WILTON, N.H.: Andy’s Summer Playhouse, a children’s theatre company, has named Jared Mezzocchi to be its producing artistic director.
“We are so thrilled that after talking with many talented candidates from across New England and the Northeast, we found that the best choice for Andy’s was someone who knows us well and loves New Hampshire,” said board president Linda Tanner in a statement. “Jared marries his N.H. roots and Andy’s experience with his years of building a theatre career in New York and D.C., and will bring a fresh perspective to Andy’s while staying true to the values and unique nature of the Andy’s experience.”
Mezzocchi grew up in Hollis, N.H. and has been a regular artist at Andy’s since 2009, in which time he’s directed such original productions as The Lost World, The BFG, and The Block. He received his MFA in Performance and Interactive Media Arts at Brooklyn College. Currently, he is on faculty at University of Maryland, College Park, where he leads the projection design track in the MFA Design program. Mezzocchi is also a resident artist at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in D.C. He was the projection designer to be honored with the prestigious Princess Grace Award. He has directed and/or designed at theatres across the U.S. and in Europe including Big Art Group, The Builders Association, 3Legged Dog, Arena Stage, Studio Theater, Theater J, Center Stage, Olney Theatre Center, Everyman Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and Wilma Theater.
“Andy’s has meant so much to so many children and families for 45 years, I am honored to be at the helm of this prolific ship,” said Mezzocchi in a statement. “My vision for Andy’s is one of exploration, engagement, and exposure. I believe the Playhouse holds such a poignant sense of spirit with the children, and I trust, at its core, Andy’s can and will reignite conversations around the vitality of new, multimedia, ensemble-based children’s work. Andy’s Playhouse provides a home and outlet for children as well as the professional artists, which is a rare blend of theatremaking that I am thrilled to help facilitate for these future generations of thinkers and doers.”
