Behind the Scenes
Cynthia Straus is a dynamic actor, educator, and creative force whose career spans coast to coast, with deep roots in both New York and New Mexico. With over two decades of experience in film, television, theatre, and arts advocacy, Cynthia has emerged as a sought-after voice and acting coach, known for blending classical training with modern storytelling.
“In June 2015, Cynthia was handpicked by renowned British voice and acting coach Patsy Rodenburg for her inaugural class of The Patsy Rodenburg Master Teacher Certification Program, which later became The Patsy Rodenburg Associate Programme (PRA). In July 2017, she became a Patsy Rodenburg Associate, joining a prestigious group of global voice professionals. Since then, she has taught in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and New Mexico. Cynthia was honored to be hosted by Chicago's Stillpoint Theater Collective as a guest teacher for The Persephone Project at The Cook County Women's Jail, leading Voice and Presence exercises and co-teaching in workshops for women awaiting trial. In 2018 she founded Authentic Voices, LLC, a producing and teaching entity designed to create, cultivate and support projects related to social impact, awareness and female empowerment.”
Cynthia’s career behind the scenes began in New York City, where she interned at Elissa Myers Casting. She then forayed into Television interning on ABC pilot Fortune Dane. She worked as assistant to Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Louise Westergaard (Sophisticated Ladies, Say Goodnight Gracie). After graduating from Oberlin College and training at The Neighborhood Playhouse, Cynthia expanded her career into production offices and independent film, ultimately relocating to New Mexico after working on Independent film Tortilla Heaven.
In New Mexico, Cynthia immersed herself in the regional film and theatre scene. She worked as a production coordinator on Naked Fear, gaining entry into the Local 480 IATSE Union. In tandem with her work behind the camera she stayed creatively active teaching acting at the University of New Mexico and with the Taos Filmmakers Initiative. She supported the Taos Talking Pictures Festival, and co-produced The VDAY Campaign in Taos, including its hugely successful fundraising launch party and performances of The Vagina Monologues, all benefitting the Taos Community Against Violence (CAV) Women’s shelter.
Cynthia was a founding Board Member, Vice-President, and Interim President of New Mexico Women In Film(NMWIF). She initiated the NMWIF PSA Program, producing a public service announcement for The Santa Fe Rape Crisis and Trauma Treatment Center with Ali MacGraw, which aired for two years locally. Another innovation credited to her is the creation of the NMWIF Sage Award, presented to industry legends Shirley MacLaine and Ali MacGraw, among others.
Dedicated to service and social impact from early on, Cynthia served on the Board of Young Artists United (YAU) in New York where she worked with youth at risk, and led art-based community initiatives. She volunteered with The Mastery of Acting, Northern Lights Alternatives, and The AIDS Mastery, helping to support people living with life-threatening illnesses. Cynthia was mentored during this time by Theatre Producer and AIDS Activist, Sally Fisher.
Cynthia sits on The Board of Directors for the League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), and has done so since 2020, coming in at a critical time when live theater was at risk due to The COVID 19 Pandemic. She has been an active member of LPTW since 2017. She also belongs to New York Women In Film & Television (NYWIFT), and holds honorary Lifetime Membership with New Mexico Women In Film granted for her spearheading work as a founding member.
She is married to Native American actor, musician, and martial artist Alan Tafoya, and they divide their time between New York and New Mexico.