About Me
Thomas Murray is a documentary theatre maker, director, and teacher. He serves as executive director of Waltzing Mechanics and program manager for Storycatchers Theatre's Word Warriors Ensemble, where he collaborates with incarcerated youth at the Illinois Youth Center in Warrenville.
His newest docudrama THE RIGHT OF WAY performed most recently at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. following presentations at the Moss Arts Center (Blacksburg, VA), National Academy of Sciences (Washington, D.C.), Bicycle Indiana Summit (Indianapolis) and the American Planning Association's National Conference (New Orleans). THE RIGHT OF WAY was developed through public workshops with Forum Theatre (Washington, D.C.), Theatre in the Square (Atlanta), and the Greenhouse Theater Center (Chicago). It is published in ArtsPraxis by New York University.
His original works with Waltzing Mechanics includes the interview-based comedy series EL STORIES (featured at the NYU Forum on Ethnodrama) and OVER MY DEAD BODY (supported by the MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture). He directed Danielle Pinnock’s BODY/COURAGE in performance at the Chicago Fringe Festival (Fringe Choice Award), MPAACT, Congo Square Theatre, and the Greenhouse Theater Center. He also directed Dee Dee Batteast’s NO AIDS, NO MAIDS for Gloucester Stage Company in Massachusetts.
As a director in his hometown of Chicago, Thomas helmed both devised and scripted work for Broken Nose Theatre, The Ruckus, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Ka-Tet Theatre Company, City Lit Theatre, Prologue Theatre, Hobo Junction, Strangeloop Theatre, and The Arc Theatre. New York credits include work with Ping Chong + Company and Honest Accomplice Theatre.
As a teacher, Thomas has lectured at DePaul University, New York University, Illinois State University, Beloit College, Baruch College, Elmhurst College, and his alma maters, Virginia Tech and Ball State University. He teaches acting and playwriting to court-involved youth through his roles at Storycatchers Theatre.
Thomas has been a member of The Midwives, the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, a Sackler Fellow with the National Academy of Sciences, a Community Engagement Fellow with Ping Chong + Company, an artistic apprentice with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and a recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from Ball State University. He holds a B.A. in theatre production from Ball State University and an M.F.A. in directing and public dialogue from Virginia Tech.
