Jeff Darland

History of Comedy

Department of Theatre

jeff headshot

Department of Theatre

Contact Info

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Jeff earned his MFA in Theatre Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019. He currently teaches in the VCU movement department, helping students discover their natural physical impulses through a variety of methodologies including as mask work, Commedia dell’arte, viewpoints, clowning and Laban technique.

After earning his BA in Theatre from Florida State University (2005), he spent 10 years in New York City performing in theaters as a comedian, as well as writing and devising live sketch comedy shows. While in NYC, he trained in Long Form Improvisation at the Upright Citizens Brigade and The Peoples Improv Theater.

Jeff has extensive experience behind the scenes of professional film sets, having worked on the television shows Royal Pains and Marvel’s Daredevil, the feature film Demolition, several music videos, as well as countless commercials.

Locally, Jeff has worked with VCU Medical School, the Richmond Symphony, SPARC and St. Catherine’s School.

He believes in the strength of an individual’s presence as well as collaborative playfulness and uses body-based storytelling to invigorate the imagination and help his students overcome creative obstacles.