I am a director who understands how to harness the power of dramatic text by mining it for ripe theatricality and resonance. Starting with the text or a structure of devised moments, and thanks to the collaborative work with the playwright, actors, dramaturgs, and designers my goal is to use the theater as a place for debate, spectacle, and introspection. Those three tenants guide my curiosity and intuition while making theatre. I believe in choosing directing projects which feel as though they add to the public discourse, illuminate debate, provide fresh perspectives, and stretch the possibilities of the theatrical form.
Photo from SUNY Oswego Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet.
Photo from SUNY Oswego Theatre’s Elsewhere.
Steve is a freelance director, audition coach and teaching artist.
TESTIMONIAL- "In my vast experience of having plays produced in festivals, Steve is by far the best director I've worked with. The production was hugely successful in large part because of Steve's graceful and highly capable directorial skills and compassion for the material. His level of enthusiasm and expertise is of someone way beyond his years." - Playwright Aaron Leventman of Samuel French Play Festival Finalist and LIC One Act Finalist Blanche in a Wheelchair directed by Steve Mazzoccone
TESTIMONIAL- "Steve helped me work on my audition monologues for a graduate program I had applied for. He was extremely helpful! I love how he dives into the text, questions the actor about the actions, and how to find engaging ways to play them. He is truly an amazing director and helped me get into the graduate program of my dreams. I highly recommend him!" - Emily Coleman, Graduate Actor, CSU Long Beach.
TESTIMONIAL - “If you want to take your craft to the next level (and book gigs!) Steve is one of the best coaches to get. His uncanny ability to deconstruct texts, lead constructive exercises, and get actors out of their damn heads puts them in the best possible position to convey truth. He guides you to a place of clarity and honesty with every scene or piece you work on. Whenever I have a major audition, or am struggling with a scene I book a session with Steve.”
- Actor, Walker Snow Harrison