Recent Reviews & Articles:

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
The South End News

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

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")

Pictures below from Measure for Measure

University of California, Davis, 2008