Reviews and Articles
Director, Carrie the Musical, Butte College, Oroville, California (2019)
Press Release
Unique Musical Opens College Theatre Season - Chico Enterprise Record
Playbill
There Will Be (Pig's) Blood - Chico New & Review
CARRIE trailer - YouTube
Director, Summertime / Wintertime, Butte College, Oroville, California (2019)
Press Release
Less Talk, More Love - Butte students elevate Mee's Summertime - Chico New & Review
Dual Plays Explore Love with Comedic Chaos - Chico Enterprise Record
Summertime / Wintertime Trailer - YouTube
Director, Side Show the Musical, Butte College, Oroville, California (2018)
Press Release
Side Show - A Romantic Carnival - Chico Enterprise Record
We're All Freaks - Chico News & Review
NPR - NSPR - Side Show Musical at Butte College
Side Show Trailer - YouTube
Director, Much Ado About Nothing, Butte College, Oroville, California (2018)
Press Release
Shakespeare Comedy at Butte College - Chico Enterprise Record
NPR - NSPR - Weekend Showcase - Shakespeare Gets Groovy
Much Ado About Nothing Trailer - YouTube
Director, Urinetown the Musical, Butte College, Oroville, California (2017)
Press Release
Broadway World
Butte College's Musical is comically relevant to drought - Chico Enterprise Record
It's a Privilege to Pee - Chico News & Review
NPR - NSPR - Butte College presents Urinetown
Urinetown Trailer - YouTube
Director, Big Love, Butte College, Oroville, California (2017)
Press Release
Big Love - Do Ancient Demands on Women Still Apply Today? - Chico Enterprise Record
NPR - NSPR - Butte College Presents Big Love
Big Love Trailer - YouTube
Director, Spring Awakening, Butte College, Oroville, California (2016)
Press Release
Youth Learn Lessons in Spring Awakening - Chico Enterprise Record
NPR - NSPR - Spring Awakening
Spring Awakening Trailer - YouTube
Butte College Has a New Drama Director - Chico Enterprise Record (2016)
Director, RENT the Musical, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon (2013)
Mt. Hood Community College presents the Musical RENT - The Oregonian
Seasons of Love - Sandy Post
Producer, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon (2013)
The Advocate
Director, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon (2012)
Seasoned Veteran Brings His Many Talents to the Performing Arts Department - The Advocate
Director, Intimate Apparel, Bonstelle Theatre Company, Detroit, Michigan (2012)
TV commercial
Detroit Examiner
Sue's Vue
Derell Interview
Director and DP, Rebornation, short film, CGRep Pictures (2011)
http://vimeo.com/27088801
Director, Charlotte's Web, Hilberry Repertory Theatre, Detroit, Michigan (2011)
Detroit Examiner
Detroit Examiner Production Pics
Times-Herald Newspapers
Director, The Misanthrope, Hilberry Repertory Theatre, Detroit, Michigan (2011)
Detroit News
Dearborn Times-Herald
New Monitor
Detroit Examiner
The South End News
The Rogue Critic
The Rogue Critic nominations
Director, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit, Michigan (2010)
Detroit Examiner
Dearborn Times-Herald
Pics and Video
Cast member blog and more pictures
Director, Epiphany, Tipping Point Theatre / Sandbox Theatre Festival, Northville, Michigan (2010)
with Equity actors BJ Love and Diane Hill
Rogue Critic ("a humorously laid-back conversation about settling and age")
Encore Michigan
Director, The Comedy of Errors, Bonstelle Theatre; Detroit, Michigan (2010)
Detroit Examiner
The South End News
Downriver Sunday Times
Director, The Fantasticks, Hilberry Repertory Theatre; Detroit, Michigan (2009)
Detroit Examiner
New Monitor
Encore Michigan
Downriver Sunday Times
The South End News (dead link)
Actor/Co-Producer, The Laramie Project Epilogue, 10 Years Later, Hilberry Repertory Theatre; Detroit, Michigan(2009)
Wordpress
Encore Michigan
Actor, Measure for Measure, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA (2008)
UC Davis Dateline
Flicker Pictures
The Davis Enterprise
Producer, The Gospel According to Tammy Faye, Manhattan Theatre Club Studio, NYC (2007)
Broadway World
Playbill.com
Actor, Urinetown, University of California, Davis; Davis, CA (2007)
The Davis Enterprise
Director, Les Miserables: School Edition, Longview Stageworks / Columbia Theatre (2003)The Daily News Review ("Tears rolled down cheeks. Fists clenched over heads. The crowd cheered the French revolutionaries. They cried when Eponine died. It was everything a good soap opera should be, but isn't.")
The Daily News Preview
Producer, The Laramie Project, Longview Stageworks, WA (2003)
The Daily News Preview
The Daily News article from 2008 ("And of all the plays I’ve seen in Longview, the 2003 production of “The Laramie Project” by Longview Stageworks was the most powerful."
The Daily News Letter to the Editor
The Daily News Article
Actor, Forever Plaid, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2003)
The Clatskanie Chief ("Although this is Jesse Merz' last performance with Stageworks, this writer believes it is his best. He delivers a highly animated and spirited performance.")
The Daily News Preview
Actor, Bye Bye Birdie, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2002)
The Daily News Preview
Director, The Foreigner, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2002)
The Daily News Preview
Director, A Christmas Carol, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2001)
The Daily News Preview
Director, On Golden Pond, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2001)
The Daily News Preview
The Daily News Review ("Sometimes hilarious, sometimes deeply moving, "On Golden Pond" is a gently directed and smoothly acted jewel in the Longview Stageworks crown."
Producer, Nunsense, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2001)
The Daily News Preview
The Daily News Review ("This show is so funny, it's bound to sell out quickly.")
Director & Actor, The Glass Menagerie, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2001)
The Clatskanie Chief ("Merz shines with talent and easy stage presence. This seasoned actor's performance is the icing on the cake of a real tasty evening's entertainment.")
Director, The Gin Game, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2000)
The Clatskanie Chief ("Laced with humor and sometimes violent outbursts, this play is a thought provoking look at what may be a more common plight of the aged than most of us realize... Four big aces goes to Jesse Merz, the cast, and production staff.")
Director, Sylvia, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2000)
The Clatskanie Chief ("The laughs begin almost immediately and last throughout the whole performance."
The Daily News
The Columbian ("CLEVER 'SYLVIA' WELL WORTH THE DRIVE")
Press Release
Unique Musical Opens College Theatre Season - Chico Enterprise Record
Playbill
There Will Be (Pig's) Blood - Chico New & Review
CARRIE trailer - YouTube
Director, Summertime / Wintertime, Butte College, Oroville, California (2019)
Press Release
Less Talk, More Love - Butte students elevate Mee's Summertime - Chico New & Review
Dual Plays Explore Love with Comedic Chaos - Chico Enterprise Record
Summertime / Wintertime Trailer - YouTube
Director, Side Show the Musical, Butte College, Oroville, California (2018)
Press Release
Side Show - A Romantic Carnival - Chico Enterprise Record
We're All Freaks - Chico News & Review
NPR - NSPR - Side Show Musical at Butte College
Side Show Trailer - YouTube
Director, Much Ado About Nothing, Butte College, Oroville, California (2018)
Press Release
Shakespeare Comedy at Butte College - Chico Enterprise Record
NPR - NSPR - Weekend Showcase - Shakespeare Gets Groovy
Much Ado About Nothing Trailer - YouTube
Director, Urinetown the Musical, Butte College, Oroville, California (2017)
Press Release
Broadway World
Butte College's Musical is comically relevant to drought - Chico Enterprise Record
It's a Privilege to Pee - Chico News & Review
NPR - NSPR - Butte College presents Urinetown
Urinetown Trailer - YouTube
Director, Big Love, Butte College, Oroville, California (2017)
Press Release
Big Love - Do Ancient Demands on Women Still Apply Today? - Chico Enterprise Record
NPR - NSPR - Butte College Presents Big Love
Big Love Trailer - YouTube
Director, Spring Awakening, Butte College, Oroville, California (2016)
Press Release
Youth Learn Lessons in Spring Awakening - Chico Enterprise Record
NPR - NSPR - Spring Awakening
Spring Awakening Trailer - YouTube
Butte College Has a New Drama Director - Chico Enterprise Record (2016)
Director, RENT the Musical, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon (2013)
Mt. Hood Community College presents the Musical RENT - The Oregonian
Seasons of Love - Sandy Post
Producer, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon (2013)
The Advocate
Director, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon (2012)
Seasoned Veteran Brings His Many Talents to the Performing Arts Department - The Advocate
Director, Intimate Apparel, Bonstelle Theatre Company, Detroit, Michigan (2012)
TV commercial
Detroit Examiner
Sue's Vue
Derell Interview
Director and DP, Rebornation, short film, CGRep Pictures (2011)
http://vimeo.com/27088801
Director, Charlotte's Web, Hilberry Repertory Theatre, Detroit, Michigan (2011)
Detroit Examiner
Detroit Examiner Production Pics
Times-Herald Newspapers
Director, The Misanthrope, Hilberry Repertory Theatre, Detroit, Michigan (2011)
Detroit News
Dearborn Times-Herald
New Monitor
Detroit Examiner
The South End News
The Rogue Critic
The Rogue Critic nominations
Director, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit, Michigan (2010)
Detroit Examiner
Dearborn Times-Herald
Pics and Video
Cast member blog and more pictures
Director, Epiphany, Tipping Point Theatre / Sandbox Theatre Festival, Northville, Michigan (2010)
with Equity actors BJ Love and Diane Hill
Rogue Critic ("a humorously laid-back conversation about settling and age")
Encore Michigan
Director, The Comedy of Errors, Bonstelle Theatre; Detroit, Michigan (2010)
Detroit Examiner
The South End News
Downriver Sunday Times
Director, The Fantasticks, Hilberry Repertory Theatre; Detroit, Michigan (2009)
Detroit Examiner
New Monitor
Encore Michigan
Downriver Sunday Times
The South End News (dead link)
Actor/Co-Producer, The Laramie Project Epilogue, 10 Years Later, Hilberry Repertory Theatre; Detroit, Michigan(2009)
Wordpress
Encore Michigan
Actor, Measure for Measure, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA (2008)
UC Davis Dateline
Flicker Pictures
The Davis Enterprise
Producer, The Gospel According to Tammy Faye, Manhattan Theatre Club Studio, NYC (2007)
Broadway World
Playbill.com
Actor, Urinetown, University of California, Davis; Davis, CA (2007)
The Davis Enterprise
Director, Les Miserables: School Edition, Longview Stageworks / Columbia Theatre (2003)The Daily News Review ("Tears rolled down cheeks. Fists clenched over heads. The crowd cheered the French revolutionaries. They cried when Eponine died. It was everything a good soap opera should be, but isn't.")
The Daily News Preview
Producer, The Laramie Project, Longview Stageworks, WA (2003)
The Daily News Preview
The Daily News article from 2008 ("And of all the plays I’ve seen in Longview, the 2003 production of “The Laramie Project” by Longview Stageworks was the most powerful."
The Daily News Letter to the Editor
The Daily News Article
Actor, Forever Plaid, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2003)
The Clatskanie Chief ("Although this is Jesse Merz' last performance with Stageworks, this writer believes it is his best. He delivers a highly animated and spirited performance.")
The Daily News Preview
Actor, Bye Bye Birdie, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2002)
The Daily News Preview
Director, The Foreigner, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2002)
The Daily News Preview
Director, A Christmas Carol, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2001)
The Daily News Preview
Director, On Golden Pond, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2001)
The Daily News Preview
The Daily News Review ("Sometimes hilarious, sometimes deeply moving, "On Golden Pond" is a gently directed and smoothly acted jewel in the Longview Stageworks crown."
Producer, Nunsense, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2001)
The Daily News Preview
The Daily News Review ("This show is so funny, it's bound to sell out quickly.")
Director & Actor, The Glass Menagerie, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2001)
The Clatskanie Chief ("Merz shines with talent and easy stage presence. This seasoned actor's performance is the icing on the cake of a real tasty evening's entertainment.")
Director, The Gin Game, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2000)
The Clatskanie Chief ("Laced with humor and sometimes violent outbursts, this play is a thought provoking look at what may be a more common plight of the aged than most of us realize... Four big aces goes to Jesse Merz, the cast, and production staff.")
Director, Sylvia, Longview Stageworks; Longview, WA (2000)
The Clatskanie Chief ("The laughs begin almost immediately and last throughout the whole performance."
The Daily News
The Columbian ("CLEVER 'SYLVIA' WELL WORTH THE DRIVE")