We regret to report that PJ Paparelli, director and Artistic Director of American Theater Company in Chicago, died today at the age of 40 from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was on vacation in Scotland. Details of the accident are included in today’s article on BroadwayWorld.
Paparelli established his theatrical roots here in Washington and returned to Shakespeare Theatre Company in 2012, where he once served as Associate Artistic Director. He came to direct Two Gentlemen of Verona. His vision into those two young men were inspired, as he told Tim Treanor, by the young people he interviewed about the tragedy at Columbine High School. His play columbinus, co-authored with Stephen Karam came out of that experience. columbinus premiered at Round House Theatre in 2005.
Our interview from 2012: The Life and Times of PJ Paparelli
Our condolences to all of his family, friends and associates. We are planning a tribute. If you would like to take part in the article, email us here.
A Poem For PJ…
Over the years we’ve met in many a cafe to discuss The Project(s).
You were motivated by my passion for writing so much about the subject.
We laughed and shared stories of childhood commonalities,
Though you were from Scranton and I am from Chicago, which are two totally different galaxies.
You were very focused with your interviewing technique and you really wanted to know why I chose to write so prolifically,
About Cabrini Green and who I was dedicating my story to so you could convey the feeling specifically.
Together we poured over so many poems
Then you asked me which one I liked the most,
You told me that you really enjoyed ‘Ghetto Teachers…I Will Remember You’ so with those words in mind that is what I will post:
I will always remember your thoughtfulness and kindness,
I will remember your creativeness.
Your open mindedness.
Your foresight,
Your insight.
Your sense of humor.
I will always remember when you met my teenaged son and asked what his goals were and tried to get him a mentor.
I will always remember the way you spoke about meeting the
dance troupe from Washington, DC.
You were enlightened and fascinated.
I will remember the food drive you started for patrons of the play to bring can goods to help support St Matthews food pantry in Cabrini.
I will always remember how you stopped in the park to pitch a tent for the members of a Cabrini Green reunion.
I will always remember seeing the intense Project(s) rehearsal.
I will always remember how you approached the residents of Cabrini with such humility and not like inanimate objects.
I will always remember the way you looked on the opening night of The Project(s).
I will always remember you, PJ.
Doreen Ambrose-Van Lee
The ‘Poet’ in ‘The Project(s)