Review Fix Exclusive: Mary Elizabeth Micari Talks About Her New Studio in Brooklyn

Review Fix chats with Mary Elizabeth Micari, who discusses the the opening of our her The M Center for Arts & Wellness in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. One of the only centers for those interested in music and theatre to get their start, The M Center for Arts & Wellness fills a much-needed void in Brooklyn.

Review Fix: When and why did you decide to open a studio in Brooklyn?

Mary Elizabeth Micari: I originally opened a studio in my home in Brooklyn about seven years ago, but had been also teaching in Astoria, Queens,and in Manhattan for at least seven years before that. I opened the M Center Studio out of my home on 83rd Street and 5th to house not only my burgeoning vocal studio, but also to add other types of music lessons including guitar, piano and wind instruments. I also wanted to offer play writing and acting courses. I felt there was a strong need in the neighborhood for what I and Genesis could offer.  There is little art or next to no theater instruction in the area of Bay Ridge and its neighbors.  

Review Fix: What are your goals with it?

Micari: Genesis Repertory, our theatrical company, is the nonprofit sponsor for the M Center. Now they both serve as arts & education organizations dedicated to providing accessibility to artist and audience.  We bring art instruction to those less fortunate or seeking a better arts education, and those here who are hungry for a chance to learn in a safe and supportive environment. I also aim to combine not only the performing arts, which are known to provide healing for many with the healing arts. I use both sides of this coin in all my work in the studio. 

Review Fix: What are some of the things standing in your way from accomplishing those goals?

Micari: Money. We need financial help. I’d very much like to begin to offer scholarships to under privileged children and adults.  

Review Fix: How would you describe the Brooklyn theatre scene?

Micari: There are some really good community based non-professional theaters out here but not many.  We hope to provide the next level … professional training. Brooklyn is growing as an artistic entity, in neighborhoods like Downtown and Greenpoint but not out here in Bay Ridge.  Many think that there is NO art south of Park Slope. 

Review Fix: How can your studio bolster and change those conceptions?

Micari: There is art here, artists of all types.  We are here to teach what we know to those that seek it, provide ways for our students to work in their chosen art, mentor those that ask for and need it and begin to shine a light on the un-tapped talent here and in other parts of Brooklyn. One of my students said that we are invisible.  Not any longer. 

Review Fix: In a perfect world, how would you think the studio to be looked at?

Micari: As a safe haven for those looking for expression in art, music and singing as well as a place for the community to come for healing and exploring other types of though and healing work than they might have thus far.  I would like to see singers planting herb gardens and herbalists taking guitar lessons, Tarot Card reading guitar players and healers learning to draw. I’d like to see children here learning that not only are they special but that they are exceptional.  I’d like to see art and healing pull together diverse ethnic groups and shine the light of joy upon all.

That is a perfect world to me. 

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13818 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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