About
Practicing filmmaker, dramaturgically-informed creative partner, and advocate for sustainable creative careers.
Based in New York City, working with writers and filmmakers to bring their stories to life.
Who I Am
I'm a New York City Based Artist and Creative Partner. I've been working in theater and film for over a decade, whilst juggling strange and wonderful jobs like: Ironworker, Technology Consultant, and Teacher. As a kid growing up in Mercer County, NJ -- New York felt like a castle across a shining sea. Going there was one thing, but living there? That was for other people. I've been chasing new work development since the moment I first stepped on stage (which happened to be a high school improv show at my local Barnes & Nobles. Which, I'm told, is the sign of a very cool person). Since then, I've been obsessed with the process of making new plays, films, businesses--anything creative. As a young actor in New York, I often found myself in devising rooms or premiere productions and readings. Beyond my work at Fordham University, I was lucky enough to work at places like the Hangar Theatre, The Drama League, Symphony Space, Ars Nova, and many--many staged readings at the "Usual Spots." I developed a reputation for strong actionable feedback. This led me to start writing my own work, and eventually, diving deep into the facilitation of other writers' work. Whether it was mounting a reading, dramaturging a new play, or producing a short with no budget except scrappy resourcefulness--new work became the center of my artistic practice. I was an education apprentice at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where I dramaturged "The Brothers Size" by Tarell Alvin McCraney, and facilitated workshops for students and teachers alike. I also was a teaching artist at The 52nd Street Project, where I taught writing and acting classes to students in the hells kitchen community. After then, I began my work as lead dramaturg and co-founder of The New Jersey Play Lab's Film Branch. I've taught brand new playwrights, facilitated two 18-month writers residencies, conducted private script consults, produced multiple staged readings, and recently launched the film branch of the Play Lab. I also have my own production company called Matchbox Media, where I've produced multiple short films, corporate content, events, and more.
Where I Learned This Approach
I trained in dramaturgy with the New Jersey Play Lab, where I learned a rigorous, hands-on methodology focused on three principles: clarifying the writer's intentions, aligning every structural choice to serve those intentions, and delivering actionable feedback that writers can immediately implement.
But I've adapted that foundation to fit my own style and the realities of film/screen work:
- • I speak in plain language, not academic jargon
- • I prioritize production awareness (budget, logistics, festival strategy)
- • I work collaboratively, not prescriptively—this is your vision, I'm the sherpa
- • I blend dramaturgical rigor with practical filmmaking experience
The result: notes that are both craft-sound AND achievable in the real world.
My Credentials
- • Festival Finalist and Winner across categories (Recently, finalist for "Aftercare" at the Nantucket Film Festival -- Oscar-Qualifying)
- • Produced International Playwright and Screenwriter (Beowulf: Her Story, The Garden Will Not Crumble, and Multiple Short Web-Based Films)
- • Lead Dramaturg and Co-Founder of The New Jersey Play Lab's Film Branch
Why I Do This Work
When I graduated from college in 2019, I had no idea that the theatrical world I believed I would step into would radically disintigrate 9 months later when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Institutions I assumed were permanent shuttered their doors (I'm still mourning The Lark). And a new expectation was thrust onto artists:
If you want to break in you must reate your own work. With less resources, more competition, and no support.
I watched people who should've been at the top of their field struggle not only to find work, but to even get meaningful opportunities to show their work.
During this time, I had taken a job as an Ironworker in New York City. I was working long hours, 6 days a week, and cramming writing time in between.
It was perhaps the most isolated I've ever felt as an artist. But it was also my most productive. And my most inspired.
My (now wife) asked me to write a feature for her and her grad school classmates to shoot. They had a culmination project and since COVID-19 was making theater impossible, they decided to do a film instead.
I did, and we created a Sci-Fi film called "The Garden Will Not Crumble" about a post-apocalyptic world where Artificial Lifeforms have taken over the Planet, only--they don't know they're artificial.
This radical act of belief in me was the catalyst for me to realize that if I could support anyone else and their journey, it was the best way I could spend my time.
Since then, I've run writers residencies, taught classes, facilitated workshops, produced films, started my own company, and now I'm here to help you create your own work.
Beyond the Work
-Reading fantasy and sci-fi novels (Currently making my way through Leigh Bardugo's wonderful series)
-Watching movies and TV shows (My wife and I are voracious watchers, but we also talk about writing and structure the entire time, so we're aware we're annoying to watch with)
-Table-Top Roleplaying Games like Dungeons & Dragons
-Ice Hockey (Go Rangers!)
-Learning new skills (I have an instatiable need to be the best or surprising. My latest is building my own website from scratch using Astro and TailwindCSS. See, you're on it now!)
Let's Connect
I'd love to hear about your project and explore how we can work together.
Get in Touch