MARY BONCZEK
It's Never To Late....
I am New Jersey tough, born and raised in Newark. I am part Sicilian, Swedish and Syrian ancestry.
My passion for the stage and dance started at the age of 5, when I tap danced with the Lois Wicks Dance School. Years later I joined The Joe Ruddy School of Dance and performed with the Union Town Players Variety Shows.
Life took a different turn for me and while raising my children, I decided to go back to college, receiving my Funeral Director's License and took part in running a successful family business.
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After many years and still having the energy and passion for the performing arts, I made the decision to attend The New Jersey School of Performing Arts , where I studied theater, TV/ Film, Voice and Body Movement. During that time, I also started with the Lois Allen School of Dance, where I currently attend, taking Tap & Jazz and performing in their ensemble shows.
My 1st professional part was at New Jersey's famed Two River Theater, where I cast as an understudy for the role of "Beatrice" in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" directed by Sam Buntrock and 2 roles in Noel Coward's "Present Laughter" directed by David Lee who produced the TV show "Frasier"
Wanting to further my studies, I attended The Simon Studios in NYC. Where I studied the classics --Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams and Chekov. During that time, I had the pleasure to perform at The Arthur Saleen Theater, Roy Arias Theater, Blue Horse Rep,and the infamous Players Club. I had the pleasure to perform as one of the leads in "His Father's Son" which was performed at NYC's June Havoc Theater receiving a nomination by The Midtown International Theater Festival.
In staying close to home, my theater performances continued at The Westminster Arts Center, Luna Stages, The Loft @UCPAC, Hamilton Theater, Rosen Theater and The Brook Performing Arts Center.
The latest theater credit is performing in the classic musical "FOLLIES" at The Westfield Theater. There I was in the ensemble and understudied 2 lead roles, and was called to perform. It was a thrill to sing with a live 6 piece band.
I continue to take vocals with Khy Garner.
I had to honor to co-direct 2 productions of an original musical "They Call It Gravy, WE Call It Sauce", where I also played one of the leads and also a production coordinator for an original short play "Three's Company 2" , performed at The Hudson Guild Theater in NYC.
My energies also extend into TV/Film, where I have done over 15 student films, moving on to supporting and/ or leading roles in over 20 film productions.
My latest role was in the short "Nuthin" which received an award for "Best Short Comedy Film" from the Brightside Film Festival.
ON to TV, I have appeared in several episodes of Discovery ID, Mysteries at The Museum re-enactments, a PSA for NJ Transit and an updated version of the "Prince Spaghetti" commercial
Since I believe it's never to late in life to start new journeys, I joined Karate World, where to this day(after 26 years), I still train in modern and Traditional Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Jeff Dunn. I currently tested and passed my 5th Degree Blackbelt test. (Modern Style) I am currently in training for a 2nd degree Blackbelt in Moo Duk Kwon(traditional style) both TaeKwonDo
RECENT PROJECTS
Indie Film--"The Election", produced/ directed/- Einar Gunn
Commercial for NJ Manufacturers
Commercial for Beauty Products
Improv scenes for Police Training
RECENT THEATER
Tap/Jazz Dance Recital--Bridgewater Theater of Performing Arts
iSings--inerACT Sings Totally 80's--Burgdorff Theater
FOOTLOOSE--Burgdorff Theater
PIPPIN--Burgdorff Theater
Shakespeare's --TWELFTH NIGHT--Cranford Dramatic Club
UPCOMING PROJECTS:
Lead in a feature length musical film, "LOVE LIVES ON" 2024