The Actors With Disabilities Redefining Representation
New York Times "These performers are creating a new template for the artist-as-activist, challenging their industry — and their audiences — to reconsider what inclusion really means...Could it be that, at long last, that movement is starting to become real for actors with disabilities, as it did for African-Americans in 1970s-era entertainment, for gay people in the early aughts and for Asian-Americans in the last few years? If a successful cultural transformation can be defined as the moment when you can finally stop counting heads, the first sign of that may be when you realize that at least there are heads to count."
Emily Driver's Great Race Through Time & Space: La Jolla Playhouse
American Theatre Magazine "Mozgala and Brenner said the story was inspired by Bobbie Lea Bennett, a disabled transgender woman who drove from San Diego to Washington, D.C., in 1978 to demand that Medicaid pay for gender affirmation surgery. Emily Driver highlights stories like Bennett’s, and other events in the disability rights movement that led up to the signing of the ADA in 1990, including the Denver ADAPT bus protests."
The San Diego Union Tribune "A cherry-red Ford Mustang charges across continents and leaves decades in the dust in “Emily Driver’s Great Race Through Time and Space,” the latest La Jolla Playhouse POP Tour show for area schoolkids."
The San Diego Union Tribune "A cherry-red Ford Mustang charges across continents and leaves decades in the dust in “Emily Driver’s Great Race Through Time and Space,” the latest La Jolla Playhouse POP Tour show for area schoolkids."
BURY ME IN ARMOR: Short, Thriller
...Coming Soon...
PLAY ON SHAKESPEARE: Oregon Shakespeare Festival
New York Times "Four years ago, the news that the Oregon Shakespeare Festival had commissioned modern English “translations” of all of Shakespeare’s plays drew headlines, and no small alarm, from purists who saw it as a kind of literary vandalism. Now, the public will have a chance to judge the full fruits of the effort for itself."
American Theatre "Dr. Shakespeare, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Play On"
American Theatre "Dr. Shakespeare, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Play On"
TEENAGE DICK: The Public Theater
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New York Times "True, many of the actors have been memorably affecting, but never until this week has one convinced me that he knows what disability feels like from the inside...Which is to say: Mr. Mozgala shouldn’t just be playing young Richard; he should be playing the old man himself."
Forbes Magazine "For a long time he had been fascinated with Richard III. 'He is arguably the most famous disabled character in Western dramatic literature,' says the actor who recently won a Lucille Lortel Award award for his performance in the Pulitzer Prize winning play Cost of Living. 'So I thought we had to tackle that in our stable of plays.'” BroadwayWorld "One of the smartest aspects of the play, a real strength in both Lew's writing and Mozgala's fierce performance, is how even though the audience is in on Richard's plotting, he is also manipulating viewers who may not have much contact with disabled people and will automatically side with him. He's a master at using pity to his advantage." Playbill “When we talk about disability, or when we encounter people with disabilities, often able-bodied people are not sure what we’re allowed to ask—what’s appropriate, what’s not appropriate, what people feel comfortable with, what they don’t feel comfortable with. Ultimately, that’s a factor of each individual and their boundaries and limits. But this feels like a very open discussion and process, which I think is really exciting when that’s what the work is about.” |
LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE: NYTW
New York Times "Indeed, it is hard to imagine a more diverse group of performers — by age, race, stature and physical ability — than the six who cover the two dozen roles here. That would hardly matter if they were not all excellent, but they not only master Churchill’s dense representation of 17th-century English, they also find ways to undermine her alienation."
DC Theatre Scene "There are two ways in which the production’s departure from theatrical convention is welcome, and indeed long overdue. One is in the deep diversity of its sterling cast, which includes...Gregg Mozgala, who is a disabled activist and last year performed in the Pulitzer-winning 'Cost of Living.'"
New York Times (Feature) "Prepare To Be Provoked. Caryl Churchill Is Back."
The New Yorker (Feature) "Finding America's Present In England's Revolutionary Past"
Forbes Magazine (Feature) "Where Director Rachel Chavkin Gets Her Power"
DC Theatre Scene "There are two ways in which the production’s departure from theatrical convention is welcome, and indeed long overdue. One is in the deep diversity of its sterling cast, which includes...Gregg Mozgala, who is a disabled activist and last year performed in the Pulitzer-winning 'Cost of Living.'"
New York Times (Feature) "Prepare To Be Provoked. Caryl Churchill Is Back."
The New Yorker (Feature) "Finding America's Present In England's Revolutionary Past"
Forbes Magazine (Feature) "Where Director Rachel Chavkin Gets Her Power"
COST OF LIVING: Manhattan Theatre Club
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New York Times "...simply terrific...If you don’t find yourself in someone onstage in 'Cost of Living,' you’re not looking."
Playbill.com (Feature) "Why You Shouldn’t Call These Actors “Differently Abled” New York Post (Feature) "These Actors With Disabilities Are Wowing Theater Crowds" New York Times (Feature) "For Disabled Actors, Memorizing The Part Is Only The Beginning" NBC New York (Feature) "Cost Of Living Illuminates Disabled Experience |
UNICORNLAND: Original Webseries
Glamour Magazine "...The result is eight hilarious, poignant, sweet, and—yes—very sexy episodes that show how sleeping with people can be a powerful tool in self discovery...Either way, it’s a learning process, and a familiar one at that."
Logo Network "Unicornland is about as far from the stereotype of the “swinging” scene as you can get: The crew on the show was three-quarters female, and most of the cast was something other than cisgender, white dudes—including trans, genderqueer and disabled actors."
Rolling Stone "The idea of unicorning appealed to her as a narrative device because the evolution of her own sexuality felt like such an internal, mental process."
Logo Network "Unicornland is about as far from the stereotype of the “swinging” scene as you can get: The crew on the show was three-quarters female, and most of the cast was something other than cisgender, white dudes—including trans, genderqueer and disabled actors."
Rolling Stone "The idea of unicorning appealed to her as a narrative device because the evolution of her own sexuality felt like such an internal, mental process."
COST OF LIVING: Williamstown Theatre Festival
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "John, a Ph.D. candidate in political science, has cerebral palsy. So does Gregg Mozgala, who portrays him in this Williamstown Theater Festival production running through July 10...Their casting...is a visible sign of change when it comes to performers with disabilities, who rarely appear onstage, even as stories of disability offer rich and, yes, prize-generating material for actors."
The Berkshire Edge "Playing a very different sort of soul is Gregg Mozgala as John...He is clever and fun to watch...
New York Times "John, a Ph.D. candidate in political science, has cerebral palsy. So does Gregg Mozgala, who portrays him in this Williamstown Theater Festival production running through July 10...Their casting...is a visible sign of change when it comes to performers with disabilities, who rarely appear onstage, even as stories of disability offer rich and, yes, prize-generating material for actors."
The Berkshire Edge "Playing a very different sort of soul is Gregg Mozgala as John...He is clever and fun to watch...
RISE UP: Andra Day Music Video
HipHopDX "Andra Day...teams with 6th Sense director, M. Night Shyamalan on her enslaving ballad, 'Rise Up.' The visual is gripping. The statement is inspirational."
ENTER THE FAUN: Feature Documentary
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READ THE REVIEWS:
The Hollywood Reporter "A remarkable story...What's here suffices to stoke one's hope for new ways of treating those suffering from cerebral palsy." Dance Magazine "...sensual, virile, charming—and has cerebral palsy. In a way it’s a perfect metaphor for the faun never fitting in. The lead performer is the charismatic, distinctive Gregg Mozgala..." ArtsJournal.com "Wright often has the camera move close to the subjects, picking up on the intimacy with which choreography and therapy progress...And we see a lot. When Mozgala stands in profile, and Rogoff asks him quietly to “soften the ribs in front,” the small, but vital adjustment in his posture that this induces seems momentous." |
X-ID REP: New Museum
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READ THE REVIEWS:
Culturebot #1"While the term “intercultural cross-play” is not regular parlance in theater circles, the recent upset over the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Player’s proposed production of The Mikado highlights the need for a deeper investigation into its occurrences, as well as the larger questions it provokes around power, privilege, agency, and responsibility." Culturebot #2 "Now in week three of the New Museum’s multi-phased performance project, X-ID Rep is deep in the woods, not only testing the limits of ideas and exploring ethical and performative frameworks for cross-play in performance, but pressing up against possible boundaries and breakdown." |
JOHN, WHO'S HERE FROM CAMBRIDGE:
Ensemble Studio Theatre's 35th Marathon Of One-Act Plays
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "...An indelibly acted portrait of intimacy and entitlement that is the apex of Ensemble Studio Theater’s 35th Marathon of One-Act Plays: Series B..."
Times Square Chronicles "An absolute pleasure...Gregg Mozgala gives a stunning performance as John and Paola Lázaro-Muñoz steals your heart as his helper, Jess. Together, the pair forms a relationship that will warm and break your heart. Incredibly profound and wonderfully done."
Exeunt Magazine "Mozgala is excellent, and it is admirable that an actor who does have cerebral palsy is cast in the role."
New York Times "...An indelibly acted portrait of intimacy and entitlement that is the apex of Ensemble Studio Theater’s 35th Marathon of One-Act Plays: Series B..."
Times Square Chronicles "An absolute pleasure...Gregg Mozgala gives a stunning performance as John and Paola Lázaro-Muñoz steals your heart as his helper, Jess. Together, the pair forms a relationship that will warm and break your heart. Incredibly profound and wonderfully done."
Exeunt Magazine "Mozgala is excellent, and it is admirable that an actor who does have cerebral palsy is cast in the role."
2014 DISNEY/ABC TALENT SHOWCASE
READ THE REVIEWS:
The Guardian How ABC Casts The Diversity Net Wider For Stars And Talent
"There’s a clear business case for diversity, as some 40% of the US population come from ethnic minority backgrounds*...UCLA’s recent diversity report noted that dramas and comedies with diverse casts excel in the ratings, but also that most shows it examined lacked diversity both on- and off-screen – which, it concluded, “does not bode well for the Hollywood industry as the nation’s population continues to diversify at a dizzying rate”
*56 million americans live with a disability- nearly 20% of the population
1 in 323 children is born with cerebral palsy in the U.S.
The Guardian How ABC Casts The Diversity Net Wider For Stars And Talent
"There’s a clear business case for diversity, as some 40% of the US population come from ethnic minority backgrounds*...UCLA’s recent diversity report noted that dramas and comedies with diverse casts excel in the ratings, but also that most shows it examined lacked diversity both on- and off-screen – which, it concluded, “does not bode well for the Hollywood industry as the nation’s population continues to diversify at a dizzying rate”
*56 million americans live with a disability- nearly 20% of the population
1 in 323 children is born with cerebral palsy in the U.S.
THE TEMPEST: Nebraska Shakespeare
READ THE REVIEWS:
The World Herald "There’s plenty of talent in the cast, led by...hunky (and shirtless) Gregg Mozgala as Caliban...
Omaha.com "Grab a blanket and a picnic basket, and get ready for some theatrical magic."
KMTV Action 3 News Feature Appearance on The Morning Blend...
The World Herald "There’s plenty of talent in the cast, led by...hunky (and shirtless) Gregg Mozgala as Caliban...
Omaha.com "Grab a blanket and a picnic basket, and get ready for some theatrical magic."
KMTV Action 3 News Feature Appearance on The Morning Blend...
THE PENALTY: Dixon Place / The Apothetae
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "The Apothetae Aims to merge Disabilities Into the Theatrical Mainstream."
NYTheatre.com "Mozgala plays Blizzard and he brings to this malevolent character a palpable empathy and compelling depth within the piece's highly stylized framework."
New York Theater Review "Gregg Mozgala’s voice was strong and soared above the music, leaving me with chills. His performance as the malicious Blizzard is layered and complex, exciting to watch unfold."
New York Times "The Apothetae Aims to merge Disabilities Into the Theatrical Mainstream."
NYTheatre.com "Mozgala plays Blizzard and he brings to this malevolent character a palpable empathy and compelling depth within the piece's highly stylized framework."
New York Theater Review "Gregg Mozgala’s voice was strong and soared above the music, leaving me with chills. His performance as the malicious Blizzard is layered and complex, exciting to watch unfold."
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE: Theatre Breaking Through Barriers
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "...The seven actors are lively handling over two dozen roles...They are an adept group..."
The Huffington Post "...Gregg Mozgala's simply charming Bassanio."
SOME OF OUR PARTS: Theatre Breaking Through Barriers
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "Spunky! The acting is fine throughout...Very effecting."
New York Post "I was lucky enough to be asked to contribute to this lovely evening of plays, they were brave enough to say that there are no restrictions," LaBute tells The Post.
NYTheatre.com "The acting is flawless! This fascinating commentary on disability in America proves exactly why Theater Breaking Through Barriers is as vital as it is."
Backstage "...These seven profound and affectiting ten-minute plays disable preconceived notions about people with disabilities."
TheatreMania.com "People with disabilities take center stage in Some Of Our Parts..."
TalkEntertainment.com "Fast, heartfelt and sometimes very funny. Each play is concise...performed with spunk, determination, resilience and humor. Excellent!
THE MEDIUM: Spoleto Festival USA
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "...And Gregg Mozgala was affecting as Toby."
The Charlotte Observer "...Actor Gregg Mozgala...spoke volumes through the yearning in his eyes and the struggling fervor of his movement."
Charleston City Paper "Menotti's most significant contribution may not be his operas, but the festival itself."
New York Times "...And Gregg Mozgala was affecting as Toby."
The Charlotte Observer "...Actor Gregg Mozgala...spoke volumes through the yearning in his eyes and the struggling fervor of his movement."
Charleston City Paper "Menotti's most significant contribution may not be his operas, but the festival itself."
THE LAWS OF MOTION: Performance Space 122
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "...Becomes gripping when the focus turns to the budding romance between Christopher (Gregg Mozgala) and Anna (Sara Buffamanti)...
NYTheatre.com "The excellent cast of 12...Gregg Mozgala (Christopher)...particularly affecting among the leading players."
DIAGNOSIS OF A FAUN:
Tamar Rogoff Performance Projects
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times “I have felt things that I felt were completely closed off to me for the last 30 years...
New York Times "The choice of the faun character — half goat, half human, famously incarnated by Nijinsky — for Mr. Mozgala is Ms. Rogoff’s one masterstroke."
Backstage "...a role specifically for Mozgala...to see how the indomitable performer's physical limitations might withstand—or, indeed, redefine—the arena of dance."
The Washington Post "Mozgala is a marvelously feral faun...He lights up this work."
The Village Voice "Superb...Extremely erotic...My kind of faun."
Dance Magazine "Together Rogoff and Mozgala have created a true and powerful Faun."
CBS Sunday Morning Watch The Feature Story!
Good Morning America Watch The Feature Story!
FUNNY AS A CRUTCH: The Foolish Theatre Company
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "...Mr. Mozgala as a young man trying to follow his family’s military tradition, is just plain touching."
NYTheatre.com "The remarkable actors...do excellent work throughout...The nine plays give each of them lots of chances to demonstrate impressive range."
Backstage "The actors take on their multiple rolls with aplomb...all demonstrate versatility and genuine comic flair..."
New York Times "...Mr. Mozgala as a young man trying to follow his family’s military tradition, is just plain touching."
NYTheatre.com "The remarkable actors...do excellent work throughout...The nine plays give each of them lots of chances to demonstrate impressive range."
Backstage "The actors take on their multiple rolls with aplomb...all demonstrate versatility and genuine comic flair..."
ROMEO & JULIET: Theater Breaking Through Barriers
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "Mr. Mozgala...in particular shatters the myth that actors with mobility problems make for static productions...Very appealing"
NYTheatre.com "Gregg Mozgala and Emily Young capture the souls of the two fiercely passionate, ridiculously inexperienced lovers, without giving up a second of being immediate, earnest, and just like 14-year-olds."
PlayShakespeare "Productions like this are the best examples of why live theatre so deservedly continues to endure and thrive, and how such risk-taking can redefine the parameters of future envelopes to be pushed."
THE ROOSEVELT COUSINS THOROUGHLY SAUCED: Ensemble Studio Theatre
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "Highlights include 'The Roosevelt Cousins, Thoroughly Sauced,' by Michael Lew, which chronicles some quality time between Franklin and Eleanor over a bottle of moonshine..."
NYTheatre.com "...great execution from the cast, led by a hysterically over-the-top Gregg Mozgala as Franklin..."
New York Times "Highlights include 'The Roosevelt Cousins, Thoroughly Sauced,' by Michael Lew, which chronicles some quality time between Franklin and Eleanor over a bottle of moonshine..."
NYTheatre.com "...great execution from the cast, led by a hysterically over-the-top Gregg Mozgala as Franklin..."
THE RULES OF CHARITY: Theatre By The Blind
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "...This dark, scaldng play...being given a sharp New York premier by Theatre By The Blind...and for the benefit of blind audience members an unobtrusive narrator (Gregg Mozgala)...
NYTheatre.com "The always reliable Gregg Mozgala is also on hand, serving as the production's Narrator...a nice touch that enhances the overall experience for everyone."
THE TRUE LIFE STORY OF [YOUR NAME HERE]:
The Brick Theatre $ellout Festival
READ THE REVIEWS:
New York Times "The cast is short one actor, the script consists of eight scenes that aren't finished, and the artistic directors are still struggling to link them. Rehearsals start anyway."
NYTheatre.com "...The talented seven-person cast is up to the task of keeping the story straight...all look like they're having a blast..."
Time Out New York "...seven fine actors buzz efficiently through the frenetic script..."
New York Times "The cast is short one actor, the script consists of eight scenes that aren't finished, and the artistic directors are still struggling to link them. Rehearsals start anyway."
NYTheatre.com "...The talented seven-person cast is up to the task of keeping the story straight...all look like they're having a blast..."
Time Out New York "...seven fine actors buzz efficiently through the frenetic script..."
