Jeremy Kruse
Actor, Writer, Director, Educator
Writing for the stage. Writing about the craft. Creating stories for performance.
Books & Publications
The Young Actor's Handbook (Applause Acting Series) 2017
The Young Actor’s Handbook by Jeremy Kruse is a concise, practical introduction to the craft of acting. Drawing on the teachings of Stanislavski, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, Uta Hagen, and others, the book makes essential acting concepts accessible through exercises, theory, and practical guidance. Topics include script analysis, improvisation, acting for camera, auditions, and the actor’s professional life. An engaging resource for beginning actors, young performers, acting teachers, and anyone interested in understanding the art and craft of acting.
Vincent D'Onofrio Testimonial
"Jeremy Kruse's book, "The Young Actor’s Handbook", leads the young actor on the correct path. Jeremy is an experienced acting teacher who has broken down acting in an academic way while nurturing the soul of the actor. He understands the emotional aspects of good acting. I commend Jeremy and believe he has accomplished quite a feat in writing "The Young Actors Handbook."
Vincent D'Onofrio - actor, producer, and singer. He is known for his roles as Private Leonard Lawrence ("Gomer Pyle") in Stanley Kubrick's war film Full Metal Jacket (1987), Wilson Fisk in the Netflix series Daredevil, Edgar/the Bug in Men in Black (1997), and Detective Robert Goren in the crime television series Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He has also co-starred in The Judge (2014), Run All Night (2015), Jurassic World (2015) and The Magnificent Seven (2016). He recently played Vincent "Chin" Gigante in Godfather of Harlem and is currently filming The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Irma Sandrey Testimonial
“Jeremy was my student at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute through New York University. His book, “The Young Actor’s Handbook,” presents the fundamental acting principles that every actor and acting teacher should know. It clarifies concepts that sometimes take years to understand. The performance material is excellent. Jeremy has expertly compiled a manual that will serve the theatre and film community for years to come.”
Irma Sandrey - Irma acted in leading roles on Broadway, on off-Broadway, in regional theatres, on television and on film. She taught acting at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute from 1976 to 2016.
Geoffrey Horne Testimonial
“I have difficulty reading acting books. I still haven’t finished “An Actor Prepares” by Constantin Stanislavski, which I started to read in 1950. But, Jeremy’s book, “The Young Actor’s Handbook,” is easy to read. It is beautifully organized, intelligent, challenging and comprehensive.”
Geoffrey Horne - Geoffrey started studying with Lee Strasberg in 1954 and has been a teacher at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York since 1978.
Lockers
Test anxiety! Best friends moving away! Lockers addresses the universal ups and downs in the lives of young people in middle school and early high school. Written in vignette form, Moving, Kim, Cheaters, Mudslingers, Lawn Guy, The Sneak Out, Slice, Weavers, The Team, Family Man, The Party and Locker can be performed as a full-length play or as individual scenes, monologues and short plays, making it an excellent vehicle for fully staged productions, classroom work and young actor training programs. This piece was originally staged at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York.
Plays & Adaptations
Peter Pan Now
Original adaptation · Gorton Drama Studio · 2025
An original adaptation of the classic story, developed for young performers, featuring an original script and songs.
Cinderella
Original adaptation · Gorton Drama Studio · 2026
A theatrical adaptation featuring an original book and lyrics, created for a young ensemble.
SELECTED WRITING & RECOGNITION
BROOKLYN BROWNSTONE — One-Act Play
Selected as one of four finalists (out of more than 30 submissions) in Manhattan Repertory Theatre’s Winter One Act Play Competition (2012).
LOW HANGING FRUIT — Play
Workshop production at Second City’s Skybox Theater, Chicago (April–May 2004). Selected for staged readings at Abingdon Theatre Company, New York (2006), and BoarsHead Theater, Michigan (2007).
A TANGLED WEBB — Feature-Length Screenplay
Quarterfinalist, 2007 Slamdance Screenplay Competition.
LOCKERS — Play
Selected monologues published by Dramatic Publishing in Editor’s Choice: Audition Monologues for Women and Editor’s Choice: Audition Monologues for Men (2007).
Writing About Acting & The Craft
The Young Actor's Technique
In development
An exploration of the acting process and the development of technique for young performers, informed by years of teaching and working with actors.