JV Mercanti Interview

Guest Author: JV Mercanti, author of In Performance: Contemporary Monologues for Men and Women Late Teens-20s, interviews with The Playbill Collector.

The Playbill Collector (TPC): What did you go to school for?

JV Mercanti (JVM): I went to undergrad at NYU and I double concentrated in english lit and educational theater.  My senior year I worked in a casting office at Roundabout Theatre company and that opened doors for me.

TPC: Did you ever act?

JVM: I acted until my senior year at NYU.  At that point I came to somewhat of a crossroad and chose to start directing.  Currently I am freelance directing and am heading to the University of Miami in January to direct FLOYD COLLINS.

TPC: What gave you the idea for the book “In Performance”?

JVM: It fell into my lap.  My colleague at the University of Miami, Bruce Miller asked if I wanted to do it.  The book is monologues for teens to people in their 20’s.  They are all contemporary pieces.   After talking to the editors, I told them I wanted character description, questions and play synopsis  along side the monologues.  That way the actor can know about the show and build their character.

To finish the interview, go to The Playbill Collector.com!

In Performance is intended for young people who are auditioning for both undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional productions and industry meetings. Featured are dynamic monologues from contemporary stage plays of the past 15 years, chosen from the point of view of a professional acting teacher, director, and casting director.

Along with covering the basics of how to match the best monologue to the actor and how to approach the rehearsal and performance of the piece, the book provides a synopsis of each play, a character description, and a list of questions specific to each monologue that will direct the actor toward shaping a complex, honest, and thoughtful performance that has a strong emotional connection, a clear arc, and playable actions.