{{Short description|Italian playwright (born 1980)}} {{BLP sources|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox person | image = SCAD Festival 2017-Marco Calvani.jpg | image_size = | caption = Calvani at Savannah Film Festival 2017 | name = Marco Calvani | birth_place = Prato, Tuscany, Italy | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|12|11|df=yes}} | occupation = {{flatlist| * Playwright * filmmaker }} | years_active = 1996–present | spouse = {{marriage|Marco Pigossi|2023}} }} '''Marco Calvani''' (born 11 December 1980) is an Italian playwright, director, filmmaker, translator and actor.
==Biography== Trained as an actor since he was a teenager, Calvani made his debut as a playwright in 2002 with ''Quasi'', commissioned by the European Social Forum.
''Strong Hands'' was his first play to be translated and performed to great acclaim throughout Europe. Commissions from the Todi Arte Festival, the Phoenix Theatre, London, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club of New York, Teatro di Roma, Théâtre de la Ville of Paris and the Festival Grec de Barcelona followed. His play ''The City Beneath'' had its New York City debut at the Sage Theater in 2009. In the same year he also wrote and directed ''Penelope in Groznyj'', performed first at Berlin's Kunsthaus Tacheles<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kunsthaus-tacheles.de/ |title=Home |website=kunsthaus-tacheles.de}}</ref> and was the only European guest at Bali's international Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/festival-archive/ubud-writers-readers-festival-2009/ |title=Ubud Writers & readers Festival 2009 | Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2014 |access-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018222657/http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/festival-archive/ubud-writers-readers-festival-2009/ |archive-date=18 October 2014}}</ref>
In 2011 he won a residency at the Cité internationale des arts<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citedesartsparis.net/|title=Cité internationale des arts|first=Cité internationale des|last=arts|website=Cité internationale des arts}}</ref> of Paris and was invited by the Théâtre de la Ville<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatredelaville-paris.com/en|title=Home|website=Théâtre de la ville de Paris}}</ref> to represent Italy in an international writing project. In the same year he was awarded the SIAE Prize<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://old.festivaldispoleto.com/2014/Eventi.asp?Fb=1&id_progetto=216&lang=eng|title=Siae Prize For Creativity For Author Of Music|website=Festival Di Spoleto 57 - Edizione 2014}}</ref> as best playwright at the Spoleto Festival.
He created the project AdA (Author directing Author) with his friend and colleague Neil LaBute, for which he wrote ''Things of This World'' (Festival dei Due Mondi of Spoleto,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.festivaldispoleto.com/2012/TEATRO.asp?id_dettaglio=3262&lang=eng |title=Festival Dispoleto |access-date=28 October 2014 |archive-date=28 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028121610/http://www.festivaldispoleto.com/2012/TEATRO.asp?id_dettaglio=3262&lang=eng |url-status=dead}}</ref> Fringe Festival Madrid,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fringemadrid.com/ |title=Home |website=fringemadrid.com}}</ref> La MaMa Theatre, New York),<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lamama.org/|title=La MaMa | Experimental Theatre Club in New York|website=lamama.org}}</ref> ''The Second Time'' (Venice Biennale Teatro,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.labiennale.org/it/biennale-channel|title=Biennale Channel|date=6 March 2017|website=La Biennale di Venezia}}</ref> La MaMa Theatre New York),<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nytheaternow.com/Content/Article/The-Second-Time-Happy-Hour-Authors-Directing-Authors/ |title=The Second Time & Happy Hour (Authors Directing Authors) |access-date=14 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714174740/http://nytheaternow.com/Content/Article/The-Second-Time-Happy-Hour-Authors-Directing-Authors/ |archive-date=14 July 2015 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> and ''After the Dark'' (Sala Beckett Barcelone,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.salabeckett.cat/|title=Sala Beckett | Obrador Internacional de Dramatúrgia|website=Sala Beckett}}</ref> La MaMa Theatre New York).<ref name="auto1"/>
In 2013 the Teatro Metastasio Stabile della Toscana organized a retrospective of his work for which he wrote and directed ''I am Dracula''. The same year, Glory Kadigan directed the New York premiere of his play ''Oil'', for which he was presented with the Award for Outstanding Playwriting at the Planet Connections Theater Festivity Awards.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |url=http://planetconnections.org/2013-festivity-archive/2013-awards-gala/ |title=2013 Awards Ceremony and Party {{!}} Planet Connections |website=planetconnections.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207151200/http://planetconnections.org/2013-festivity-archive/2013-awards-gala/ |archive-date=7 February 2014}}</ref> He is the founder and artistic director of Mixò, an international cultural center that brings together young actors and writers and promotes original works for stage and screen. His works have been translated and performed in six languages.
He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and of the Playwrights/Directors Unit at the Actors Studio.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://theactorsstudio.org// |title=The Official Web Site of the Actors Studio |access-date=14 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717055101/http://theactorsstudio.org/ |archive-date=17 July 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He is a permanent artist-in-residence at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club of New York.
In 2015 he was awarded the Writer Fellowship from the Edward F. Albee Foundation.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.albeefoundation.org/current-fellows-2015.html/ |title=Current Fellows: 2015 - the Edward F. Albee Foundation |access-date=14 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714173948/http://www.albeefoundation.org/current-fellows-2015.html/ |archive-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>
His play ''Beautiful Day Without You'' was commissioned by the Off-Broadway Origin Theatre Company and had its world premiere at the West End Theatre of New York in November 2018 directed by Erwin Maas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2018 |title=Dan Butler Joins Cast of World Premiere of Beautiful Day Without You |url=https://playbill.com/article/dan-butler-joins-cast-of-world-premiere-of-beautiful-day-without-you |website=Playbill}}</ref>
He teaches writing and acting in the United States and Europe. He translates from English and French into Italian and he is an official translator of Theresa Rebeck, Bernard-Marie Koltès and Bryony Lavery.
Most recently he wrote and directed the short film ''The View from Up Here''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6633008/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1/|title=The View from Up Here|date=27 October 2017|via=IMDb}}</ref> (US/France, 2017) starring Melissa Leo and Leïla Bekhti, based on his eponymous play originally commissioned by The Actors Studio and directed by Estelle Parsons.
His second short film ''A Better Half'' was named Best Short of 2022 by the British Film Magazine Close-Up.
His first feature film, ''High Tide'', had its world premiere at SXSW in March 2024. It stars Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei, Tony-winner Bill Irwin, Spirit Award-winner Mya Taylor, and Brazilian star Marco Pigossi. He also produced it alongside Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon at LD Entertainment.
As of 2020, he is in a relationship<ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Victor|date=26 November 2021|title=Marco Pigossi fala, pela primeira vez, sobre namoro com diretor italiano|url=https://gay.blog.br/gay/marco-pigossi-fala-pela-primeira-vez-sobre-namoro-com-diretor-italiano-chocando-zero-pessoas/|access-date=28 November 2021|website=Gay Blog BR @gayblogbr|language=pt-br}}</ref> with Brazilian actor Marco Pigossi.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Marco Pigossi assume romance com diretor italiano: 'Chocando um total de 0 pessoas'|url=https://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/noticia/2021/11/26/marco-pigossi-assume-romance-com-diretor-italiano-chocando-um-total-de-0-pessoas.ghtml|journal=G1|access-date=26 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126161914/https://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/noticia/2021/11/26/marco-pigossi-assume-romance-com-diretor-italiano-chocando-um-total-de-0-pessoas.ghtml|archive-date=26 November 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Plays and films==
=== Theater (playwright) === * ''Before We Fall Asleep'' (2019) * ''Beautiful Day Without You'' (2018) * ''After the Dark'' (2016) * ''Maspeth'' (2016) * ''The View from Up Here'' (2016) * ''The Conference'' (2016) * ''The Second Time'' (2014) * ''I am Dracula'' (2013) * ''Bad Faith'' (2012) * ''Things of This World'' (2012) * ''Nails'' (2010) * ''Penelope in Groznyj'' (2009) * ''The City Beneath'' (2009) * ''Oil'' (2008) * ''Io che non so che fine farò'' (2008) * ''Strong Hands'' (2006) * ''Low Life'' (2005) * ''Te lo leggo negli occhi'' (2003) * ''Quasi'' (2002)
=== Theater (director) === * ''I don't know what I can save you from'' by Neil LaBute (2016) * ''Happy Hour'' by Neil LaBute (2014) * ''I am Dracula'' by Marco Calvani (2013) * ''Stockholm'' by Bryony Lavery (2013) * ''Lovely Head'' by Neil LaBute (2011) * ''Nails'' by Marco Calvani (2010) * ''Penelope in Groznyj'' by Marco Calvani (2009) * ''The city beneath'' by Marco Calvani (2009) * ''Oil'' by Marco Calvani (2008)
=== Film (actor) === * ''You, Me & Tuscany'' (2026) * ''Tode Ti'' (2013) * ''Borgia'' (2010) * ''Il Commissario Manara'' (2011) * ''Good Morning Headache'' (2008) * ''Tutto come prima'' (2008) * ''Family Game'' (2007) * ''Caravaggio'' (2007) * ''Sweet life'' (2005) * ''Manuale d'amore'' (2004) * ''Grandi domani'' (2004) * ''Sandra Kristoff'' (2003) * ''Su di me'' (2001) * ''His Secret Life'' (2001)
=== Film (writer/director) === * ''High Tide'' (2024) * ''A Better Half'' (2022) * ''The View from Up Here'' (2017)
=== Television (actor) === * ''The Four Seasons'' (miniseries) – Netflix (2025)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/the-four-seasons-marco-calvani-series-regular-netflix-tina-fey-1236029389/|date=August 5, 2024|title=''The Four Seasons'' Adds Marco Calvani as Series Regular|last=Penski|first=Denise|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 1, 2025}}</ref>
== Awards and grants== * 2025, Global Visionary Award (Upwardly Global Gala Honoree) * 2025, SeriesFest, Breakthrough Actor Award for The Four Seasons (TV series) * 2019, The Studios of Key West (Artistic Residency) * 2018, Origin Theatre Company, New York (Play commission) * 2017, 42nd Samuel French, Inc. Short Play Festival, New York - finalist with the play "The View from Up Here" * 2015, Edward F. Albee Foundation, New York (Writer Fellowship)<ref name="auto"/> * 2015, Calcante Prize for ''The Second Time'', Italy * 2013, Outstanding Playwrighting for ''Oil'', Planet Connections Theater Festivity Awards, New York<ref name="auto2"/> * 2011, Prix Marie de Paris, Cité Internationale des Arts (Artistic Residency) * 2011, SIAE Prize for Best Playwright, Italy
== Notes == {{Reflist}}
== References == * Interview with Marco Calvani, author and director of "Penelope in Groznyj" - 22.05.2012: {{cite web|url=http://www.recensito.net/pag.php?pag%3D10487 |title=Recensito.net - Cultura e Informazione al tempo di Internet |access-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020060005/http://www.recensito.net/pag.php?pag=10487 |archive-date=20 October 2014}} * ''La Repubblica'': Interview with Marco Calvani: {{Cite web|url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2013/01/30/marco-calvani.html|title=Marco Calvani - la Repubblica.it|website=Archivio - la Repubblica.it|date=30 January 2013 }} * Theater reviews - ''The New York Times'': {{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/theater/reviews/ada-plays-by-neil-labute-and-marco-calvani-at-la-mama.html|title=Two Improbable Pairs, One Technicolor Gorgon|first=Ben|last=Brantley|newspaper=The New York Times|date=5 October 2012}} * Interview - BigItalyFocus: {{Cite web|url=https://www.9colonne.it/42877/from-berlin-to-rome-calvani-tells-his-penelope-in-grozny|title=From Berlin to Rome, Calvani tells his|website=9Colonne}}
== External links == {{Portal|Biography}} *{{Official website|https://www.marcocalvani.com/}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20141220160914/http://www.mixonline.eu/ Associazione Culturale Mixò] * Dramatists Guild of America [https://archive.today/20140924045037/http://www.dramatistsguild.com/memberdirectory/getmembership.aspx?cid=38304/ Official Site]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calvani, Marco}} Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:Italian male stage actors Category:Italian theatre directors Category:LGBTQ theatre directors Category:Italian gay actors Category:Italian gay writers Category:Italian LGBTQ dramatists and playwrights Category:Gay dramatists and playwrights Category:Italian male dramatists and playwrights Category:Italian film directors Category:Italian LGBTQ film directors Category:21st-century Italian dramatists and playwrights Category:Male actors from Tuscany Category:20th-century Italian LGBTQ people Category:21st-century Italian LGBTQ people