Academic
Troy Coleman is a Ph.D. student in Theatre & Performance at the State University of New York Buffalo (UB), focusing on "Villains and Performer Wellness." With degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University, he integrates his scholarly insight with practical performance experience as a stage and screen union actor (AEA & SAG-AFTRA). Troy is trained in stage combat and is a certified Consent-Forward Artist through Intimacy Coordinators & Directors (IDC).
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Troy’s research on villains and performer wellness explores the methodology of playing villains to understand the impact of roles that inflict unjustified physical or emotional harm. His goal is to prioritize safety and mental health for performers on and off stage, developing approaches to playing villains that avoid creating genuinely harmful experiences. His research incorporates gender studies, critical masculinity, trauma awareness, and socioeconomic influences. In short, he wants to help train safer, scarier baddies.
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I am working on the pedagogy for playing villains because I want to find out the impact of roles that inflict physical or emotional harm on others in order to better understand how to prioritize mental health and wellness while engaging with these characters to create safer performance environments. I hope to give performers, be they the villains or heroes of the show, the ability to look in the mirror and honestly say, "There is no one I would rather be than me."
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Master's Thesis: Villains & Performer Wellness
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Actor
An accomplished stage and screen performer, Troy Coleman has built a dynamic career across regional theatre, touring productions, film, and television. His stage work spans classical, contemporary, and comedic roles, including standout performances with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, C.U. Presents, Foothills Theatre Company, Fearless Theatre, Misfit Theatre Co., Defiant Theatre Company, and Chicago’s Hell in a Handbag Productions. On camera, he has appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant, IFC’s Minor Accomplishments, and national commercial campaigns. A versatile artist, he also has extensive experience in improvisation, writing, and directing – originating multiple roles in world premieres and contributing to projects from Second City to Colorado Theatre Sports. Full credits available upon request.​
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Proud union member with
SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity Association