Evald Schorm.
What do you enjoy most about being part of UT Theatre and Dance?
I love being in a place where people are constantly innovating, thinking outside of the box and creating. I’m also grateful to be in a department with so many fantastic and supportive colleagues who are not only great people but who are all also doing so many interesting things.
What is your favorite thing about Austin?
It’s hard to choose just one - all the great outdoor spaces and activities, the incredible food and, most of all, the amazing live music scene.
Introduction to Improvisational Drama and Fundamentals of Acting
Intimacy, acting, improvisation, movement, Michael Chekhov Technique, directing, Czech theatre
Recent Performances
Intimacy Coordinator, Film and Television:
Family Movie (feature film), Dir. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick, Gateway Entertainment, 2025
Bad Thoughts (TV series), Directors Jeremy Konner and Rami Hachache, Netflix, Season 1, Ep 101-106, 2025
Elastic Hearts (feature film), Dir. Milad Schwartz Avaz, Forty Five Films, 2025
Brothers (TV series), Dir. Jason Winer, Skydance, Season 1, Ep 10, 2025
Brothers (TV series), Dir. Erin O’Malley, Skydance, Season 1, Ep 108, 2025
I Always Hated My Brother, (feature film), Dir. Chris Hanson, 2025
Intimacy Director, Theatre and Opera:
Waitress, Music/Lyrics Sara Bareillis, book Jessie Nelson, Dir. Cassie Abate, Zach Theatre, Austin, TX
I Wanna Be a F*cking Princess, by Jenny Davis, Dir Patti Neff-Tiven, Ground Floor Theatre, Austin, TX
Beautiful, by Douglas McGrath, Dir. Stephanie Smith, Georgetown Palace Theatre, Georgetown, TX
Le Nozze di Figaro, by Mozart, Dir. Garnett Bruce, Butler Opera Center, Austin, TX
The Ghosts of Versailles, Music John Corigliano & Libretto William Hoffman, Dir. Madison Jackson, Butler Opera Center, Austin, TX
Falsettos, Music/Lyrics by William Finn, book William Finn and James Lapine, Dir. Trace Turner, Ground Floor Theatre, Austin, TX
Proof, by David Auburn, Dir. Kelly Gordon, Concordia University, Austin, TX
Hand to God, by Robert Askins, Dir. Julia Chereson, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX
Interview by Lisa Schlepp - Off Stage and On the Air #626., KOOP Austin (July 21, 2021)
Contact Information
Email address
andrea.
Website
andygrapko.com
WIN B.104C