Why Theatre is Important
Make it Sparkle Video with Maria McConville
Director and Playwright
4:45 (runtime)
Director’s Notes
Join Director and Playwright Maria McConville in the video, 'Why Theatre is Important,' as she unravels the unique essence of live performances. Maria delves into the irreplaceable magic of theater, emphasizing its transient nature and the unrepeatable moments that distinguish it from TV and film.
Maria underscores the ephemeral quality of theater, highlighting that each performance exists only in a specific moment, making it a distinct and unrepeatable experience.
The video explores the chemistry experiment between the audience and performers, emphasizing the communal breath shared at the beginning and end of a play, fostering a unique connection.
Maria expresses her love for the theater-making process, stressing the importance of making mistakes, sorting through wrong choices, and the collaborative excitement during the initial table read.
The video sheds light on the chaotic yet exhilarating experience of a ten-out-of-twelve rehearsal, where the intense hours contribute to camaraderie and shared passion within the theater community.
Maria's narrative underscores the profound beauty of theater, not just in its final moments on stage but in the entire process, from the first read to the last applause—creating a rich and communal experience for everyone involved.
About Maria McConville
Maria McConville is an actor, teaching artist, and playwright. Now a resident of Connecticut, she was a NYC Public School teaching artist since 2005. She has worked with the Theatre Development Fund, LeAP! Onstage, Periwinkle Theater for Youth, and a Shakespeare and Playwriting teaching artist with Theatre For A New Audience. Maria has worked with 2nd grade through 12th grade, though, she has a special place in her heart for 6th-8th graders. Her students have performed and adapted the work of Shakespeare, written their own plays, devised ensemble performance pieces, sang and danced in musical productions, and performed their peers work on a Broadway stage. Growing up in New York, Maria attended LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts for Drama, and recently adjudicated the auditions for incoming students. Maria has performed with/at NYTW, EST, CSC, Woodshed Collective, SoHo Rep, HERE Arts Center, undergroundzerofestival, The Kirk @Theater Row, Fordham Alumni Company, 78th Street Theater Lab, aMios, BAX, and Shakespeare in the Park-ing Lot. Her published plays include To Date or Not to Date (Playscripts), #VIRAL and #Censored (Stage Partners).