The Fort Lewis College Theatre department has had many inspirational guests, changes, and experiences over the years.

This fall Danny Mitarotondo, a director and playwright from New York,  was asked to both teach a playwriting class and direct this year’s production of Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, by Christopher Durang.

The show brought in a large crowd and ran for two successful weekends.

“I was excited to do the play,” Mitarotondo said. “It’s a challenging play but I was excited for that challenge and also excited to work with students.”

Mitarotondo had never directed students prior to his time at FLC, and was surprised by the work ethic and believes the play was successful and performed in the best way it could, he said .

Being involved in theatre throughout high school, Mitarotondo continued his studies in the subject during college.

At New York University he received a Bachelor of Arts in independent study for theatre, literature, and progressed with his interest through the Atlantic Acting School.

His talented playwriting skills and successful piece, We Carry On, got him accepted to Columbia University where he got his Master of Fine Arts in playwriting.

Later, Mitarotondo became the Artistic Director of The Common Tongue, in New York City.

Mitarotondo has written many of his own plays including: We Carry On, The Room and a Richard, and Manmade Mistakes.

Mitarotondo writes plays related to many real life experiences, basing themes around reconciliation and reunion, he said.

Focusing on the strength it takes for one to admit mistakes while questioning whether or not mistakes will ever go away, Mitarotondo said. fragment

In the past, the FLC theatre department has brought in guest artists. It is a requirement for theatre majors to spend a certain number of hours learning from a guest artist.

When Interim Theatre Department Chair, Dennis Elkins, was informed of the need for someone to direct Why Torture is Wrong and the People Who Love Them, he thought of Mitarotondo and asked him immediately, Elkins said.

Because Mitarotondo also taught playwriting, Elkins encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunity. 

“Playwriting is in our curriculum but unfortunately it is not one of those courses that gets taught very often,” Elkins said.

Mitarotondo is currently teaching a class on modern theatre this semester.

“He has an extreme passion for the work he is doing with his students,” Elkins said. “His enthusiasm is infectious.”

“Mitarotondo interacts with students very well,” said Erin O’Connor, a senior at FLC who has worked with Mitarotondo.

“He’s younger than most of the professors here on campus and I think that aides him in how he communicated with students,” O’Connor said. “He brings up things that we can relate to and understand.”

Mitarotondo assisted O’Connor to continue with theatre, she said.

FLC theatre department was happy when Mitarotondo decided to stay for the spring semester.

Staying for the second semester has been a wonderful decision, Mitarotondo said. “Durango is the most beautiful place,” Mitarotondo said. “It’s so pretty and inspiring and I write so much better here.”

After the summer, Mitarotondo will be going back to New York.

Currently he is in New York working on his most recent play, Orchestra, and will return later in the month to continue his class and finish out the winter semester.