Our newest Stick Of The Week! is Katie Rosa Marchese. Katie is in the NOW as director of Mario The Magician, a performer for the young and the young-at-heart. Part retro, part rock and roll, Mario is an artist and inventor who creates his own props. Mario's old world looks and physical comedy style are reminiscent of his heroes, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, but he puts a thoroughly modern spin on everything he does. Mario currently performs twice monthly at NYC's Metropolitan Room.
Gigi, Mario and Katie (photo by Dennis Kleiman) Of course behind every great Magician, is an incredibly magical woman. Katie Rosa Marchese is not only a wife and a mother but a mamapreneur that turns dreams into reality.
"I left the Midwest just after turning 16 years old, but the Midwest has never left me. I dream big city dreams but love my small town community. I gave birth to my daughter at home, and it was the best experience of my life."
"I left the Midwest just after turning 16 years old, but the Midwest has never left me. I dream big city dreams but love my small town community. I gave birth to my daughter at home, and it was the best experience of my life."
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall).
Seven years ago, my husband and I quit our day jobs, (he was a teachers’ assistant and I was an administrative assistant in the city) to pursue a decidedly more bohemian life and to elevate his weekend gig as a magician to the main role it deserved. Mario’s talent was raw and undeniable, and I couldn’t imagine him not living that out in its fullest. He had been working with an agency to book those weekend parties, and I just knew I could do what they were doing (and not half to give away half of our earnings.) I took the reigns in marketing “Mario the Magician,” and built our public image through a solid web presence, good relationships with press outlets, collaborations with great organizations and other creative people, and by nurturing ideal opportunities to showcase Mario’s show. I didn’t want him to have to think about anything but his own creative process. The first few months were scary. We weren’t always sure if we’d make rent back then, but somehow we pulled through every month. And each month was a little easier than the last.
Seven years ago, my husband and I quit our day jobs, (he was a teachers’ assistant and I was an administrative assistant in the city) to pursue a decidedly more bohemian life and to elevate his weekend gig as a magician to the main role it deserved. Mario’s talent was raw and undeniable, and I couldn’t imagine him not living that out in its fullest. He had been working with an agency to book those weekend parties, and I just knew I could do what they were doing (and not half to give away half of our earnings.) I took the reigns in marketing “Mario the Magician,” and built our public image through a solid web presence, good relationships with press outlets, collaborations with great organizations and other creative people, and by nurturing ideal opportunities to showcase Mario’s show. I didn’t want him to have to think about anything but his own creative process. The first few months were scary. We weren’t always sure if we’d make rent back then, but somehow we pulled through every month. And each month was a little easier than the last.
Mario The Magician (photo by Rachel Hudgins)
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
Right now, I’d say we’re at a rolling boil that will hopefully maintain itself for a long, long time. Mario is often booked solid a few months out these days, and we’ve been fortunate to have ongoing relationships with incredible creative organizations like Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Room. It feels good to have our hard work, and Mario’s amazing talent, appreciated. I am busier than ever juggling all of the marketing and PR, press opportunities, and a very busy performance schedule. Also, a year and a half ago, Mario and I had our first child, Gigi Antoinette. I realize now that I never truly knew “busy” until becoming a mom. But it’s a “busy” that I wouldn’t trade for anything. It’s not always easy, but whose life is?
Right now, I’d say we’re at a rolling boil that will hopefully maintain itself for a long, long time. Mario is often booked solid a few months out these days, and we’ve been fortunate to have ongoing relationships with incredible creative organizations like Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Room. It feels good to have our hard work, and Mario’s amazing talent, appreciated. I am busier than ever juggling all of the marketing and PR, press opportunities, and a very busy performance schedule. Also, a year and a half ago, Mario and I had our first child, Gigi Antoinette. I realize now that I never truly knew “busy” until becoming a mom. But it’s a “busy” that I wouldn’t trade for anything. It’s not always easy, but whose life is?
Katie and Gigi
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Be true to yourself; trust your instincts. Learn to say “no thanks” when a proposition doesn’t sound right. Be selective and mold your creative outlet in the way that it’s meant to be.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
For me, all of those years ago, throwing the noodle was both an escape and a new beginning. It was an escape from a corporate life that never suited me well, and it was the start of a journey of building and togetherness with Mario that felt perfect and right. Mario and I were young, fearless, and full of a healthy dose of nonconformity. I hope that never fades.
Be true to yourself; trust your instincts. Learn to say “no thanks” when a proposition doesn’t sound right. Be selective and mold your creative outlet in the way that it’s meant to be.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
For me, all of those years ago, throwing the noodle was both an escape and a new beginning. It was an escape from a corporate life that never suited me well, and it was the start of a journey of building and togetherness with Mario that felt perfect and right. Mario and I were young, fearless, and full of a healthy dose of nonconformity. I hope that never fades.
Mario The Magician (photo by Dennis Kleiman)
Mario with Mozzarella the Dove (Photo by Ken Goodman)
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I am constantly blown away by motherhood itself – what a journey! What a transformation! I look at my own parents, and I’m just so grateful that they gave me the freedom to have amazing experiences in life and to learn my own lessons when lessons needed to be learned. They are proud and supportive, and they give me the confidence to continue on our creative path. My daughter inspires me to be the best mom I can be and to never let creativity die. I want her to know that she doesn’t have to settle in life, and that with hard work, anything is possible.
I am constantly blown away by motherhood itself – what a journey! What a transformation! I look at my own parents, and I’m just so grateful that they gave me the freedom to have amazing experiences in life and to learn my own lessons when lessons needed to be learned. They are proud and supportive, and they give me the confidence to continue on our creative path. My daughter inspires me to be the best mom I can be and to never let creativity die. I want her to know that she doesn’t have to settle in life, and that with hard work, anything is possible.
Gigi
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Gigi
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How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
I wish I could say I balance it all gracefully… my juggling act is still pretty wobbly at times! Our house is never spotless, and I often rock the bedhead look, but that’s okay with me. I’m fortunate to have amazing childcare for my daughter, including lots of grandparent love. I always make sure to have at least two full days each week to spend away from work with Gigi. As our business continues to grow, we’re considering hiring an assistant to help with some of my more time-consuming tasks.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
A big family… traveling circus! Just kidding. Maybe.
I wish I could say I balance it all gracefully… my juggling act is still pretty wobbly at times! Our house is never spotless, and I often rock the bedhead look, but that’s okay with me. I’m fortunate to have amazing childcare for my daughter, including lots of grandparent love. I always make sure to have at least two full days each week to spend away from work with Gigi. As our business continues to grow, we’re considering hiring an assistant to help with some of my more time-consuming tasks.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
A big family… traveling circus! Just kidding. Maybe.
Mario The Magician (Photo by Dennis Kleiman)
Mario The Magician can be found on FACEBOOK • TWITTER • YOUTUBE
Check out Mario live at Metropolitan Room: marioandhissuitcasemachine.com
Check out Mario live at Metropolitan Room: marioandhissuitcasemachine.com
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