Carl Forsman is a Professor of Acting and Directing at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), School of Drama, where he has taught since 2012 and served as Dean from 2012 to 2017. As founding Artistic Director of New York's Obie Award-winning Keen Company, he champions theater dedicated to “sincerity”—producing optimistic works that highlight humanity’s best qualities. His educational background includes: M.F.A. in Directing from University of Minnesota B.A. in Theater and Economics from Middlebury College Forsman’s artistic philosophy centers on vulnerability and self-knowledge in performance, rejecting the “great lie” of theater as pretending to be someone else. He emphasizes that great actors bring their authentic selves to imaginary circumstances, with research spanning classical adaptations, new play development, and sincerity-driven storytelling. His creative output shows consistent focus on humanistic narratives, with trends toward world premieres of translated works (e.g., Tina Howe’s ‘The Lesson’) and adaptations of literary classics like Booth Tarkington’s ‘Beasley’s Christmas Party’. Key recognition includes: Obie Award for Outstanding Production (‘Sin: A Cardinal Deposed’) Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Director (‘Voice of the Turtle’) As an educator, Forsman mentors UNCSA students in actor training while maintaining industry leadership through the Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers and Drama League Director’s Project. His administrative experience includes directing Dorset Theatre Festival and managing Blue Light Theatre Company. He actively engages with regional theater through partnerships like Piedmont Shakespeare Company, bringing classical works to broader audiences.
