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A Sower Went Out to Sow
Christ's Storytelling through Parables
Fr. Andy Younan, PhD
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A Sower Went Out to Sow
Christ's Storytelling through Parables
Fr. Andy Younan, PhD
Why did Jesus speak in parables? In this lesson, Fr. Andy reflects on Plato's Cave and its relation to Christ's storytelling. He offers an in-depth analysis of the Parable of the Sower, and how Jesus is sharing his reasons for speaking in stories within the context of a story.
Lesson Outline
- 01. Plato's Cave & the Storyteller
- 02. The Parable of the Sower
- 03. The Dirt & the Farmer
Fr. Andy Younan, PhD
Professor of Philosophy
Fr. Andy is the founding Rector of the Seminary of Mar Abba the Great, the seminary of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Peter the Apostle. He is an avid translator of Aramaic, and is the translator/editor of the Emmanuel prayer book, which contains English translations of Chaldean liturgical prayers. He is the co-author of Introductory Chaldean and Chaldean Grammar, and the author of Perpetual Jubilee: Meditations on the Chaldean Liturgical Year, Thoughtful Theism (Emmaus Press, 2017), and Advice from Aristotle: Life Lessons from the Nicomachean Ethics (Cascade/Wipf & Stock, 2022). He has a forthcoming book titled Matter and Mathematics: An Essentialist Account of Laws of Nature (CUA Press).
Father Andy received his PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in 2019, and his MA in Philosophy and Theology from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in 2005. He received his BA in Philosophy from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit in 2001. He is a current student in the Canon Law program at Catholic University of America. He has been a Professor of Philosophy at JPCatholic since 2009.
The Vocation of the Storyteller
The Biblical Call to Be Culture Creators
Prof. Chris Riley
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The Vocation of the Storyteller
The Biblical Call to Be Culture Creators
Prof. Chris Riley
What does it mean to impact culture for Christ? In this lesson, Prof. Riley draws on Andy Crouch's book "Culture Making" to reflect on this question. He discusses how Jesus as storyteller spoke to the culture of his time while also adding to it, and how followers of Christ are called to do likewise with the cultures we live in.
Lesson Outline
- 01. What Exactly is Culture?
- 02. Cultivating the Garden in Genesis
- 03. Jesus As Storyteller
- 04. How Does Culture Change?
- 05. Impacting Culture for Christ
Chris Riley
Professor of Film
Chris Riley is a screenwriter with over 25 years of experience, and from 1995-1998 he worked as Manager of Script Processing at Warner Bros. He is known for authoring The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style, which serves as the definitive guide on script formatting, used by professional screenwriters and film schools across the nation. His latest book The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters was co-written with his wife Kathy Riley.
His first film After The Truth, an award-winning courtroom thriller written with his wife Kathy Riley, sparked international controversy when it was released in Germany. Other credits include 25 To Life, a dramatic thriller for Junction Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures; The Other White House, a political thriller for Sean Connery's Fountainbridge Films and Intermedia; Aces, an action-adventure romance for Paramount Pictures; and a screen adaptation of the book Actual Innocence for Mandalay Television Pictures and the Fox television network.
From 2005 through 2008, he served as director of the acclaimed Act One Writing Program in Hollywood, which trains Christians for careers as writers and executives in film and TV. He has taught screenwriting at JPCatholic since 2007.
The Storyteller & the Cross
Discipleship as a Creative
Prof. Steve Kramp
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The Storyteller & the Cross
Discipleship as a Creative
Prof. Steve Kramp
Who are you writing for? Why? In this lesson, Prof. Kramp reflects on the struggles inherent to a vocation as a writer, and how that ties in to the unique journey of a Christian creative. He shares encouragement from Scripture, advice on how we can purify our intention as writers, and a reminder to be motivated by love for the reader.
Lesson Outline
- 01. What are we Writing for?
- 02. The Cross for a Writer
- 03. Storytelling as a Disciple
- 04. 10 Practices for Christian Writers
Steve Kramp
Professor & Chair of Creative Writing
Steve is a theologian and prize-winning poet. Prior to coming to JPCatholic he taught courses in writing, literature, and cultural history at a number of universities and colleges, including the University of California, Merced, and the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He holds a BA in English from the University of Oregon, an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and an MA in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He also worked for three years in youth ministry at a Seattle-area parish.
In his classroom teaching Steve often returns to his primary intellectual interest, which is the intersection of faith practice and artistic practice. In addition to his teaching and administrative service as Creative Writing Chair at JPCatholic, Steve is currently working on Holy Saturday, a series of long poems.
All the World's a Stage
Humanity & the Performing Arts
Prof. Lee Eskey
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All the World's a Stage
Humanity & the Performing Arts
Prof. Lee Eskey
What can the performing arts tell us about our own humanity? Prof. Eskey uses Shakespeare’s famous quote as a springboard for discussion on intention, action, and surrender. He describes how training as an actor can inform the Christian dramatist’s growth in sanctity and integrity, developing not only as a performer but also as a human striving for sainthood.
Lesson Outline
- 01. Acting & Character
- 02. Intention & Action, Not Control
- 03. Made in the Image of God
Lee Eskey
Professor & Chair of Acting
Lee has been a professional actor, director and teacher for 20 years. Theatres include The Folger Theatre, The Denver Center Theatre Company, the Kentucky and Virginia Shakespeare Festivals and The National Players, as well as The Actor's Playground, a Los Angeles theatre company which he co-founded with Rick Wasserman. In LA he has also served on the faculty of Holy Wood Acting Studio and the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio.
Much of Lee's time in Hollywood has been spent as an acting coach, working with diverse talent, from comedians and magicians to series regulars on network television and in feature films. Lee incorporates Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body (TOB) into his work with artists and he is currently completing requirements for certification from the Theology of the Body Institute. Lee has a particular interest in forming skilled actors who are ready and able to bring their craft to the service of the New Evangelization through professional careers in the performing arts.
Lee holds an MFA in Acting from the National Theatre Conservatory and a BA in Drama from The Catholic University of America. He has taught Acting at JPCatholic since 2012.
Exploring the Darkest Depths of the Soul
Portraying Evil in Fiction
Prof. Megan Eccles
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Exploring the Darkest Depths of the Soul
Portraying Evil in Fiction
Prof. Megan Eccles
"Even when they explore the darkest depths of the soul or the most unsettling aspects of evil, artists give voice in a way to the universal desire for redemption."
-St. John Paul II, Letter to Artists
In this lesson, Prof. Eccles discusses St. Irenaeus' philosophy of moral evil and natural evil. She outlines examples from film and literature for the five types of external conflict, as well as the four villain archetypes. She provides tips for writers on how to create compelling villains and obstacles that drive growth in the hero – and in the reader.
Lesson Outline
- 01. Natural Evil & Moral Evil
- 02. The Five Types of External Conflict
- 03. The Four Villain Archetypes
- 04. Ongoing Conversion & Learning From Characters
Megan Jauregui Eccles
Professor of Creative Writing
Megan is an author, poet, and professor of creative writing at John Paul the Great Catholic University. She writes dark, speculative fiction for young adults and is represented by Laura Galit of LKG Agency. Her writing has appeared in Kelp Journal, Coachella Review, Ladies of the Fright, The Lineup, and Dwarf+Giant. She is editorial assistant and social media manager for Hill Nadell Literary Agency. She holds a BA in Music from the University of San Diego and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of California Riverside-Palm Desert. She lives in San Diego with her husband and four sons.
“Watching these videos has confirmed for me that I can make an enormous influence on the world through the specific mediums I feel called to, and I can see better how storytelling is a spiritual gift. Thank you for making these courses available!”
–Naomi K.
Learn key principles of storytelling from veterans of Pixar's Braintrust, Warner Bros. Script Department, and Hollywood writers' rooms.
Learn key principles of storytelling from veterans of Pixar's Braintrust, Warner Bros. Script Department, and Hollywood writers' rooms.
Bringing Personal Themes Into Your Storytelling
Prof. Nathan Scoggins
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Bringing Personal Themes Into Your Storytelling
Prof. Nathan Scoggins
In this lesson, Professor Nathan Scoggins discusses the idea of themes within stories, how you can leverage your personal themes in your stories, and how to generate compelling themes by asking questions. Professor Scoggins stresses the idea of how every artist is a storyteller and encourages you to find themes that are important to you. This lesson will inspire you to tell deep and compelling stories.
Lesson Outline
- 01. We’re All Telling Stories
- 02. What is Theme?
- 03. How To Craft Thematic Statements that Connect
- 04. How To Find Your Personal Themes?
- 05. Pressing Into the Meaningful Emotions of Your Life
- 06. Made for the Chase
Nathan Scoggins
Professor of Film
Nathan is an award-winning filmmaker, whose credits include The Least of These, released in 2011 by Universal and starring Isaiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy) and Robert Loggia (Independence Day); the TV movie The Perfect Summer, starring Eric Roberts; and the 2022 film What Remains starring Cress Williams (Black Lightning), Kellan Lutz (Twilight), and Anne Heche (Volcana). He won the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest in 2012 and 2013 with “Sling Baby” and “Fashionista Daddy”. In addition, two of his award-winning short films were released by Lionsgate on DVD in 2008. He has written and developed projects for many companies in Hollywood. Nathan holds a BA in English and Film from Wesleyan University.
The Basics of Storytelling: What is Story?
Prof. Chris Riley
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The Basics of Storytelling: What is Story?
Prof. Chris Riley
In this lesson, Professor Chris Riley walks you through the basics of story and outlines how to create heroes, goals for your heroes to strive for, and obstacles for your heroes to struggle against. The principle of the Hero-Goal-Obstacle Dynamic that Professor Riley teaches can be applied beyond written storytelling and into marketing and other forms of visual storytelling. Recommended for anyone looking to work on their storytelling skills.
Lesson Outline
- 01. Introducing The Hero-Goal-Obstacle Dynamic (11 minutes)
- 02. The Hero: The Heart of Your Story (12 minutes)
- 03. Goals and How They Motivate Your Hero (12 minutes)
- 04. Obstacles: The Essence of Dramatic Storytelling (16 minutes)
Chris Riley
Professor of Film
Chris Riley is a screenwriter with over 25 years of experience, and from 1995-1998 he worked as Manager of Script Processing at Warner Bros. He is known for authoring The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style, which serves as the definitive guide on script formatting, used by professional screenwriters and film schools across the nation. His latest book The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters was co-written with his wife Kathy Riley.
His first film After The Truth, an award-winning courtroom thriller written with his wife Kathy Riley, sparked international controversy when it was released in Germany. Other credits include 25 To Life, a dramatic thriller for Junction Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures; The Other White House, a political thriller for Sean Connery's Fountainbridge Films and Intermedia; Aces, an action-adventure romance for Paramount Pictures; and a screen adaptation of the book Actual Innocence for Mandalay Television Pictures and the Fox television network.
From 2005 through 2008, he served as director of the acclaimed Act One Writing Program in Hollywood, which trains Christians for careers as writers and executives in film and TV. He has taught screenwriting at JPCatholic since 2007.
Must-Know Storytelling Principles From Pixar
Prof. Colin Brady
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Must-Know Storytelling Principles From Pixar
Prof. Colin Brady
In this lesson, Professor Colin Brady gives you insights on eight key storytelling principles that he learned from his work in story development at Pixar Studios. From creating the idea of your story to pitching your script, Professor Brady brings you all kinds of tips to improve your stories and enable you to more skillfully share them with others. Recommended for those interested in creative writing for short stories, short films, poems, novels, feature films, or television.
Lesson Outline
- 01. Why is Story Important? (2 minutes)
- 02. Know Where You’re Headed: Write Your Ending First (6 minutes)
- 03. Know Your Genre (3 minutes)
- 04. Show, Don’t Tell: Could Your Movie Work with the Sound Turned Off? (7 minutes)
- 05. The “Gap”: Where Expectation Meets Result (5 minutes)
- 06. The Big Idea: Pitching Your Story (3 minutes)
- 07. Pixar’s “Braintrust” Model: Getting Honest Feedback (2 minutes)
- 08. Writing is Re-writing (8 minutes)
- 09. One Last (Ridiculously Simple, but Difficult) Piece of Advice (2 minutes)
Colin Brady
Visiting Professor of Animation
Colin is a director, creative producer and animation supervisor who has worked at Pixar, Industrial Light and Magic, Imagi Studios, Rhythm and Hues, and Pixomondo. He has directed animation for Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ang Lee, John Lasseter and Martin Scorsese. He has directed on such films as Everyone’s Hero, Astro Boy, TMNT, and Toy Story 2, and has supervised scenes for The Hunger Games, Hugo, Green Lantern and Spiderman. Colin is head of story and animation for Light Chaser Studios in Beijing working remotely from his home in Los Angeles.
TV Storytelling: How To Survive & Thrive in a TV Writers Room
Prof. Sheryl Anderson
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TV Storytelling: How To Survive & Thrive in a TV Writers Room
Prof. Sheryl Anderson
In this lesson, Professor Sheryl Anderson walks you through how writing for TV works and how to become a TV writer. Professor Anderson discusses practical and crucial tips for aspiring TV writers. Recommended for anyone interested in learning more about how writing for TV works. Especially recommended for aspiring TV writers.
Lesson Outline
- 01. Intro and Prepping: How to “Break In”
- 02. Your Portfolio of Scripts
- 03. A Guide of Pitching
- 04. Protocol and Performance: Rules of the Writer’s Room
- 05. [Season 1] In the Life of the Writer’s Room
- 06. Impacting Culture with Your Life: Pouring into Others
Sheryl Anderson
Visiting Professor of Screenwriting
An accomplished TV producer, writer, novelist, Sheryl has written and produced for hit TV shows such as Charmed, Flash Gordon, For the People, and Ties that Bind. She began her career as a development executive for Grant Tinker’s GTG Entertainment, writing for half-hour sitcoms Parker Lewis Can’t Lose and Dave’s World. She is a showrunner for the Netflix show, Sweet Magnolias.
Adaptation: Bringing Novels and True Stories To Life on Screen
Prof. Chris Riley
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Adaptation: Bringing Novels and True Stories To Life on Screen
Prof. Chris Riley
What makes a good adaptation? In this lesson, Professor Chris Riley guides you through the basic principles of adapting source material (such as novels and true stories) for film and television. The lesson features an exercise examining Stephen Spielberg’s film “Lincoln”, taking a look at the decisions that were made in adapting the life of Abraham Lincoln into a feature film. Recommended for anyone with a curiosity for how novels and real-life stories are distilled and written into movies. It is especially recommended for writers interested in making movies from short stories, novels, or real-life stories.
Lesson Outline
- 01. The Impact of Adaptation
- 02. What Makes a Good Adaptation?
- 03. How Literature and Real Life “Resist” Adaptation
- 04. Putting It All Together: Case Study of Spielberg’s “Lincoln”
- 05. How to Get the Rights for Source Material
Chris Riley
Professor of Film
Chris Riley is a screenwriter with over 25 years of experience, and from 1995-1998 he worked as Manager of Script Processing at Warner Bros. He is known for authoring The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style, which serves as the definitive guide on script formatting, used by professional screenwriters and film schools across the nation. His latest book The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters was co-written with his wife Kathy Riley.
His first film After The Truth, an award-winning courtroom thriller written with his wife Kathy Riley, sparked international controversy when it was released in Germany. Other credits include 25 To Life, a dramatic thriller for Junction Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures; The Other White House, a political thriller for Sean Connery's Fountainbridge Films and Intermedia; Aces, an action-adventure romance for Paramount Pictures; and a screen adaptation of the book Actual Innocence for Mandalay Television Pictures and the Fox television network.
From 2005 through 2008, he served as director of the acclaimed Act One Writing Program in Hollywood, which trains Christians for careers as writers and executives in film and TV. He has taught screenwriting at JPCatholic since 2007.
Industry professionals and thought leaders discuss their insights on creative arts, innovation, and culture.
Industry professionals and thought leaders discuss their insights on creative arts, innovation, and culture.
The Kingdom of God is Within You: Advice from Catholic Actors
ft. Tom Wilson & Paul Rugg
Learning Humility in the Editing Room with Spielberg
ft. Dan Molina
Salt & Light: The Hollywood Mission Field
ft. Dean Batali
How to Get Christian Themes Greenlit: Practical Tips from a Screenwriter
ft. Bill Marsilii
Balancing Faith, Family, & a Career in Media
ft. Dan & Peggy Rupple
Beauty, Truth, & the Artistic Vocation
ft. Tim Reckart
Charting a Career in Television: Q&A with a Showrunner
ft. David Greenwalt
The Groove Mindset: Reaching Your Potential
ft. Bradley Rapier
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Tom Wilson (Biff from Back to the Future) and Paul Rugg (Animaniacs) share stories from their career as Catholics in Hollywood, what it takes to make it in the industry, and how to be an effective witness to the faith.
Paul Rugg
Paul Rugg is a writer-producer-voice actor who has worked with DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Disney, Warner Brothers, and Cartoon Network on movies and TV shows such as The Animaniacs, Freakazoid, Dave the Barbarian, and The Adventures of Puss in Boots.
Thomas Wilson
Thomas Wilson is an actor, comedian, and writer who is well known for his role as Biff from the Back to the Future series. He's also acted in TV shows such as Freaks and Geeks and Wing Commander and done voice acting work for properties such as SpongeBob Squarepants, Star Trek, Star Wars, Spider-Man, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. Tom has also been a writer under contract at Disney, Universal, and Nickelodeon Studios.
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Disney editor Dan Molina (Monsters at Work, The Road to El Dorado) shares a pivotal story from his work in animation, and how to turn failure into a stepping stone for your career.
Dan Molina
Dan Molina’s career in studio animation has spanned over 35 years. Starting as assistant director on The Secret of NIMH, he then found his true calling as an editor for animated features and television, working on films such as An American Tail, The Land Before Time, Cats Don't Dance, and The Road to El Dorado. From 2011 to 2018 he was supervising editor at Disneytoon Studios and served the same role on the Monsters Inc. spinoff series Monsters at Work for Disney+. He and his wife Julie have four children and one grandson, and live in Los Angeles.
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How do you find success in Hollywood while maintaining your values? Dean Batali (writer, That 70's Show) discusses his conversion experience and the tough moral decisions he faced in the writers room.
Dean Batali
Dean Batali has extensive experience in network and cable television, playing integral roles as both a writer and producer for That ‘70’s Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Good Witch. He is also a strong advocate for Christians’ presence in Hollywood, and co-authored the book Watching TV Religiously with theologian Kutter Callaway. Originally hailing from Washington state, Dean currently lives in Los Angeles.
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How do you reach mainstream audiences with Christian values? Catholic screenwriter Bill Marsilii (Déjà Vu) shares insights from his career, and specific steps writers can take to tell compelling stories that are entertaining, edifying, and marketable.
Bill Marsilii
Bill Marsilii is a Hollywood screenwriter who co-wrote Déjà Vu (starring Denzel Washington and Jim Caviezel) which sold for a record $5 million and remains the highest-selling spec script of all time. He has sold screenplays to studios such as Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros, and Lionsgate. He has also been a guest lecturer for a variety of film and screenwriting programs, including those at UCLA TFT, USC, NYU and Pepperdine, and has also served as a mentor for the Act One Screenwriting Program. He began teaching screenwriting at JPCatholic in 2019.
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Is it possible to manage the breakneck speed of a Hollywood career with a healthy family life? Dan and Peggy Rupple share their wisdom from decades in the industry, spanning The Price is Right and Sundance Film Festival.
Dan Rupple
Dan and Peggy Rupple have decades of experience with both mainstream media and Christian advocacy in Hollywood. Dan was a supervisor for CBS on shows like The Price Is Right and The Late Show with David Letterman, served as head of programming for multiple internet TV companies, and is currently the CEO of Mastermedia International, providing support for Christian media professionals.
Peggy Rupple
Peggy has spent over 15 years as a mentor and all-around networking guru for Christian film and TV professionals. She co-founded the Windrider Forum at Sundance, which brings together Christian universities and filmmakers to discuss how to effectively incorporate Christian values into film. JPCatholic students continue to participate in the Windrider Forum each year as part of their Sundance experience. Peggy and Dan have been married for over 40 years, with 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
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Film isn't about what's happening on screen; it's about what's happening in the mind of the audience. Oscar-nominated animator Tim Reckart (director, The Star) reflects on the power of emotion in film to spark a profound encounter with the truth.
Tim Reckart
Timothy Reckart is an Oscar-nominated writer and director. His animated short film Head Over Heels was nominated for an Academy Award, and his debut feature film, Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, was nominated for two Annie Awards and a Golden Globe. He was a lead animator on Charlie Kaufman's film Anomalisa, and animated various projects for companies such as Buzzfeed, Amazon, and Aardman Animations. He holds a master’s degree in directing animation from the National Film & Television School of the UK, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in history and literature. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children. He began teaching animation at JPCatholic in 2024.
Tim’s Oscar-nominated short film Head Over Heels is available to watch online here.
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What do TV executives look for in a pilot pitch? David Greenwalt (Grimm, Angel) answers this and many other questions from aspiring filmmakers, while recounting stories from his extensive career.
David Greenwalt
David Greenwalt is a TV writer, director, and producer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He worked as co-executive producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer until the third season, when he left to co-create its spin-off series Angel with Joss Whedon. From 2011-2017 he was showrunner of NBC's supernatural police procedural Grimm. David graduated from University of Redlands with a B.A. in drama, English, and education.
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Bradley Rapier (La La Land, Jesus Christ Superstar) applies his background in street dancing and Broadway choreography to a unique brand of motivational speaking, inspiring creatives to step out of their comfort zone and release untapped potential.
Bradley Rapier
Bradley Rapier is a choreographer, dancer, and creative performer with over 25 years experience in groove, storytelling and talent development. A pioneer in hip hop and freestyle dance, he performed in La La Land and The Goofy Movie, and was associate choreographer for Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway). As founder of the award-winning dance troupe The Groovaloos, Bradley's guest appearance credits include Dancing With The Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Ellen<, and he was also a contributing choreographer for World of Dance. Through his movement Groove Theory® he provides motivation and inspiration to business leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams to step out of their comfort zone and bring their authentic self to every single interaction.
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