MFA
Private Musical Theatre Instructor
School of Performing Arts - Theatre
Arbutus Building, room Arbutus Building
akshayapattanayak@capilanou.ca
Education
I hold an MFA in Acting from USC, a Master's in Theatre for Education and Social Transformation from Shiv Nadar University, and a BA in Social Sciences & Humanities from Ambedkar University. My training bridges performance and pedagogy, shaping a practice rooted in artistic rigour, social engagement and innovative approaches to theatre, voice and movement.
Bio
Akshaya Pattanayak is a performer, director and educator specializing in voice, movement and socially engaged theatre. He holds an MFA in Acting from USC, a Master's in Theatre for Education and Social Transformation from Shiv Nadar University and a BA in Social Sciences & Humanities from Ambedkar University.
His practice spans eco-theatre, devised work and intercultural performance, with professional experience across Canada, India and the U.S.
At Capilano, he brings a student-centred approach that blends artistic rigour with play, collaboration and innovative training methods to help emerging artists unlock their unique voices and creative potential.
Akshaya’s teaching emphasizes voice, movement and process-based training rooted in Linklater, Colaianni and Theatre of the Oppressed techniques.
He guides students to connect breath, body and imagination, fostering freedom, play and authenticity.
Drawing on Dorothy Heathcote and Viola Spolin, his classes blend rigour with improvisation and ensemble work. They encourage students to take risks, embrace vulnerability and discover their own creative voices within a supportive, collaborative space.
Akshaya Pattanayak holds an MFA in Acting from USC, earned on a full-ride scholarship, and is the winner of Best International Actor at the Make a Wish Film Festival. His work spans performance, directing and teaching across Canada, the U.S., and India, blending artistic rigour with socially engaged and innovative approaches to theatre and voice.