Michael
McNamara

Director, Actor, Improviser

About Me

I am a graduate student and artist with several years of professional and academic experience in directing, acting, and improvisation. At the core of my approach to dramatic storytelling is my commitment to collaboration and care. Every rehearsal and performance is a chance to practice the values we believe in and tell stories in a responsible way. Above all, I hope to positively contribute to the communities I call home through my work as a theatre artist.

Recent Projects

MAY 2024

This month caps off my stint at the Macomb Arts Center, where I had the privilege of teaching a six week Improv class for beginning improvisers. Thank you to Nan Crossman for the support and thank you to all the wonderful students I got to work with!

APRIL 2024

Thank you to the Comparative Drama Conference for the opportunity to present this year! It was such a joy to share my paper "Re-Imagining Rehearsals: An Improv-Based Approach for Caring Directors" with fellow academics and practitioners.

DECEMBER 2023

Check out my recent directing project! Variations on a Theme, a fully improvised long-form show created by David Charles, performed at Western Illinois University. Show begins at 27:38.

Michael McNamara Rollins College as a part of the Honors Program/Theatre Re-Imagining Rehearsals: Improv Principles and Practices to Help Directors... | By The Improv Boost | FacebookMichael McNamara Rollins College as a part of the Honors Program/Theatre Re-Imagining Rehearsals: Improv Principles and Practices to Help Directors...

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SEPTEMBER 2023

Thank you to the Robin Hood International Improv Festival for letting me speak virtually this year about my theatre research! I am grateful for any chance to talk about directing, improv, and ethical caring.

AUGUST 2022

Thank you again to the cast and crew of A House Call, written by Joe Kolasa! Missed the show? No worries, you can watch the whole performance here: