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Directing
Bob: A Life in Five Acts
Summer Circle Theatre -- East Lansing, MI
"This one is “mature audiences” - a strange and funny epic with a frantic pace as Bob (Grant Cleaveland) is born and abandoned in a White Castle bathroom and caroms through his five “acts” in search of greatness and meaning. As the Director’s note promises, there are "dancing, stage combat, funny wigs, spinning things, a Gershwin tune, and genuine human connection." The whirlwind of life stages is almost too much to keep up with but it is quite a ride."
-- Aaron Herrbach, Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre News
Mr. Marmalade (co-directed with Karen Vance)
Summer Circle Theatre - East Lansing, MI
"The ensemble is tight and the show’s vision is cohesive. Greenbaum and Vance make great use of the Summer Circle stage, directing their actors to alternately flee from and to each other. They choose the distance between characters well to underline the script and what is happening between characters at the time. And in a show that is high-energy, they make good use of silences—whether they are awkward or angry. Mr. Marmalade is a fun romp that travels through some dark and serious topics. The cast works together to make sure you are laughing all throughout it even while asking afterward the more pressing questions about the themes raised in this show."
-- Bridgette Redman, Encore Michigan
Devised Theater
Carpe Tunnel: Embracing the Struggle
Counting Squares Theatre @ The Spoon Theatre -- New York, NY
In an effort to explore humanity, life and the struggle therein, CST presents a series of new works. From a new piece by Stephen Belber to excerpts from our workshopped adaptation of Buchner’s Woyzeck which incorporates music dance to address the ever-present theme of soldiers returning from war and the struggle to reintegrate into society. Carpe Tunnel also featured eight additional new pieces written solely by company members with music from Nick Sprysenski. Featuring songs from his album Caterwaul, Sprysenski has been called “one of the city’s most visceral songwriters.
-- CST Press Release
Bigger Than i (part I)
Counting Squares Theatre @ Under St. Marks -- New York, NY
"The writing is fine, but what really shines here is the excellent work of the actors and the professionalism of the production.
-- Martin Denton, nytheatre.com
"One particularly compelling sequence involves a young Jewish man (Matt Greenbaum) venturing to confession with a Catholic priest (Michael Barringer) in order to attempt to absolve the guilt he feels over his father's death. This scene is uniquely touching because both the young man and his confessor come across as fully human -- flawed but ultimately sympathetic."
-- Kelly Aliano, Off-Off Online
Bigger Than i (part II)
Counting Squares Theatre @ FringeNYC -- New York, NY
"What is bigger than I? "I" being each of us, our individual identities that we spend a lot of time on, who else? But we do need our families and friends, we need to navigate all the hazards of being with others so we can find love, what we all need. And then we want to protect ourselves and the closest to us, from pain. It isn't easy being "I". Excellent acting and directing, complimented by intelligent design elements—lighting, sound, set and costumes. The story is worthwhile, and it's a pleasure to watch these fine actors work. Matt Greenbaum is solid as Robert, former lover of Carol/Nigeria and Olivia's friend and empathetic ear."
-- Pamela Butler, nytheatre.com
Laboratory and Collaboration
Directing scene work from Suddenly Last Summer
Michigan State University
Experimenting with 3dsMax to create lighting design renderings for "On the Right Track" from Pippin.
Michigan State University
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