Behind the Scenes
From iMovies to full scale productions, I have always loved creating the magic and watching it happen.
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Check out some of the work I've done below!
Directing / Choreography
MJ made her Edinburgh Fringe Festival debut August 2025 as the Assistant Director of Brave Irene. The show performed at The Sanctuary at Paradise Green and received high praise from audience members and critics alike.
As a collaborative team, the goal was to create an imaginative production with unique movement that would restore childlike wonder and love in our audiences from all walks of life. Her main assignments included but were not limited to; establishing 5 contrasting styles of movement for each “element” the ensemble portrayed, creating engaging movement pieces in collaboration with the choreographer, assisting the director with blocking ideas, creating a mood board to share with the team, assisting with publicity, and most importantly, working diligently with the actors both one-on-one and in groups to improve their overall performance.
She often had to organize and run rehearsals by herself with our cast both at Interlochen and in Edinburgh, leading the group of 12 actors through physical characterization exercises, vocal warmups, and discussions of script analysis. In this role, it was important to her to lead with empathy and clear communication, so her actors felt comfortable to explore. She finds leading groups in this manner benefits the whole team.
As a senior, MJ was selected to study in Andrew McGinn’s directing class. She has since worked on the Every 28 Hours One Minute Play Selections, a scene from Silent Sky, and completed her background work for her upcoming one act play, Watermelon Boats.
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In her “Dance for Musical Theatre classes,” MJ has choreographed pieces from Hamilton, Legally Blonde, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Amelie. As part of her work with the Academy of Children’s Theatre, she choreographed pieces for Gapetto and Seussical.
Watermelon Boats by Wendy MacLaughlin Directed by MJ Brendel is performing January 23rd & 24th as part of the One Act Festival at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Harvey Theatre.
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Contact MJ at morganjanebrendel@gmail.com if you want her full proposal.
Technical Theatre
MJ was introduced to the world of technical theatre during her freshman year as part of working with Stephen John on the “Tech Olympics." Ever since, she has worked behind the scenes on countless shows.
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Some roles she has taken on include
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Stage Manager
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Assistant Stage Manager
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Wardrobe Crew*
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Lighting Board Operator
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Sound Board Operator
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Costume Designer
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Props Master
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*Received the Interlochen Wardrobe Crew Award for her work on Corner's Grove
Dramaturgy
As part of her education at Interlochen, MJ has come to adore dramaturgical work. Some of her favorite productions she has studied include Silent Sky, Two Ladies, The Maids, Landscape of the Body, and The Cake.
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For all of Andrew McGinn's shows, he requires the cast to create a creative dramaturgical website for the audience to indulge in. She was a member of the dramaturgy team for Network, focusing her writing on Evangelical Christianity, and served as one of the dramaturgy captains for the “Night of Shaw” website.
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You can find the link to the "Night of Shaw" website by clicking on the image.
Theatre Education
MJ spent time at The Academy of Children’s Theatre in Richland, Washington as an educational intern. She gained experience working both the front and back of the house, teaching theatre students ages 3-16 in the classrooms while also managing customer service and computer operations in the front office. Every summer, the Academy puts on a variety of productions, and MJ was able to assist with costume design and choreography for several.
In addition, she occasionally volunteers at her former school, assisting with instruction in the Music Classroom.
