Richard Kuhlman
Director
Richard has been a Los Angeles actor and director for the last 30+ years. He has directed productions in Los Angeles, Greensboro, N.C., Salinas, California, Seattle, Chicago, Cincinnati, and San Francisco, ranging from Tartuffe, The Importance of Being Earnest, Catch-22, and Of Mice and Men. His production of Inspecting Carol opened in Ojai, California, December 2008 and returned in ’09. He equally earned raves for his Ojai productions for Fuddy Meers, Fractured Fables, an original Old English pantomime of The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Skin of Our Teeth, a new drama Nonna, and the Restoration comedy The Provoked Wife at OYES, Ojai Youth Entertainer’s Studio.
Richard has been recently asked to serve as Artistic Director for the newly formed Foster Park Actor’s Theatre. Among the many one person shows Richard has directed is the Ovation Award nominated Non Vital Organs and the long running Cheerios in My Underwear, She’s History!, and Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead. His production of Regretrosexual won the LA Weekly Award for Best Two Person Play.
Richard has extensive experience working with both new playwrights and with classical texts. He taught improvisation at the Second City Training Center in LA, and as an actor in Chicago, Richard performed at Second City while working steadily in commercials. Since moving to Los Angeles, he has appeared in many films, such as John Cassavettes’ last film Big Trouble, Ron Howard’s Parenthood, and the Michael Keaton film The Last Time. TV shows include Seinfeld, The A-Team, ER, Caroline in the City, and Family Guy. He was a series regular as Tony the superintendent in Bonnie Hunt’s The Building for CBS, and was the father of the fiancé in Fox’s My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé.
Richard has adapted two of Steinbeck’s novels to the stage: Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat. Working with his writing partner Deb Hiett on several projects, he co-wrote and directed a short mocumentary film on the life of President James Buchcanan, Our Bachelor President, Setting the Record Straight. Their short film A Bit Of Counseling can currently be seen at Funnyordie.com, and it won the Audience Award at the first LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival.