priest. | playwright. | performer.
Theatre excites.
Theatre examines.
Theatre expresses.
I define theatre as an embodied response to the sociopolitical and sociocultural times and places we find ourselves at any given moment. This theatrical reverberation ignites reflection, scrutinizes our consciousness, and rattles perspectives to instigate transformative change. As the playwright Lynn Nottage says about theatre: “We are fabulators…we are cultural watchdogs.”
artist purpose.
Using theatre, I aim to generate awareness about the fundamental responsibility of our humanity as coheirs of a global community working towards a just society.
artist mission.
I pursue opportunities to develop theatrical performances through the uses of interviews, narrative, and identity to amplify stories of the oppressed, marginalized, and forgotten/unknown.
artist vision.
I am a theatre maker and activist-artist. My playmaking advocates human rights and elevates human dignity, encourages discernment and activates coaction by uncovering the intersectionality of histories and identities in concert with the human experience.
current playwriting projects.
Plays in progress and plays unproduced.
Have a look at what is being developed and what is waiting in the queue. Works in progress take on many forms, and this photo is from a devised theatre piece called American Privilege, which had its premiere with Detroit Mercy Theatre Company.
past projects.
Recording the podcast ALONG THE WAY with Br. Matt Wooters, SJ -- a two season pod series during Lent and Advent, breaking open prayer and making it accessible.
With Detroit Mercy Theatre Company I adapted, reimagined, and directed William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM focusing on gender and sexuality. (Photo by Alan Devlin)
In rehearsals for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM with Detroit Mercy Theatre Company. (Photo courtesy of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company)
Rehearsing IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS LOVE: A VIGNETTE CYCLE. A collaborative performance project I compiled, wrote, and directed for Jesuits West about equity and inclusion.
Dress rehearsal for AMERICAN PRIVILEGE a devised theatre project I complied, wrote, and directed with Detroit Mercy Theatre Company. (Photo by Evans Tasiopoulos)
Directing AMERICAN PRIVILEGE a devised theatre production about race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, and hope with Detroit Mercy Theatre Company. (Photo by Alan Devlin)
A first rehearsal table read of IT HAPPENS TO US a performance I adapted and directed about sexual assault on college campuses and performed by Detroit Mercy Theatre Company. (Photo by Dalton Hahn)
Serving as a teaching artist for the MORAL MAN MONOLOGUES as part of Loyola High School's (Detroit, Mich.) junior theology curriculum. (Photo by Adam DeLeon, SJ)
A performance of WHISPERS FROM THE STREETS a devised theatre performance I co-wrote with Kansas City playwright, Jeremy Lillig, adapted, directed, and performed in collaboration with Creighton University's Schlegel Center for Service and Justice and Omaha's Siena/Francis House about homelessness and dignity of the human person. (Photo courtesy of Creighton University)
past publications.
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Detroit Mercy Theatre Company's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." February 2020, Theatre Reviews.
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“Discovering Discernment.” Human Development, 2019, pp. 110–117.
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“Why Playing Matters: Theatre, Life and Integrating Balance.” Human Development, 2018, pp. 54-63.
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“Creating Brave Spaces.” Jesuits: USA/Midwest Province, 2017, p. 17.
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"USM’s Spirit of Justice Inspires Theatre Alum to Give Voice to the Voiceless." Aspire, 2009, pp. 8-9.
web and podcasts.
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Along the Way (LENT Podcast 2021)
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Along the Way (Advent Podcast 2020)
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One-Minute Homily (The Jesuit Post)
a little about me.
I’m a Jesuit priest of the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus and I’ve worked in the field of theatre for over three decades, concentrating on amplifying oppressed, marginalized, and forgotten/unknown stories and voices. I have served as producing artistic director of Full Circle Theatre Company (Kansas City, MO), artist in residence at The Fishtank Performance Studio (Kansas City, MO), and outreach and audience development coordinator for Detroit Mercy Theatre Company at the University of Detroit Mercy. I hold a Masters of Divinity from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Masters in Social Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, where much of my theatre education, development, and career took place, I’ve had the privilege of making theatre in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, and Lima, Peru. I’m a pastor, spiritual director, member of The Dramatists Guild of America, contributing writer to The Jesuit Post, and a founding member of the Jesuit Antiracism Sodality.
What does the S.J. mean? The S.J. stands for the Society of Jesus —or the Jesuits for short — an apostolic religious order of Catholic priests and brothers grounded in love and gratitude for Christ; animated by the spiritual vision of our founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola, to help others seek God in all aspects of life; and committed to the service of faith and the promotion of justice. The S.J. reminds me of whose I am, why I am, and where I am going; it is an identity and a mission.