Artistic Portfolio
In Process - Angels in America
“This production is nothing less than absolutely extraordinary… Actors Theatre has staged a beautiful and harrowing production of Angels in America that needs to be seen by everyone. Heartbreaking and conscientious, this contemporary classic is anything but irrelevant in the wake of alarming current events. And Meredith McDonough's production Actors Theater is ample proof of how meaningful this show truly is. – Broadway World
“It’s not just critics who can get weighed down by the importance of a work like Angels in America.The burden can crush producers, directors and actors, as well. But the Actors Theatre of Louisville production shows no sign of that malady. I don’t see how a person would depart the theater without being provoked, inspired, appalled, delighted and disturbed by the play. But while you’re sitting in your seats, this Angels in America is, from moment to moment, a delightfully-fun work of art. There’s nothing that smacks of self-consciousness or pomp. Director Meredith McDonough, her cast and the ATL technical team have created six hours of theater that pulse with energy throughout.” - LEO Weekly
In Process - Falsettos
“McDonough’s staging amplifies the show’s wit as it establishes the show’s cultural grounding in a Jewish family in the first act. The production’s second act is more moving than the competent Lapine directed Broadway tour…That’s clearly because of the director’s bifurcated vision, which opens up the audience with humor before grabbing our hearts.” – Star Tribune
“Theater Latte Da’s aesthetic of intimate and insightful interpretations of musical theater lives on in its richly entertaining season-opening production of William Finn’s “Falsettos.” The deeply committed cast throws itself passionately into each characterization and song, the attention to musical detail is awe-inspiring, and the stagecraft is impeccable. Under the meticulous direction of Meredith McDonough, this staging boasts a cast of seven bursting with charisma and what feels like an unshakable faith in the material. No song goes unsold, the emotions invariably palpable in the theatre.” – Pioneer Press
In Action - Airness
In Action - The Curious Incident of the Dog the Nighttime
In St. Louis - Lifespan of a Fact
“Smart, fast-paced, rather serious comedy about the meaning of Truth. Heading an all-star creative team is director Meredith McDonough, an expert known for her prowess in presenting new works. Under her care Lifespan of a Fact is a tightly wound emotional production that uses biting comedy as a counterbalance for the deep dive it takes into the subjects of news gathering, fact finding and accuracy in media.– Broadway World
“The Lifespan of a Fact makes for a highly entertaining night of theater in addition to being a fascinating conversation starter for days to come.” - ReviewSTL
In St. Louis - Private Lives
“One of the things that makes this production so delightful is how malleable the clever script is in the hands of a talented cast, guided with considerable finesse by director Meredith McDonough… the Rep’s delightfully cathartic show is subtly self-aware and laugh-out-loud funny. A general rebellious attitude toward the patriarchy updates the tone without losing any laughs.” – Riverfront Times
“Private Lives is darn near perfect… Noël Coward requires a very special sensibility, and Ms. McDonough clearly has that. She makes this a classic production of this classic comedy.” – KDHX
In Practice
My art making allows for and fosters a space for the unexpected. It is surprising, thought-provoking, joyful, inclusive, theatrical, inspiring and always curious.
About
Meredith McDonough was the associate artistic director at Actors Theatre of Louisville for 7 seasons, where she has directed Angels in America, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Santaland Diaries, Circle Mirror Transformation, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Last Five Years, Noises Off and The Whipping Man, in addition to the world premieres of Marginal Loss, This Random World, Dot, brownsville song (b-side for tray) and The Delling Shore.
Previously, McDonough was the director of new works at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, California, where she directed the world premiere musical Triangle, as well as the premieres of Upright Grand and Auctioning the Ainsleys, as well as Silent Sky, Now Circa Then, [title of show] and Opus (Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards: Best Director and Best Production). Other San Francisco credits include the premieres of both Miss Bennett—Christmas at Pemberley and Georgiana and Kitty by Lauren Gunderson and Margon Melcon, as well as A Steady Rain at Marin Theatre Company, and The Lily’s Revenge with Taylor Mac and the premiere of Anna Ziegler’s Another Way Home at Magic Theatre.
Regionally, favorites include the U.S. premiere of Lucy Prebble’s NSFW (Roundhouse Theatre), the world premiere of Kate Hamill’s Emma and Noises Off (Guthrie Theatre), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Milwaukee Rep and Arizona Theatre Company), 39 Steps (Denver Theatre Center), Private Lives and Lifespan of a Fact (REP Theatre of St. Louis), Cyrano (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and Two River Theatre), Fair Use (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), Eurydice (Williamstown Theatre Festival), The Book Club Play (Dallas Theater Center) and the Washington, D.C. premiere of the musical Summer of ’42.
In New York City, McDonough has developed work with Roundabout Theatre Company, Atlantic Theater Company, The Lark, Keen Company and Ars Nova. She was the associate artistic director of The Orchard Project, was the new works director for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and served on the board of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society for 5 years.
McDonough received her B.S. from Northwestern University and her M.F.A. from University of California, San Diego. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her dog, Ron.