The Writers in Performance workshop is designed to give writers the opportunity to explore performing their written pieces. Whether they are playwrights, poets, monologists, writers of prose, or a spoken word artist, this workshop gives the writers an opportunity to create a performance piece out of their writings.   Workshop participants are chosen on the strength of their writing plus either performance ability, or willingness to explore that aspect of creativity. The workshop mixes professionals with students. Mario Giacalone – Director – Professional actor, director and teacher, Mario Giacalone, is the Facilitator and Director of the Writers in Performance program. Giacalone has taught acting in New York City for over ten years and has directed both stage and film.  Director – Mario Giacalone.  Assistant Director- Rashmi Singh.

Congratulations to the new cast: Paige Cavanaugh, Christian Cordova AKA “Dova”, Mark Dimor, Stratos Eleftheriou, Stuart Green, Rhonda Hansome, James Johnson AKA “Jupiter Jewlez”, Brett Morachnick, Lilith Ralph, Stephanie Rupe, Clare Tascio, and Victor Vauban Jr. (BMCC Student).

Mario Giacalone  (Director) has been a singer, actor, director, songwriter, and musician since the early 70’s.  Mr. Giacalone has recorded as  as a solo artist, with The Human Condition,  Inner Gypsy, Regina Palin, and Bill Horowitz.   He is a founding member of The Communications Workshop, and has been a member of  The Human Condition, Floating,  Mario Brothers, Giacalone and Sard, and Mario & Amy.  Today Mr. Giacalone continues to perform, and record, with The Mario Giacalone Trio. As an actor he has had lead roles in the film I Was On Mars, and featured in Mother Tongue, The Giraffe, amongst others.  Mr. Giacalone was artistic director of The Creative Acting Company, and Mass Transit STreet Theater, as well as founding member of The Root Theater Collective, and Actors, Writers, and Directors Collective.  He has directed the Writers in Performance series for over 12 years at Tribeca Performing Arts Center.  Mario Giacalone’s music has been featured in the Theater Productions of Neighbors, Comping Attractions, and The Music in Me.  His music has appeared in the videos, Crack is the Wack, 5 out of 5, The Ballad of Nikki Teen, and in the film 30 Nights of Sex to Save a Marriage.  Mario Giacalone is proud to both perform and create music for Treehouse Shakers, a theater for young audiences company, based in New York City, in operation for over 25 years.