At my high school graduation party, my AP English teacher told me, “You should be a writer.”
Eighteen-year-old me didn’t believe her because she didn’t understand how hard and long it took to get something respectable to turn into class. And because I was dumb and 18. I pursued art. I pursued dentistry. I pursued fatherhood.
Many years later when I joined Facebook just to check on my friends and drop a rumination of the day, a recurring theme surfaced. All my friends, many whom I didn’t know even looked at my page, told me the same thing, “You should be a writer.” That, of course, just put pressure on me to double, triple, quadruple edit every post to make sure every word, every syllable, every syntax was perfect. From there I ventured into the rare note on random topics and was again shocked by the input of friends who seemingly not only enjoyed my writing, but looked forward to it. “You should be a writer.”
Along the way, I began some traditions—Oscar predictions, Tony predictions, reviews of Broadway shows and tours, and the pinnacle of my Facebook epics, my annual Christmas CD and Christmas Playlist. Eventually, I listened and picked up a project I’d been working on for decades. Within a year I was a published and produced playwright with the world premiere of Without a Clue, a parody of all the old 40s and 50s detective movies set in the world of a particular board game with 6 different endings and the audience picked the murderer each night. That changed everything. When I said “I am a dentist”, it meant I earned a living as a dentist. Same with “I am an actor” or “I am a designer”. But, as I told my very gifted cast on opening night, for the first time when I said “I am a writer”, it meant something different, more personal, more accurate, more the core of my identity. Not only that, but when I announced the production, four of my high school classmates traveled to surprise me because they liked my writing and wanted to see the next stage where it came to fruition. (Barbara, Missy, Kathy, and Janet, I will always consider you my first fans!)
When Facebook suddenly discontinued their Notes section, I decided to listen to everyone and open a space where I am a writer. From here on out, here is where you will find all my past and future ruminations on music, theatre, movies, and any other relevant art, but in the unique way you have expected—honest, humorous, and nothing off limits. I owe special thanks to Jeff Harrison at Focus 4 Digital for his expertise and guidance in building this site, and my multi-talented daughter Hayley for developing the graphics, and to every one of you who ever told me “You should be a writer.” If, like Cher, I could turn back time, I would have just listened to my English teacher. Sister Suzanne, you knew better than me.
About Mark
Born in Cumberland, Maryland, Mark moved to the Baltimore area to attend the Johns Hopkins University. A trained fine artist, he found that the university had no on campus arts classes or organizations except for the Johns Hopkins Barnstormers, a student run theatre group. Figuring art is art is art, he quickly discovered a talent and passion for theatre as a performer, director, musical director, and costume designer. While at Hopkins, he was hired as the box office manager and production assistant for the resident Theatre Hopkins and considers his time at the side of his mentor, the esteemed Mrs. Laurlene Pratt, to be the most educational artistic experience of his life, learning more about ever aspect of theatre than any class or degree could possibly teach.
He took time off to pursue a doctoral degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, after which he became active in Baltimore area community, regional, and dinner theatre. Over the years he rose to become an accomplished performer, designer, producer, and one of the most respected directors in the Baltimore/DC area. As a performer, he has appeared in roles as varied as Corny Collins in Hairspray, Capt. Walker in The Who’s Tommy, Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Lumière in Beauty & the Beast, Rooster Hannigan in Annie, the Union Captain in The Civil War, Josh Baskin in Big, and Jojo the sleazy street hustler in Winters Lane Productions award-winning presentation of The Life.
As a director, he is in demand throughout the state with critically acclaimed productions to his credit including Chess, Altar Boyz, The Wedding Singer, Evita, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Little Shop of Horrors, and his award-winning favorites Dreamgirls for Winters Lane Production, produced through a grant from DreamWorks Studios and named Best Musical of 2006 in numerous awards throughout the Baltimore/DC area, and his 2016 Ruby Griffith Award winning Catch Me If You Can for Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre.
In 2018, Mark added published and performed playwright to his credits, when his smash hit Without a Clue received critical acclaim and audience raves in its sold out, box office record setting run. He has also been commissioned as a theatrical critic for professional work throughout Baltimore and DC for the Hippodrome and the Kennedy Center. Always an active proponent of the arts, Mark serves as a member of the board of directors of Tidewater Players, the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, and is a founding board member of Winters Lane Productions.
Mark is also the most proud father of two who have shared their dad’s passion for theatre and have performed with him and gone on to share their mega-talents with the world. Son Justin is a rising force in the anime voice acting world, most noted for his performance as Izuku/Deku in the popular My Hero Academia franchise, and daughter Hayley is an accomplished vocalist and musical theatre actress who he feels very confident you will also hear more from. He couldn’t be more proud of either.
Contact me at mark@markonthearts.com