(Reader be warned…here’s where we climb on our soapbox and deliver a stirring “Art changes lives!” oration…)
Between the two of us (we’re Mitchell and Joanna, by the way), we have, well, let’s just say “more than a few” miles of theater road behind us. We’ve served in vastly different capacities and we’ve each had the privilege of working with a wonderfully diverse group of thespians, most of them volunteers.
And, after decades of experiencing the deeply personal impact of theater, we were driven to provide a space to cultivate creation.
Stage Black began as a passion project.
Why? Oh, we’re so glad you asked.
Here’s the thing about theater–it’s about so much more than applause. It’s about opportunities for empowerment. It unveils passions and talents. It inspires us to develop bonds while embracing the qualities that make us individuals.
It’s not just for actors, either. We’ve had the privilege of seeing passions develop for construction, textiles, graphic design, team management, and sound/lighting design. Science for special effects, history for research, no subject is safe from theatrical exploration, no “special skill” too obscure.
Great theater encourages discovery and exploration so that when we push the boundaries of what is obvious, we reveal what is extraordinary.
And that’s what we hope to showcase with every Stage Black production: Creators who dig deeper and discover their capacity for excellence through exceptional performance experiences.
Joanna Mechaley
Artistic Director Joanna Mechaley has been bringing stories to life for over three decades. She has thrown herself into everything from comedic roles (Neil Simon’s I Ought to be in Pictures) to musicals (dressy Tessie Tura in Gypsy) to the doomed-to-be-murdered Girl in Ira Levin’s twisted thriller Veronica’s Room. Through her experiences, though,she discovered that her greatest love is bringing the magic of theater to life behind the scenes.
Her directorial resumé includes One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Steel Magnolias, Through the Looking Glass, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and others. She has honed her artistic skills through scenic design, costume design, and script writing, and served in both board and staff capacities at the Matthews Opera House and Arts Center in Spearfish, SD (2017-2024).
Mitchell Mechaley
Director of Operations Mitchell Mechaley discovered theater in 2000 when he landed a role as Selsdon Mowbray in a community theater production of Noises Off.
Since that time, he has performed in a variety of shows including Much Ado About Nothing, On Golden Pond, The Nerd, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. While much of his joy comes from onstage performance, he has also spread his wings by providing live music for performances and directing stage combat.