— BIOGRAPHY & CRAFT
Richard Zavaglia is a career Actor, Director and Teacher known for his Broadway, Off-broadway and TV/Film career and for being the Owner and Artistic Director of The Cabaret Theatre in East Orange, New Jersey. Richard studied with Uta Hagen, Michael Shurtleff and graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He has a true passion for the craft of acting and his work as a Director includes the winter 2016 stage production of BURNING DESIRE, starring Lou Diamond Phillips (PRODIGAL SON, LONGMIRE). His directing credits also include nationwide productions, such as LBJ, starring Laurence Luckinbill at Fords Theatre in Washington D.C., which raised $75,000 to benefit world hunger.
Richard's acting credits include his acclaimed 2015 Off-Broadway run of DINNER WITH THE BOYS starring Richard along with Dan Lauria and Ray Abruzzo and his 2018 lead role of Vince Lombardi in the production Lombardi at Riverside Theatre. On-screen Richard also booked the film role as Ed Howe in Warner Bros.' feature film, GOING IN STYLE (2017) starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Matt Dillan and Alan Arkin and some of his many additional on-screen roles include the films DONNIE BRASCO and BIRD. Richard's Broadway career includes his starring role in Neil Simon's CHAPTER TWO and PASSIONE.
Richard has taught in New York, Los Angeles, Texas and Florida as both a private coach and at conservatories such as the Burt Reynolds Institute of Film and Television, the Cuillo Center and at the prestigious Caldwell Theatre in Boca Raton, to name a few.
Actor
Director
Producer
Coach
Commanding stage and screen roles marked by subtlety, resonance, and emotional truth.
Precise visual storytelling and deep actor collaboration from table read to final picture.
Guiding complex theatrical and film projects from script development into full production.
Peer-to-peer mentorship and master training tailored for working actors and emerging talent.
Grounded in the rigorous traditions of mid-century American theatre and conservatories, Richard Zavaglia's training reflects decades of immersive discipline under legendary master teachers and foundational stage institutions.
Graduate
Conservatory
Conservatory
Decades
of Master Practice
NYC
Conservatory Lineage
Broadway
Stage-Tested Discipline
100+
Roles Analyzed & Performed
Stage
Dinner with the Boys
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway, produced at the Acorn Theatre on theatre row, "Don't miss it" said the New York Times and broadwayworld.com calls it a "funny friendly, big lug of a play." Richard was one of the leads in this run alongside Dan Lauria and Ray Abruzzo.
Director
Burning Desire
7 Angels Theatre
BURNING DESIRE was given a successful run at 7 Angels Theatre's winter 2016 season in Waterbury, Connecticut, with ten rave reviews and twenty-four standing ovations. The play was written by Lou Diamond Phillips and starred Phillips along with Tara Franklin, Ryan W. Gilreath, Jackie Aitken and Sophie Lee Morris. The play will be moving to Los Angles and New York very soon with Mr. Phillips and Richard as Producers and Richard continuing as the Director.
Film
Going in Style
Directed by Zach Braff, Richard performs the role of Ed Howe.
Actor RICHARD ZAVAGLIA takes a moment to study his lines in his trailer on the set of the new movie, "Going In Style." The film, starring Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin and Ann Margret, is a remake of the 1979 movie about three retirees who plan a bank heist.
MICHAEL CAINE, movie great from London, England, will star in "Going In Style" with Actor Richard Zavaglia. Zavaglia was born in Newark NJ and is thrilled to be acting with such an acting legend.
Stage
Lombardi
Riverside Theater
Richard performed the lead role of Vince Lombardi in the production of LOMBARDI at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida in 2019.
Scene
.
Drama
Commercial
PRODUCTION GALLERY
A visual record spanning theatre productions, TV, feature film characters, directorial rehearsals, and masterclass mentorship sessions across a lifetime of dedicated craft and artistry.
— ENDORSEMENTS & COLLABORATIONS
Direct observations from directors, fellow performers, and conservatory mentees who have shared the studio, soundstage, and theatrical realm with Richard.
"I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing Richard Zavaglia. I know that his experience and enthusiasm will be a benefit to anyone who chooses the path of the artist and has the opportunity to work with him"
- Ron Perlman (American Dad!, Sons of Anarchy)
"Richard Zavaglia's talent as an actor and teacher is only exceeded by his excellence at being a human being. Any student would be lucky to have him as a teacher."
- Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds, Godfather III)
"Richard Zavaglia, who remains one of the treasured few since we met and worked together some 20 years ago, is as accomplished and distinguished a creative force as I have met in my travels."
- Lou Diamond Phillips (Numb3rs, Longmire)
"Richie Zavaglia, a teacher and a mentor who has not only taught me the true art of acting but has taught me to discover and develop my talents as a true artist to utilize throughout my life. He brings out the best in every individual with passion, expression, motivation, positivity, grace, integrity, and compassion. His experience and ability to perform as a coach, director and producer has made a strong and positive impact in in my career to get the results needed. He has taught me to be what I choose to be and beyond."
- Michiko Ssaki - (Broadway tour, White Collar)
" When we actors venture into this crazy craft, we can only hope to find great and inspirational teachers along the path to success. For me, that instructor is Richard Zavaglia. As a world-class actor Richie knows the process well. He’s been where you’ve been and knows what it takes to get ahead. As a veteran director he can deftly digest a script and guide you through its mighty secrets in a way that makes perfect sense. As a result, his lessons take you to places that not only fill your head, but touch your heart."
- Todd Caster (10+ published plays, Dream a Little Dream of Me)
Working with Richie (Zee) is like unearthing your own personal treasure trove. The exhilaration of discovering creative gems that you didn't realize were there, just waiting to be claimed. He has crafted a wonderful life, working on Broadway, in TV and Film. He shares all that experience with his students. His enthusiasm for acting is infectious; work with him, and you'll catch it, but be warned... there's no antidote.
Richie and I came from similar hard-working class backgrounds, neither of us looking like likely candidates for the limelight. However he made a great life of it, and I am now working in commercials, on TV and recently in my first Hollywood movie, Pain and Gain, directed by Michael Bay and starring Mark Wahlberg, Ed Harris, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Tony Shalhoub, Bar Paly and many more. I'm living the dream. Thank you, Richie, from the bottom of my heart."
- Richard Haylor (Burn Notice, The Glades, Pain and Gain)
"Richard Zavaglia loves the craft and the art of teaching it. He inspired me to get back into acting and was instrumental in the development of my skills that helped me land national movie and TV roles."
- Peter Marzill (Burn Notice, House of Bodies)
"Richard has helped me understand and break down a script like I wasn't able to before. His interpretation of dialogue and instincts in a script uncovers subtext. If you know anything or nothing about acting he'll help you know more and be a better version of what you are."
- Elvire Emanuelle (HITS, Rock of Ages, Eclipsed)
“I worked with my good friend Richard in two plays. He's a complete professional, and one of the best teachers in our business. He's also a great soul. He helped make me a more giving actor... and man.”
- George Solomon (Darkness Before Dawn, Married with Children)
“Richie was responsible for bringing me to the next level as an actor. After years of working in community theatre, Richie’s classes gave me the skills and, most importantly, the confidence I needed to become a professional actor. In my first year, I booked a speaking part on The Glades on A&E and two professional stage roles. I recommend Richie Z.’s classes to anyone who wishes to pursue acting professionally.”
- Michael Beecher (The Glades, 12 Angry Men)
Technique is the vehicle for real human connection.
— MASTERCLASS & COACHING
Actors take somebody else's words and thoughts, and make them their own. It all starts with the script. Actors are interpretive creative artists. They fulfill the writers' intentions. I was trained to respect good writing and serve the text. You have to know how to identify CONFLICT and it must be in every scene or you have no drama or comedy.
An actor's tools are a vivid imagination and courage. You must be able to define and handle TEXT AND LANGUAGE. You need to be fearless, you need the ability to access true emotion and you need to understand that getting to a performance is a process. I try very hard to create a space of TRUST and to get you out of your actor comfort zone where you can be brilliant or you can fail and fall on your face, and you can risk being BOLD.
I believe acting is an honorable profession. You will become a better human being and you will learn a lot about yourself. In my over 50 years in the acting profession I have helped a lot of actors get jobs and more importantly, be good people through acting.
- Richard
Classical & Modern Scene Study
On-Camera Technique & Auditions
Directing & Production Guidance
Deconstruct complex dramatic scripts, master subtext, and elevate monologues through character work grounded in time-tested conservatory discipline.
Refine intimate lens control, self-tape performance, and audition readiness to deliver nuanced, unforgettable takes in demanding casting calls.
One-on-one consultation for emerging directors and creative leads on actor communication, staging dynamics, and set leadership.
Richard's guidance cuts directly to emotional honesty. He gives you tools you can actually rely on when standing in front of the camera or on stage.
Mentee & Working Stage Actor
A legacy of performance and production
From Broadway stages to film sets and conservatory classrooms, Richard's career spans years of dedicated artistic practice and craft.
Stage & Screen
Directing & Producing
Master Coaching
Decades of acclaimed performances across iconic theatrical productions and memorable cinematic roles.
Leading creative teams from concept to completion, shaping narratives with vision and precision.
Mentoring aspiring and seasoned actors to find their authentic voice and elevate their craft.
Sessions offered in-person and via virtual studio calls for dedicated professionals.
Explore representation, production collaborations, or personalized master coaching.
