JV MERCANTI



JV MERCANTI

(646) 361-5429 / mercuryjv@



Education:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey: Mason Gross School of the Arts

Master of Fine Arts: Directing, May 2007

Thesis: Therese Raquin: An Exploration of Fear (On-Stage and Off). This document explores the process of directing my final production, Neal Bell’s adaptation of Emile Zola’s Therese Raquin, from play selection through final self-analysis of the production.

New York University: Gallatin School of Individualized Studies: 1997

Bachelor of Arts: Individualized Studies with a concentration in Educational Theatre and English Literature. Cum Laude

Teaching Experience:

Director of Acting, Musical Theater, September 2014 – Present

• Junior Acting: Heightened Language and Verse. Starting with teaching the basics of scansion, moving to sonnets, then to speeches and soliloquies, the students gradually build on their technique and understanding of Shakespeare’s language as individuals before moving to scene study late in the semester. Movement, strengthening, and core work aid the student actor in building a body ready to tackle the physical and vocal demands of heightened language.

• Sophomore Acting: Introduction to Scene Study. Starting with a common text, we explore the necessary script analysis techniques an actor needs in order to mine the text for clues. From there we move on to “how to rehearse.” What do you need to know as the actor? What should you be doing? When to stop and when to press on? What are you doing at any particular moment, physically and emotionally. Most importantly, we study the importance of your partner.

• Director, The Pajama Game

Spring 2015

Lecturer, Fall 2012 – Spring 2013

University of Miami, Department of Theatre Arts

• Senior Auditioning: a comprehensive exploration of the audition process including choosing proper material, entering the room, appropriate wardrobe, etc. We also begin the arduous process of Showcase material selection.

• Introduction to Directing: see below.

• Intermediate Acting 1: a beginning scene study class geared towards the general BA population, not the Conservatory students. Focus on script analysis, general comfort on stage, listening and responding, making strong choices based in textual understanding.

• Advisor: Serve as Faculty Advisor to incoming Freshmen.

• Director: In collaboration with the Adrienne Arsht Center, we workshop and develop and the new musical Girls vs. Boys, mounted at the Arsht’s Carnival Theatre. The workshop production ends with a production of the new script, starring the University students.

Visiting Assistant Professor, Fall 2011 – Spring 2012

University of Miami, Department of Theatre Arts

• Freshman Studio: a brief introduction to the teachings of Uta Hagen transitioning into the Meisner technique, starting with repetition and other basic improvisations moving into script analysis and character development in the second semester.

• Senior Acting: a semester-long action-based scene study intensive focusing on 19th Century European drama. Scripts include: The Seagull, La Ronde, Miss Julie, A Doll’s House and A Flea in Her Ear.

• Introduction to Directing 1/2: an intensive course detailing the process of directing from play selection to final production. The course is designed to combine practical work with theory and discussion to illustrate the work a director needs to do in order to bring a script to life. The second semester of this course focuses on the playwright’s voice: Tennessee Williams, Harold Pinter, Caryl Churchill.

• Senior Showcase: assist the Seniors in selecting the proper material for Showcase as well as directing and promoting the event in both New York City and Los Angeles.

• Other responsibilities included directing two plays in the Studio Theater: Jailbait by Deirdre O’Connor and the world premiere of Odile’s Ordeal by Lucas Hnath, a staged reading of Violet by Tesori and Crawley. Also consulted with Department Chair on play selection for upcoming season.

Adjunct Professor, Spring 2011

Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus

• Teach a scene study course for second year sophomores with an emphasis on integrating Stanislavsky technique with non-realistic texts. The actors will work with playwrights outside the canon of mainstream realism. Work with heightened movement and voice extends the actors’ vocabulary. Texts include: Endgame, Samuel Beckett; The America Play, Suzan-Lori Parks; God’s Ear, Jenny Schwartz; Blue Heart, Caryl Churchill.

Showcase Consultant, Fall 2010/Spring 2010

Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus

• Guide the graduating Seniors through the process of selecting appropriate showcase material and then coach, direct and stage the final presentation.

Publications:

• In Performance: Monologues for Men and Women (late teens – 20s)

APPLAUSE Books, published 2013

A practical book focusing on how to choose, rehearse and perform an appropriate monologue. Following the extensive introduction is a selection of pieces from major contemporary works that include a plot summary, a character description, the given circumstances leading up to the monologue, and a list of questions the actor should ask when rehearsing.

• In Performance: Contemporary Monologues for Men and Women (late 20s – 30s)

APPLAUSE Books, published 2014

Same format as above.

In Performance: Contemporary Monologues for Men and Women (Teens)

In Performance: Contemporary Monologues for Men and Women (40s)

APPLAUSE Books, in process. Expected publication Oct. 2015

Professional Experience:

Artistic Director, January 2015 - Present

Apothecary Theatre Company

• Artistic leader of a small, up and coming Brooklyn-based theatre company dedicated to the development and production of new plays as well as the re-examination of previously produced plays. Our work is focused on intimacy and immediacy.

•

Casting Director, January 2005 – December 2013

Romeo & Juliet

• Cast a twenty-some member ensemble for a Broadway revival of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet for the 2013-14 Broadway season, directed by David Leveaux and starring Orlando Bloom.

Grease the Musical

• Responsible for casting star performers in the Broadway revival and National Touring companies from 2007 – 2010. As well as a projected upcoming revival: Spring 2016.

Cyrano de Bergerac, Broadway Revival: Fall 2007

• Starring Kevin Kline, Jennifer Garner and Daniel Sunjata. Responsible for casting all actors (on stage and off) for the first major Broadway revival of the Edmund Rostand classic in twenty years. Actors required to prepare text from the play as well as Shakespearean monologue to prove they could handle the language demands of the script. Kevin Kline and David Leveaux, the director, attended all auditions and callbacks.

Acting/Audition Coach, Spring 2003 – Present

• Coach private students for regional, off-Broadway, and Broadway auditions and performances, as well as television and film.

• Clients include: Orlando Bloom in preparation for the upcoming Broadway production of Romeo & Juliet and Constantine Mauralis for the upcoming National Tour and Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde.

Acting Coach, September 2009

The Beautiful Life: TBL

• Full-time, on-set acting coaching for all cast members of the CW hour-long drama. Implemented Stanislavsky, Meisner, Adler and Chekhov techniques to quickly help the young actors find the tension and drama in a scene before filming.

Casting Associate, April 1997 – Present

Roundabout Theatre Company; New York, New York

• Worked closely with casting director and director to cast productions for Broadway, off Broadway, West End, workshops and readings. Daily communication with agents, managers, producers and actors. Productions included: Jerusalem, The Children’s Hour, Arcadia, The Woman in White, The Threepenny Opera, Therese Raquin, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, A View From The Bridge.

Producing Associate, January 2004 – September 2009

Nederlander Productions; New York, New York

• Responsibilities include the maintaining of an extensive script library, evaluating script submissions, daily contact with general managers, company managers, actors and agents. Work closely on developing budgets for upcoming Broadway productions as well as touring shows. Star casting for multiple shows. Attending readings and workshops and offering feedback on material.

• On Cyrano de Bergerac responsibilities included cutting and editing the script to a cohesive two and half hour running time, obtaining rehearsal space, acquiring props and other show products from overseas, planning cast parties for the first performance and opening night as well as consistently offering feedback on the process to the creative team.

• Other shows include the Broadway revivals of La Cage Aux Folles, Fiddler on the Roof and Grease.

• Develop, produce and cast material for upcoming Broadway productions.

Casting Associate, Summer 1999, 2000

Williamstown Theatre Festival: New York, New York/Williamstown, MA

• Associate to Casting Director Amy Christopher. Cast a number of plays, new and revivals, for both the Nikos Stage and the Main Stage of WTF. Projects included: Quark Victory, The Price, Glimmer Brothers, Camino Real, and A Raisin in the Sun among others.

Evaluator, Summer 2005 - Present

Fred Ebb Awards; New York, NY

• Part of a small, select panel that listens to all the initial applications for the Fred Ebb Musical Theatre Awards for Achievement in Lyric Writing. From the initial 200+ applications we narrow the field down to approximately six or so that we believe suggest the highest potential. These finalists then go on to be evaluated by another group of theatre professionals.

Directing Experience:

Knock Knock (reading with Harvey Fierstein/Jim Parsons) Nederlander Prod. 2014

Songbird (Lauren Pritchard/Michael Kimmel) Joe’s Pub, 2014

A Work of Pure Fiction (Edith Freni) University of Miami, ‘13

Girls vs. Boys Adrienne Arscht Center, ‘12

Odile’s Ordeal (Lucas Hnath, world premiere) University of Miami, ‘12

Jailbait University of Miami, ‘12

The Truth About Christmas Sam French Festival. 2011

T.S. Eliot: The Musical Producer’s Club, 2010

Black Eyed Angels Fordham University, 2010

Shelf Life NYC Fringe Festival 2009

Dark Play or Stories for Boys Amphibian Productions, TX

An Evening of Tennessee Williams One-Acts DiverCity Theater Company

Icarus Amphibian Productions, TX

Matt and Ben Amphibian Productions

The Talented Mr. Ripley (staged reading) Dodger Stages, NY

Merrily We Roll Along The Gallery Players, NY

The True History of the Tragic Life Greenwich Street Th., NY

and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana

Full Bloom New Harmony Theatre Proj.

Resident Director:

Romeo & Juliet David Leveaux Broadway

Peter Pan 360 Ben Harrison 360 Entertainment

Cabaret Sam Mendes/Rob Marshall National Tour

Associate/Assistant Director:

A Behanding in Spokane John Crowley Broadway

Joe Egg Laurence Boswell Roundabout Theatre Co.

Chicago Walter Bobbie National Tour

Rain Dance Guy Sanville Signature Theater

Little Me Rob Marshall Roundabout Theatre Co.

Bosoms and Neglect Nicholas Martin Signature Theater

You Never Can Tell Nicholas Martin Roundabout Theatre Co.

Mason Gross School of the Arts:

Therese Raquin Neal Bell

As Bees In Honey Drown Douglas Carter Beane

Other People Christopher Shinn

Hello Out There William Saroyan

Talk To Me Like the Rain… Tennessee Williams

Victoria Station Harold Pinter

Professional Affiliations:

Nederlander Productions Roundabout Theatre Company

Williamstown Theatre Festival New Harmony Theatre Project

Lincoln Center Theater’s Directors Lab Amphibian Productions: Fort Worth, TX

Fordham University University of Miami

References:

Jim Carnahan

Casting Director

Roundabout Theater Company

239 W. 39th Streer

New York, NY 10036

(212) 719-1073

jcarnahan@

Edith Freni

Lecturer: Playwriting and Analysis

University of Miami

1231 Dickinson Drive

Coral Gables, FL 33146

(917) 306-6581

edith@

David Leveaux

Director

leveaux@

Susan Bristow

Romeo & Juliet/Cyrano de Bergerac

Producer, Susan Bristow Productions

260 W. 44th Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10036

(212) 302-8680

sbristow@

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