Education
Columbia University.
Columbia University.
Born in Paulsboro, New Jersey on September 10, 1927, Montanaro earned a theater degree from Columbia University and began performing stock theater with actors such as Jason Robards and Jackie Cooper. Montanaro had a long career of well-received performances in Europe and the United States. He designed and hosted the award-winning Columbia Broadcasting System-television children"s show, "Pretendo".
After performing and teaching around the world, Montanaro journeyed to another Paris -- South Paris, Maine, where in 1972, he founded the Celebration Barn, a theater/school of mime, improvisation, storytelling and other performing skills.
Celebration Barn alumni have gone on to careers in television, film and theater, including puppeteers with Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, writers for Between the Lions, hosting Dancing with the Stars, and as performers in Cirque du Soleil. The couple also toured widely with their two-person show, The Montanaro-Hurll Theatre of Mime and Dance.
In 1995, the Montanaros authored Mime Spoken Here: The Performer"s Portable Workshop, a guide to the craft of mime, character work, and improvisation, and a pair of accompanying instructional videos. Mr. Montanaro died at his home in Casco, on Friday, December 13, 2002.
In 2004, thirty eight performers, all past students, came together for a series of concerts to honor their teacher.
A 2006 film, Theatre & Inspiration, celebrates his life and contributions to the world of theatre.