ABOUT MAGALY
ACTRESS.WRITER.PRODUCER.DIRECTOR.
"Acting and writing are my primary creative mediums. Acting is my pathway to continued growth, self awareness, and re-examining the complexities of human interaction. Writing allows me to be a conduit for perspectives and truths waiting to be revealed.
I write screenplays and plays from a viewpoint heavily influenced by the complexities and wonders of Haitian culture and history, family stories, as well as my experiences as a born-and-bred New Yorker.
As the Founder/Producing Artistic Director of Conch Shell Productions my mission is to be instrumental in the development, production, and showcasing of new works by Caribbean Diaspora & Caribbean writers in order to infuse American theatre and film with unique, diverse stories that inspires social change.
I received my B.A. from Columbia University, MBA from Binghamton University, and MFA in Acting from Geffen School of Drama at Yale. "
Magaly as "Antoinette Pierre" in Grand Army
"The Hunting Season" by Magaly Colimon - Planet Connection Theatre Festivity 2018 Award winner
More info available on www.conchshellproductions.com
Conch Shell Press (a division of my company - Conch Shell Productions) published a selection of new plays we produced in collaboration with Kumu Kahua Theatre and Braata Productions). The plays explored the effects of systemic racism and police abuse on people of Color. Ebook for sale on Amazon.com
"Antoinette" finds our her landlord won't give her more time to pay the rent.
(scene from "Grand Army"
OLD GLOBE THEATRE production of "Lincolnesque" by John Strand
directed by Joe Carolco
New play in development
access granted
A new multi-media play
Artist statement:
This play is a community healing play. There is no "heroine" who takes a solo journey and slays dragons. It takes a community to empower and support the birth of a "Blessed One." While migration may take our bodies away from our ancestral lands, our ability to thrive in our adopted homelands requires an acknowledgement and understanding of "our story"... our heritage. Then and only then will the blood of our ancestors running in our veins empower us to thrive in the present...and in the future.
Synopsis:
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Haitian American Marie calls upon her Haitian ancestors to help her daughter Grace free her mind from the grip of negativity, the cancel culture, and the digital world to find her way to her predestined spiritual path. Both figuratively and literally trapped by the effects of spiritual toxicity and social alienation, Grace is taken on a multidimensional journey to find her spirit's song. Can a community of ancestors help Marie guide and save her daughter?
This project was made possible by 2023 Queens Arts Fund (QAF) New Work Grant
hello cousin december 9, 2023 - 2pm
Artist statement:
This play explores long distance nationalism from a Haitian perspective as well as the impact of the political instability in Haiti on the lives of women living there in 2023.
(Loosely based on testimonials from women living in Haiti in 2023)
Synopsis:
On their 50th birthday, cousins Maryse Apollon and Gabrielle Petion find themselves at a crossroads in their lives and make a choice to make a change. Gabrielle takes an impulsive birthday trip from Port Au Prince, Haiti to Miami to clear her mind and gain some perspective. Maryse catches a last minute flight to Cap Haitien, Haiti to reconnect with inner self. They eventually meet in Miami and sparks fly for both women as they share their new views on “Haitian nationalism” and familial responsibility.
About CSP New Works Fest supporters:
Conch Shell Productions' program is supported in part by the ART/NY Small Theatre Fund made possible with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation.
HB Studio’s programs are supported in part by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and many generous supporters.
This event is CONCH SHELL PRODUCTIONS' Annual Fundraiser. If you can't attend, please support our initiative by making a tax deductible donation. Go to www.conchshellproductions.com
You are amazing and your work is like a calling. The fragmentation caused by a compulsory escape is devastating and only the truth and a spiritual awakening can provide the catalyst to heal. You and others like you are warriors in a revolution to save the next generation! Much love!
MARIE
This play was super cinematic and visceral. I can’t wait to see the finished product. The portals and fading into black..super visceral...I love the complications...I love that message that ‘home is more than one place.’ I love everything about this pLAY
JNK
No matter where you are from you are going to having questions about your heritage...I had a strong connection with Grace because I am an immigrant, and when I have kids they are going to have questions about where they come from. ...this play explores live affirming power of knowing..
H.R.
re-enacted testimonials from the people of Haiti
This series features separate standalone re-enactments of adapted/translated testimonials from people living in Haiti today. The identity of each Haitian person who contributed their stories is anonymous.
The goal is to awaken the awareness of the international community to the courage and strength of the Haitian people, and to help end the inhumane conditions of their existence. The film will feature subtitles in Dutch, English, French, Haitian Creole, Papiamentu, and Spanish (the languages spoken in the Caribbean).
In response to the daily injustice and violence in my ancestral lands, I have begun shooting rough cuts of this project and sharing them via social media as a public service. Can art affect social change? Did Picasso’s “Guernica” help raise awareness of the war and raise necessary funds? Yes. Just as the image of women and children make Guernica the image of innocent, defenseless humanity victimized, I hope this anthology will do the same for the plight of Haitians who choose to stay in their homeland.
You may wonder “Is there a war being waged in Haiti?” There is an undeclared war occurring in Haiti - a war of the wealthy ravaging the middle class and the poor. May this anthology universalize the story and the struggle of Haiti’s people to attain autonomy and liberty.
I am currently raising funds to fully produced this film as a Conch Shell Productions project.
Contact me if you would like to make a tax deductible donation to support this project.
grants & awards
