IN THE NEWS:
Conor McPherson's The Night Alive Concludes its 2-week Run at the Chester Theater #berkshiretheater - June 2019
With a uniformly exquisite and talented cast including Justin Campbell, James Barry, Marielle Young, and Nick Ullett. Brilliant Design by Ed Check, set; Charles Schoonmaker, costume; Lara Dubin, lighting; Tom Shread, sound; Alexander Sovronsky, fight director.
Directed by Daniel Kramer.
Directed by Daniel Kramer.
 Joel as Kenneth - pictured with James Barry as Doc
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"Ripka's Kenneth is a commanding presence in all the right and sly ways." - Jeffrey Borak, The Berkshire Eagle
"Kenneth is a games-player moving his opponents around a chess board of his own designing. He manipulates Doc, and later Tommy, into playing his game his way, but he meets an unexpected comeuppance from his own worst victim. Ripka is brilliant in this part. He never telegraphs his character's intentions and yet we feel what he's about, we fear him from his first entrance to his final exit. Subtle evil is much harder to stomach than telegraphed bad-guy-ism. Ripka handles this role with professional aplomb and though the jokes stop for a while, they still seem to hang in the background of all of his scenes." - J Peter Bergman, Berkshire Bright Focus "When Joel Ripka’s Kenneth enters it is obvious that, despite his charm, there is an aura of danger encompassing him. His transition from bonhomie to violence is smooth and occurs incrementally." - Macey Levin, Berkshire on Stage |
Behind the Sheet at Ensemble Studio Theater, NYC Extended For a Third Time - Now Through March 10th, 2019! #OffBroadwayTheater
The New York Times Critic's Pick show (reviewed by Ben Brantley) extended until March 10th, the 3rd extension of the run. Written by Charly Evon Simpson; Directed by Colette Robert
With a stellar cast that also included Stephen James Anthony, Nia Calloway, Naomi Lorrain, Cristina Pitter, Shawn Randall, Megan Tusing, Amber Reauchean Williams and Jehan O. Young.
"...directed with Olympian calm by Colette Robert, the production takes on cumulative power in its steady, cleareyed depiction of a time when it was a given that pain would be borne uncomplainingly by human beings regarded as chattel." - "These voiceless moments paradoxically give a resonant voice to women who never got to tell their stories. “Behind the Sheet” may be a quiet play. But its echoes are thunderous." - Ben Brantley, The New York Times
With a stellar cast that also included Stephen James Anthony, Nia Calloway, Naomi Lorrain, Cristina Pitter, Shawn Randall, Megan Tusing, Amber Reauchean Williams and Jehan O. Young.
"...directed with Olympian calm by Colette Robert, the production takes on cumulative power in its steady, cleareyed depiction of a time when it was a given that pain would be borne uncomplainingly by human beings regarded as chattel." - "These voiceless moments paradoxically give a resonant voice to women who never got to tell their stories. “Behind the Sheet” may be a quiet play. But its echoes are thunderous." - Ben Brantley, The New York Times
BIOGRAPHYSometimes charming, relatable, and innocent (Raleigh Brummet, Last Train to Nibroc), other times dark, cunning, and intellectual (Raskolnikov, Crime and Punishment), Ripka plays a range of characters in classical and contemporary theater in NYC and in regional houses across the country. He is a two-time Berkshire Theater Critics award winner - best solo performance - Every Brilliant Thing and best ensemble - The Aliens, both at the Chester Theater - 2017, 2018. He's also an accomplished musician, playing both the piano and guitar.
Joel began his career in Pittsburgh after studying at Point Park University's Conservatory Program. He's performed in countless Equity productions including many world premieres at many of Pittsburgh's nationally recognized houses, including the Pittsburgh Public, City Theater, The Rep, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theater, and Quantum. Joel currently lives in Manhattan, NYC, where he's performed in Off-Broadway productions at Ensemble Studio Theater, INTAR, and Abingdon Theater Company. |
Headshot 1 - Click to Enlarge
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Bachelor of Fine Arts, Drama-Point Park College Conservatory, Pittsburgh 2001
ACTING: John Shepard, John Amplas, Rich Keitel, Nancy Chesney, Shirley Tannenbaum, Robin Walsh ON-CAMERA ACTING: John Shepard VOICE TRAINING (SINGING AND SPEECH): Dr. Shirley Barasch, Shirley Tannenbaum Resume for Download below:
Headshots for Download below:
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SPECIAL SKILLS
Formal training in piano; rock/folk guitar, impersonations, character voices, juggling, manual transmission, Dialects: Scottish, Irish, French, Italian, Cockney, Brooklyn, North Country British, German, High British, New York, Pittsburgh, Southern.
WORDS, WORDS, WORDS.
"Irresistible charm, extraordinary gifts, and human frailty and complexity shine in the performance of Joel Ripka as KJ. This actor portrays a somewhat tragic figure with grace and often glee, especially when he sings. He never crosses the line which might make the character feeble; instead, his performance gives life and light to KJ, and credence to the affection which the others so clearly hold for him." - Mary Fernandez-Sierra, In The Spotlight, Inc.
"Something special is happening at Chester Theatre Company. It's called "Every Brilliant Thing." - "It's here now in an delicately shaped, exquisitely balanced production directed by Daniel Elihu Kramer, performed with unassuming authority and authenticity by Joel Ripka." - Jeffrey Borak, The Berkshire Eagle
"As Raskolnikov, the poor student, Joel Ripka gives a dynamic performance that should be recognized when the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette chooses its performer-of-the-year. Ripka goes through a broad range of emotions. Sometimes he is the docile student, sometimes the mad philosopher, sometimes despondent denizen of the lower depths. It is an electric performance, and Ripka radiates!" -F. J. Hartland, Pittsburgh's Out Online
"Joel Ripka is the Swan, and I mean "IS" and not just is playing. His slow transition from animal into human is heaven to watch. Ripka is agile and handsome in a strangely romantic fashion, and he moves his character forward and upward with single leaps...Ripka is remarkable. He is a bird, and he is a human being and he is a God and he is a brutal and self-supporting animal, all at once and always with a seamless sense of disclosure." -J. Peter Bergman, Berkshire Bright Focus