top of page
Writer's pictureM. Mercurio

Birthday Week & Theatre Season Wrap-Up

And just like that my theatre season is officially over. The AI at Delphi, (Presented by First Look Buffalo) closed this past Sunday, the set was taken down, and now my weekends have become open and I have time again. 


This past Monday was also my birthday! I am a huge fan of birthdays, something I have been told that I will grow to hate as I grow older. But I have always been really really excited about my birthday, and this year was no different - spending time with my family and eating good food (and cake too!) and just having a reason to celebrate makes me feel fulfilled. 


This year on my birthday they announced the long awaited Artie Award Nominations! My co-director and I, Catherine Burkhart, were nominated for Best Direction of A Play, for our show, London Calling, at American Repertory Theatre of WNY.  


As a relatively young director in the game (I’m freshly 27 years old) it was a whirlwind of emotions this past week to have to admit that I actually could have good ideas or that people would want to see my work, and continue to see it. If I am being completely honest, I have always struggled with feeling that I had any type of significance at all, either in the theatre community or just in general.  It's a weird feeling because at the same time, I felt that I need to be bolder to share my ideas and thoughts and projects, but was also not feeling like I had the right to do so. Thats one of the reasons I wanted to re-commit myself to writing this blog. This whole week has really shaped my perspective of myself and the work I put out into the world. 


To even be nominated is such a great honor, and there are so many people that has helped this show along the way to be what it came to be. First, I need to thank my partner, Andrew, who frankly was one of the first people who believed in me, helped me with research for the show, and endured long nights at home with me. Next are all the playwrights of London Calling, and the cast. You all made this show possible and If it weren’t for each of you  individually, this would have been such a different show.  Getting to work  with you and grow  both new and old friendships has been amazing. Of course I need to also thank Catherine, my co-director, for working on the other half of the show and being someone to bounce ideas off, and for just being a replay cool person to work with. I loved that we each had our own ideas and directed specific pieces within the work and were able to bring all these characters together so seamlessly. We really did build something wonderful together and I will be forever grateful that we had that chance to do it together. Lastly, I need to thank Matthew LaChiusa, who took a chance and trusted me, who paired up Catherine and me for this project, and who offered guidance and patience. For me, he made ART of WNY a place to call a second home. From the advice, to the ideas, and the beloved cheese and wine, Matt and the community at ART will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I plan on keep coming back as long as you’ll have me. 


Of course we won’t know who will win until June 10th, but I really just felt like this little community that has been cultivated around me needed and deserved some recognition as well. Now for a secret - i’ve never actually sat inside the theatre for the Artie Awards before. I usually hang out in the bar area or around the street during the after party, so I’m not sure how it really works or what to wear or really anything - I still felt kind of unseen ( which I am reminded is silly from Andrew constantly) - but I am learning to embrace my voice and be honest and truthful with what I want, and to share my ideas and that maybe people will actually want to listen. 

8 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page