Iosif M Gershteyn was born in the USSR and immigrated to the US around the time of the fall of the Soviet regime. Growing up in the US he was actively exposed to Russian language and culture, and was involved in Russian language theater productions, films and literary pursuits.
While in Primary and Secondary school he attended the Russian Literature and Drama Studio (NRLDS) where he performed various roles in the plays of Gogol, Chekhov, Bulgakov and others. Although never formally trained in theatrical acting or directing he consistently sought out opportunities to learn related skills (such as improvisational comedy – most recently) and was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to live and study in Moscow at GITIS.