COMPANY, by Sondheim & Furtz. This November 2019 brought a new direction for me as DIRECTOR of the musical at MCC along with my awesome Co-Director, David Seaman. Our production focused on process and as such many songs were shared, split or arranged to provide featured vocal moments for all 18 cast members. Photo Credit: A. DeMers. Scenic Design: Rob Coste, Lighting: Andy Rogers and Costumes: Deanna Jeanne Smith. 

Directing: Annie Baker's CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, was a new adventure in approaching a script with more "naturalistic" style of dialogue with Margolis Method and devising processes. During our 4+ weeks of rehearsal, the students and I focused on finding the authenticity of the characters' based on the specific stage directions and dialogue as presented by playwright Baker. Within the distinction of "pauses, long silences" and other directives, we explored elements of Margolis particularly to enliven the isolated moments between two characters, focusing on "cause-absorb-and-effect," tracking "lines of energy" and distinguishing between "private/public worlds."

I was a Guest Artist at NJIT with Professor Augustus Wendell, Coordinator of Digital Design in the College of Architecture & Design and two students in the motion capture lab. I invited Kate Brehm, puppeteer and Margolis Method colleague to join me in the exploration of performance material for my solo project, HIDDEN WITHIN, utilizing Margolis Method qualities of Involuntary energy pulling the actor in various directions in the space. I am interested in using the mo-cap as film projection of a "digital self" alongside the corporeal self on stage, representing simultaneously the inner and outer expressions a character. Here are a few images from our experiments:

In June (2018), I participated in my first online-video shoot for Margolis Method Online Training. It was lots of fun, hard work. Building actor core strength! This actor prep video will be apart of a class session on Elastics & Springs.

Int'l Margolis Method Conference (Past Activity)
In January 2018, I presented a paper at the inaugural International Margolis Method Conference in Barcelona, Spain. This conference marked the 1st scholarly presentation of work by artist-scholars who practice and teach Margolis. It was a thrilling experience to share my research entitled, "“Embodying Margolis Method: Research in Cognitive Science and Actor Training.”

Hosted by MM Barcelona Director, Boris Daussà-Pastor at Fabra i Coats / Carrer Sant Adrià, 20 Fàbrica de Creació in Barcelona.

More info on Conference & Margolis Method in Barcelona here.

ATHE 2018: Theatre's of Revolution in Boston, MA (Upcoming) ATHE Session #410 on 8/1/18 from 4:30-6:00PM

Revolutionary Master Teachers: First-hand experiences with living master teachers: Kari Margolis (Margolis Method), Stephen Wangh (Inspired by Jerzy Grotowski), and Wendell Beavers (Developmental Technique™). Highlighting their revolutionary approach to psycho-physical actor training via somatic awareness. This panel includes myself, Liz Stanton and Jeremy Williams.

My part will focus on the revolutionary body of work in Margolis Method. Looking at the history of Kari Margolis and the development of Margolis Method in context with Etienne Decroux, Jerzy Grotowski, Laban/Bartenieff and other psychophysical acting practices. Highlighting the “revolutionary” nature of this work based on its focus of training actor-creators with the skills of the actor-playwright-director while providing an extensive body of exercises that allow the actor to have a daily practice to build the “skills” of an actor such as vulnerability, dramatic timing and causal relationships.               

More info at ATHE.org

In December 2017, I assisted Kari Margolis in a two-day workshop at Rhode Island College. This was a great experience in facilitating along with my colleague, Jackie McCoy. We had the opportunity to give individual feedback and demonstrate improvisations for the students. 

Photo Credit: Jarod J Hanson. Development began during Margolis Method Conservatory 2017. www.margolismethod.com