Article by Jake Mendel
Utopia for Losers’ upcoming production of María Irene Fornés’ “MUD” promises a raw and unflinching exploration of human struggles, and at its heart are three dedicated actors: Chloe Margot as Mae, Brian Beckerle as Lloyd, and Aiden Castillo as Henry. Under the direction of Dylan Pitanza, these performers bring to life the complex dynamics of escape, aspiration, and the messy realities of connection within a world shaped by poverty and unhealed trauma.
Chloe Margot: Embodying Mae’s Fierce Resolve
Chloe Margot takes on the pivotal role of Mae, the woman at the center of “MUD” who is fiercely determined to transcend her “dirty, base, and unrespectable” life. For Margot, portraying Mae has been a profoundly affecting experience. She describes Fornés’ writing as “visceral and exploded, while being so deeply truthful to the experience of loving.” The play’s often “crazier” moments, she notes, paradoxically make it feel more real and universal, pushing her to confront her own “messiness” and the entrapment of reality within the chaos of love, trauma, and power.
Margot highlights the play’s contemporary relevance, particularly in its unflinching look at how “power is corrupted and how unhealed people come to control pure and honest thought.” She sees this as a direct mirror to a society where the realities of poverty are often “suppressed and silenced under the noise of perfectionist media.” Mae’s unwavering determination to love and create a better life, despite a world that seeks to keep her “stagnant and stuck,” deeply resonates with Margot.
This production has been transformative for Margot, shaping her understanding of the kind of artistic work she wants to pursue: “brutally honest, deeply felt and collaborative.” She credits the “wonderful group of artists with such big hearts” for her growth as an actor, emphasizing the importance of community and the collaborative effort where “everyone’s blood and heart” is invested. Through exploring Mae’s vulnerabilities, and her own, Margot has learned to be more honest in her expression and gain empowerment, particularly regarding “dynamics of womanhood and how I have given my power away to countless men because of my conditioning.” She aims for the audience to “embrace the deep realism of this play even though it feels so crazy and dark on the surface,” to find “the beauty and pain of every character,” and to look beyond the superficial “dirt” of their lives. For Margot, the immediate future is about continuing to create and act in projects as meaningful as “MUD,” driven by the inspiration this play has provided.
Brian Beckerle: Navigating Lloyd’s Limited World with Empathy
Brian Beckerle, a recent graduate of Pace University with a BFA in Acting for Film, Television, Voiceover, Commercials, steps into the role of Lloyd. While acknowledging the often “depressing” nature of the play’s themes, Beckerle expresses immense gratitude for the opportunity. He views knowledge as a precious privilege often taken for granted, and working on “MUD” has forced him to seriously consider the experience of someone with a “limited understanding of the world.” This realization has led him to approach Lloyd with the “utmost care and empathy,” recognizing the vulnerability inherent in such a character.
Beckerle reveals a personal artistic growth through this production. He admits to a past comfort in “playing big characters to hide behind,” but with Lloyd, he has discovered how to be “open as this person because the material calls for it.” This process has been about grounding himself and making Lloyd’s challenging circumstances feel real.
His hope for the audience is that the show “sticks with them for a little while,” urging them not to dismiss it as soon as they leave the theater. He desires for them to “spend time with it and consider what it means to them,” inviting individual interpretations rather than prescribing specific conclusions. Following the intense experience of “MUD,” Beckerle looks forward to some well-deserved “R&R to recover from the past few months of doing this show!”
Aiden Castillo: Exploring Henry’s Role in a World of Struggle
Aiden Castillo, an actor and director entering his senior year at Fordham University’s theatre program, plays Henry. Castillo’s connection to “MUD” is unique, as this marks his second time working with the play. Even after a previous production, he found himself with “so many unanswered questions,” a testament to the play’s enduring depth. He observes that while the issues within “MUD” are constant in the world, their weight shifts over time. In this current iteration, the play has particularly highlighted “the loneliness that comes with struggle and hard it is to pull yourself from that struggle.”
Castillo’s involvement with Utopia for Losers stems from his desire to surround himself with artists “hungry to tell stories that aren’t as common in the mainstream artistic world.” He praises the company, stating that working with them has brought out a “higher level of joy” in his craft. He emphasizes the importance of mutual support within the company, where “the level of truth Dylan and the entire crew of Utopia For Losers brings, both in the work and with each other, allowed me to relax in the hard times, take a breath, and have a good time even in my own personal struggles.”
Rather than a specific takeaway, Castillo’s hope for the audience is centered on their experience during the performance. The team has focused intensely on “connection, pacing and rhythm,” aiming to “surround the audience with this world we’ve created and hold their attention fully for the short amount of time we have with them.” After “MUD” closes, Castillo will shift his focus to finishing his final two directing pieces at Fordham University and continuing his work in the realm of “youth-led experimental art,” demonstrating his ongoing commitment to innovative storytelling.
Together, Chloe Margot, Brian Beckerle, and Aiden Castillo form the compelling core of “MUD,” each bringing their unique insights and dedication to María Irene Fornés’ powerful drama. Their collective talent promises to deliver a performance that is both challenging and deeply resonant, inviting audiences to confront uncomfortable truths and reflect on the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
ARTIUM: OMNI 