D.J. Mendel is an actor, director, writer and filmmaker who has worked extensively with avant-garde theater-makers like Richard Foreman (The Universe, Permanent Brain Damage and Panic!), Karen Coonrod (Christmas at the Ivanov's), and Robert Cacuzza.

 

Mendel has also worked with emerging new writers, directors, and groups such as the Keen Company, 13P and 31 Down. His own one man show, Dick Done Broke, was recently presented at the Bushwick Starr Theater and he most recently starred in the European Premiere of Elizabeth ou l'equity, which played at the prestigious Theatre du Rond Point in Paris.

 

Mendel recently starred in Hal Hartley's feature film, Meanwhile. His collaborations with Hartley began in 1997 when he played a supporting role in The Book of Life opposite Martin Donovan and PJ Harvey. The following year he performed in Hartleyʼs play, Soon, commissioned by and performed at the Salzburger Festspiele in Austria and the de Singel Theater in Antwerp. Since 2000, Mendel has played roles in Hartleyʼs feature films No Such Thing (2001), The Girl from Monday (2004) and Fay Grim (2007).

 

Other film roles include: Richard Sylvarnesʼ The Cloud of Unknowing, and H.C.E (2007), both debuting at the Tribeca Film festival, and the title role in Salvatore Interlandiʼs critically acclaimed Charlie.

 

As a director, Mendel has been a long time collaborator with Cynthia Hopkins, directing her shows:  This Clement World, which premiered at St. Anns Warehouse (NYC) and Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), The Truth: A Tragedy, which premiered at Soho Rep and toured the U.S. and Europe, Accidental Nostalgia, Must Donʼt Whip ʻUm and The Success of Failure (or, The Failure of Success)— all of which were presented at St. Annʼs Warehouse in New York as well as throughout the US and Europe. Other recent credits include: Daniel Bernard Roumainʼs Symphony for the Dance Floor and Darwins Meditation for the People of Lincoln, both premiering in NY at BAMʼs Next Wave festival.

 

He has directed two feature films: Make Pretend (which he also wrote) and Planet Earth: Dreams, penned by Richard Foreman as well as many shorts, including the award winning, Crazy for The Ballet.

 

D.J. also works with singer Rosanne Cash, video designing her last three tours: Black Cadillac, The List and The River and the Thread, as well as directing several Music Videos for Ms. Cash.

 

His own plays, Tom, Dick & Harry and Dick Done Broke, were presented at The Ontological-Hysteric Theater in New York and his play Exhaust Pipes and Manifolds was produced and presented by the Ground Floor Theater Lab.

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