mack wins MCC grant
The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has awarded Michael Mack an MCC Fellowship in Dramatic Writing for his solo play Conversations with My Molester: A Journey of Faith.
Mack is one of only four Massachusetts playwrights to receive the 2013 fellowship – the state's most prestigious and competitive arts award – "for creating work of exceptional quality."
double-click image for hi-res | credit: timothy hanson
"conversations" at paulist center
Michael Mack reprised his autobiographical solo show Conversations with My Molester: A Journey of Faith at Boston's Paulist Center, a Catholic Church community. Called "spellbinding" by the Cambridge Chronicle, the play ran in January and February. Press Release
A post-show talkback after each performance featured Mack and Fr. Rick Walsh of the Paulist Fathers – an order of Roman Catholic priests – welcoming into a "conversation" all those impacted by clergy abuse. Flyer
artist statement on "conversations"
Crimes against children are especially troubling, and those who commit them must fully understand the harm they do. Justice must be served.
But is justice truly served if long after the crime – and even after the punishment – victims remain damaged?
True justice brings relief, not only to victims, but to all of us. As such, it must include some measure of reconciliation. Justice and reconciliation are not mutually exclusive.
What is the cost of forgiveness? The play Conversations with My Molester, and the audience conversations that follow each performance, explore the nature of reconciliation – its meaning and its place – in a justice of healing.
conversations with my molester:
a journey of faith
Like many Catholic boys in the 1960s, Michael Mack wanted to be a priest. That dream ended at age 11 when his pastor invited him to the rectory to help with "a project."
In the decades that followed, Mack wrestled with disturbing questions about sexuality and spirituality, and imagined one day meeting his abuser for a conversation. In 2008 he had that chance, and landed on his former pastor's doorstep.
Mack's new solo play Conversations with My Molester: A Journey of Faith chronicles the events that took him full circle away from – and back to – the Catholic Church.
Directed by Daniel Gidron, Mack's lyric monologue premiered at the 10-year anniversary of Boston's clergy sexual abuse crisis.
New York Times
profiles mack
full-page feature headlines national news
On Friday, January 11, New York Times reporter Katharine Seelye flew up from NYC to watch Michael Mack perform Conversations with My Molester: A Journey of Faith at the Paulist Center of Boston. Running through February 2, the production was a joint project between Mack and the Paulist community, whose mission is reconciliation and social justice. The article appeared on the front page of the National news section on Monday, January 14. NY Times Article
press
NPR WGBH feature on "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" — Feb 25, 2013
NEW YORK TIMES Feature, FRONT PAGE, National News — Jan 14, 2013
CAMBRIDGE CHRONICLE Review / Column — Apr 8, 2012
THE PILOT Feature — Apr 6, 2012
BOSTON GLOBE Feature — Mar 28, 2012
CAMBRIDGE CHRONICLE Feature, FRONT PAGE — Mar 23, 2012
EDGE Review — Jan 16, 2012
BOSTON HERALD Feature — Jan 11, 2012
NPR Radio Boston Interview — Jan 11, 2012
BOSTON METRO Feature, FRONT PAGE— Jan 4, 2012
