Maxwell Friedman – Director
Max strives to create inclusive, interdisciplinary, visceral theatre that questions the human condition and catalyzes diverse community conversations.
A Houston, Texas native at heart, Max called the Midwest his home for four years while completing his degree in Directing from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. In the summer of 2017, Max packed his bags and made the big move to NYC to chase his dreams of directing theatre.
Professionally, Max has worked at Manhattan Theatre Club, New York City Center, The Public Theater, Great River Shakespeare Festival, and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, among others.
Aside from the theatre, Max loves visual art, politics, music festivals, and traveling. He is the youngest of three siblings and treasures his family to the upmost degree.
During the day, Max has the honor of serving as the Assistant to the Production Executives, Ruth Sternberg and Jonathan Pellow, at the Public Theater.
Selected Directing Credits
Off-Top Presents* // by Adi Eshman // Fridays on Ice – New Ohio Theatre
The Drowsy Chaperone // by Martin, McKellar // DeBaun Performing Arts Center
Bigger? Sugar? Figure? // by Adi Eshman // Off-Top – The Tank
Hair // by Rado, Ragni, MacDermot // Westchester Sandbox Theatre
Alien at the Airport* // by Sharece Sellem // Dirty Blondes – Kraine Theatre
Rooftop Trilogy* // by Marlene Fanta Shyer // Gallery Players
NBA Store Boyfriend* // by Catherine Weingarten // Super Short Sit Specific Festival
Rhinoceros // by Eugene Ionesco // Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University
Things (un)Said* // by Jen Sinnen // Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University
Honeysuckle Epidemic* // by Jake Kevrick // Envisage Theatre Festival
The Trojan Women // by Ellen Mc Laughlin // Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University
Generation Z* // conceived by Maxwell Friedman // Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University
Selected Assistant Directing Credits
Julius Caesar // dir. Joanna Battles // Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Disgraced // dir. Seth Gordon // Repertory Theatre St. Louis
Angel Street // dir. Jenn Thompson // Repertory Theatre St. Louis
King John // dir. Rick Barbour // Great River Shakespeare Festival
The Glass Menagerie // dir. Paul Mason Barnes // Great River Shakespeare Festival
Stage Door // dir. Alec Wild // Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University
Big Love // dir. Jef Awada // Havana Theatre Festival
Education
BA Directing
Conservatory of Theatre Arts
at Webster University
Magna Cum Laude // Departmental Honors // Semester Abroad - Vienna, Austria
Training and Affiliations
Manhattan Theatre Club // (NYC) // Directing Fellow
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society // (NYC) // SDC Observer
Frantic Assembly, The Drama League // (NYC) // Devising Intensive
Teatro Buendia // (CUBA) // Adaptation Intensive
Internships
Manhattan Theatre Club // (NYC) // Artistic Intern // Steve Kaus, Nicki Hunter
Encores! Off-Center // (NYC) // Artistic Intern // Michael Friedman
Director's Lab Chicago // (CHI) // Lab Intern and Participant // Billy Bullion
Shakespeare in the Park // (STL) // General Production Intern // Julie Ann Arbiter
Great River Shakespeare Festival // (MN) // Directing Intern // Paul Mason Barnes
Related Experience
Public Theatre // (NYC) 2018-present // Assistant to the Production Executive // Ruth Sternberg
Public Theatre Mobile Unit // (NYC) YEAR // Tour Assistant // Henry V
BRIEFS LGBT Play Festival // (NYC) YEAR // Playwright // The Grind
Repertory Theatre St. Louis // (STL) YEAR // Dramaturg // Disgraced