Mairi Chanel

MAIRI CHANEL

SHAKESPEARE ║ PERFORMANCE ║ INTIMACY CHOREOGRAPHY ║ ENSEMBLE BUILDING

Mairi is a New England based Shakespeare practitioner, theatre-maker, and intimacy choreographer. She has dedicated 18 years to professional theatre as a performer, producer, designer, facilitator, writer, and company advocate.

Performance

Crafting vulnerable performances, grounded in instinct, play, the body, and a deep understanding of text in the worlds of Shakespeare’s canon, as well as in experimental, queer, horror, and fantastical theatre.

Intimacy

Supporting the staging of profoundly affecting and effective moments of physical human connection, by uplifting the artistic collaboration and vision of director and performer with tools for consent, care, and choreography.

Ensemble

Empowering a brave, supportive ensemble while facilitating intentional, emotive storytelling through communication and self-advocacy tools, shared movement languages, and ensemble-led show-raising practices.

Mairi is the exact kind of artist that I hope to work with on every project. Aside from her talent as a performer, she is the glue you want holding an ensemble together: she consistently finds the balance between eagerly contributing to the collaboration while holding space for other voices. I feel privileged to have spent time in classrooms and rehearsal rooms with Mairi and her knowledge of Shakespeare and theatre is surpassed only by her warmth and collegial spirit.

Mac MacDaniel, Co-Founder of Elsewhere Shakespeare

Mairi is a brave performer, kind leader, and one of the most ensemble-forward collaborators I have ever worked with. They are always willing to advocate for the needs of the room, including their own, and in doing so they foster an environment in which collaboration can flourish. Their excitement for new ideas is palpable, making it exhilarating to work with them both on and offstage.

Julia Sommer, Director, Actor, and Dramaturg

Mairi is a professional, inventive, and powerful player on any stage or set. Her performances are focused, alive, alert, and her entire presence is wise in ways that span every element of performance and production. If you don’t find a chance to work with her, make one.

Alejandro Amundah, Actor and Associate Director of Upstart Crows of Santa Fe and The Shakespeare Gym

Mairi is warm, thoughtful, kind, and has an incredibly insightful approach to text and ensemble development. She cultivates an air of trust and support between ensemble members during the creative process that allows each person to have fun with themselves and each other and truly live in a state of play.
Lucas LeBlanc, Actor