Spotlight on Mitch Marois '10
Source/Author: Lily Schneider '19 and Stacy Alexander, Director of Alumni and Community Engagement
August 16, 2019
Mitch Marois ‘10 says that the thing he loves most about the theatre is being able to “tell stories that haven’t been told, but need to.”
For some, the stage is home. Marois began his acting career at a very young age. In fact, his first job was as an actor in "Crossing the Bay" with Bill Leavengood ‘78, Lee Ahlin, and Cheryl Lee when he was in Middle School. After performing at that level, and throughout Upper School at Shorecrest, he didn’t stop.
During his college career at Carnegie Mellon University, Marois spent his summer working at the freeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg. Immediately following graduation, he worked for Pittsburgh CLO and Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C. After a few other acting gigs, Marois transitioned to producing. He founded a non-profit theater in Vermont, while also working at a summer stock in New Hampshire, an off-Broadway company, and working for a commercial Broadway producer.
As a producer, Marois does a little bit of everything. From helping write the piece, to hiring directors and designers, to negotiating salaries, to creating contracts, to convincing other producers to invest in the show, to marketing and advertising, etc. It’s easy to say that he keeps busy. His ultimate goal as a producer is to do everything possible to set the show up for success.
Speaking of success, Marois never fails to credit his time at Shorecrest which set him for the success he finds today. He took part in Performing Arts at Shorecrest, and he credits the program for giving him the best foundation for a career in the arts. The theatre faculty, participants, and opportunities taught him not only how to perform, but also how to direct, choreograph, teach and survive in the theatre business.
As Marois, the Outstanding Senior in the Class of 2010, prepares to speak to the Class of 2020 at their Commencement this May, he shares some advice beforehand: “At the end of the day, being a good person and a good friend matters more than any test scores or acceptance letters you get. Give 100% of yourself not only to your work, but also to your relationships.”
Mitch with the Class of 2020, when they were in second grade. |