ACTOR

"That villainess is also a masterful presentation as Ashley Marinaccio connives without compunction only to fall into the madness provoked by the unraveling of her plot." 

- Backstage Blog (2012)

 

"Ashley Marinaccio plays Charlotte like a primal scream: Her puerile affection for her Snoopy doll, Freudian-slip diction and the thing with the pickles are uninhibited and frantic.These hysterically raucous therapy session roll along at high speeds on the diverse talents of a comically gifted cast."

-Glen Rock Patch (2011)

WRITER

"As a writer, Marinaccio is reminiscent of Tony Kushner in that she wants to use theater to make a political point, but without sacrificing an ounce of entertainment value. She is definitely a writer to keep an eye on."

- Show Business Weekly (2010)

"Decadent Acts is a visceral reminder that the marginalization still goes on in much of the country today..."

- Backstage (2010) 

DIRECTOR

"Gritty and honest, GirlPower is sure to encourage post performance discussion among audience members of all ages and genders." 

- Time Out NY (2010)

 

"Each of the 40 pieces listed in the program flows seamlessly into the next, creating a well-paced performance (GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest)."

- Show Business Weekly (2010)

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

I am a storyteller who uses the art of theatre to explore the human condition.  In 2006 I was living in Beirut, Lebanon when the country went to war. Living under fire has affected both my personal life and creative life immensely, prompting me to use theatre as means to explore complex questions around violence, war and peace building. I am a founder and Artistic Director of Co-Op Theatre East (www.cooptheatreeast.org) and Project Girl Performance Collective (www.projectgirlperformancecollective.org), two New York City based progressive theatres actively involved in creating social change. My work with both companies and as a freelance director, playwright and performer has received critical acclaim for its innovative and intellectually ambitious yet accessible storytelling and generous exchange between performer and spectator. 


My involvement in feminist, queer and peace activism has led me to question how information, personal agency and awareness of my own community’s struggles are being transmitted to the broader society which may not be as familiar with these issues. Theatre is a starting point for new dialogue. By creating theatre that challenges the status quo, we ask evocative, challenging questions of audiences and ourselves and can finally begin to break down historical confines, go beyond our comfort zones, listen to our each other and think globally.

 

CO-OP THEATRE EAST

Co-Op Theatre East believes in the power of art to foster a dialogue for social change. We provide an entertaining performance forum in which to ask evocative, challenging questions of artists and audiences on our way to creating collaborative answers.

 

Find out more about Co-Op Theatre East here .

PROJECT GIRL PERFORMANCE COLLECTIVE

The Project Girl Performance Collective empowers young women by creating a safe space to address contemporary social, political and cultural issues through the performing arts and written word. PGPC is committed to the idea of theatre and performance as a medium for awareness, action and social change.


For more information on the Project Girl Performance Collective, click here.