Don Lewis Barnhart to Host 'The Actor's Responsibility From a Directors Point of View'

Beginning July in Las Vegas, Don Barnhart, Sr, Director of such notable shows as Mork & Mindy, Full House and Saved by the Bell will offer an ongoing actors workshop at The Las Vegas Comedy Institute working with actors preparing them to take their performance to the next level.

Don Barnhart, Sr was the director of hundreds of TV episodes including "Mork & Mindy", "Full House", "Benson" and "Saved by the Bell". Now, semi retired and living in Summerlin with his poodle, Jack, Barnhart Sr. is teaching an ongoing workshop for actors at The Las Vegas Comedy Institute founded by his son, award-winning comedian Don Barnhart, Jr.

Barnhart Sr Barnhart began his distinctive career as a disc jockey at KJAX in Santa Rosa, Calif., known as Jack Be Nimble. He spent 10 years in the radio business before making the leap to television as a stage manager working on "General Hospital", doing 1000 episodes and "never called in sick", he joked which was followed by "The Sonny and Cher Show".

He worked in that capacity on the daytime drama "General Hospital," doing 1,000 episodes "and never called in sick," he joked. The "The Sonny and Cher Show" followed that. Being stage manager meant dealing with egos and the stars' failing marriage.

When that shows ended, Barnhart stayed on to direct "The Sonny Bono Show." The concept and format were the same, and the gags were nearly the same, only Cher was not there. "It was like the Last Supper without Christ," Barnhart said of the show, which lasted 13 weeks.

Being a stage manager led to an assistant director position. Barnhart worked in that capacity for numerous TV music specials with stars such as Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra. His stage manager credits also include "McCloud," "The Bionic Woman," "Mork & Mindy" and "Beretta."

In 1981, eager to move up to being a director, Barnhart was hired for the final season of "Benson." His contract stipulated that he would be assistant director for five episodes and then direct the sixth. With the demo tape from that sixth show, he convinced creator Garry Marshall to make him director of "Mork & Mindy."

His toughest task on that set was trying to keep up with the rapid-fire imagination of Robin Williams. "His mental capacity was outrageous ... He could do 10 minutes (talking to) an egg, which the audience loved," Barnhart said. "But, in the editing room, you'd ... try to make some sense out of it, we had to tighten his piece up. A show is only 22 minutes long."

When Jonathan Winters joined the show, the ad-libbing between him and Williams took things to a new level. "If you don't learn funny from working (with them)," said Barnhart, "you shouldn't be in the business."

The Las Vegas Comedy Institute specializes in stand up, improv and comedy writing workshops along with acting, voice over, sketch and public speaking classes. The LVCI is the brainchild of Award Winning Comedian, Second City Conservatory Graduate, Author, Filmmaker, Comedy Club Booker, Consultant and Comedy Coach Don Barnhart. "Our goal is to teach, coach and encourage you to break through your comfort levels to achieve your highest potential and find the funny."

The LVCI is has just partnered up with Hollywood Bound Acting Academy which is one of the premiere programs for preparing the beginning and advanced actor or model with the right education and skills necessary to start and compete in the business.

For more information, please visit, LasVegasComedyInsitutute.com.