The Anxiety of Digital Permanence and Independent Filmmaking
Actress, writer and producer Mary Neely first came to the world’s attention with her viral musical theater videos during the pandemic, earning praise from Lin-Manuel Miranda and Andrew Lloyd Webber, as well as being named “Best Theater of 2020” by The New York Times and The Washington Post. Since then, she has continued to act, edit, go on tour as a solo stand-up, produce showcases for comedic writers, and direct projects such as her short film Pink Trailer, which premiered at SXSW, and the TV pilot Stars Diner, which premiered at SXSW this year and won Best of Late Night at Series Fest in May. Additional credits include MGM’s Valley Girl, Sony’s Lyle Lyle Crocodile, and Netflix’s Happiness for Beginners. Mary can currently be seen opposite Subway Takes‘ Kareem Rahma in Or Something, which they also co-wrote together; the film is out now in theaters through Factory25.