Mary Tomei (she/her) is a New York-based theater director with a passion for new work development and experience supporting productions at every stage - from initial script conversations and workshops to full premiere productions. Most recently, she served as the Writer's Assistant on the world premiere of STARSTRUCK, a new musical by Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls), Beth Malone, and Mary Ann Stratton at Bucks County Playhouse.

Her recent directing credits include Slap Ass Friday, which debuted at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this past June and was described by The Hollywood Reporter as “bracingly anatomical”, and The Angel Makers, which premiered at The Connelly as part of the SheNYC Arts Summer Theater Festival, winning Best Production of a Musical, Best Score, and Best Leading Actor (Holly Hinchliffe for her performance as Suzannah). Mary has had the privilege of supporting new work through workshops with the Dramatists Guild Foundation, NAMT's Annual Festival of New Musicals, Out of the Box Theatrics, and Rhinebeck Writer’s Retreat. 

Mary received her B.A. in Theater from Northwestern University, where she directed the 78th Annual Dolphin Show, the largest student-run musical in the country, and was the Artistic Director of Purple Crayon Players, a nationally acclaimed Theater for Young Audiences organization. She continues her work with young people each summer at Ghostlight Theater camp, most recently directing productions of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods and Rick Elice’s Peter and the Starcatcher.

Mary is interested in creating accessible theater that challenges all audiences, primarily through new work and musical storytelling with a particular focus on unapologetically feminist and queer stories. She is dedicated to empowering her collaborators and fostering artistic community that invites people to show up with the fullness of their identity. Her direction is strongest when every voice shapes the work.