Where is your home neighborhood?
Carnegie, PA
What do you do during the day?
These days? I'm spending a lot of time strumming my ukulele, baking, talking to my dogs, writing songs, and doing puzzles.
We would love to hear a brief history with Stage 62 and/or your local theater/creative work.
I was in my first Stage 62 show in 1994, and have been active in the group most years ever since then. I have also performed with Front Porch Theatricals in Pittsburgh. I wrote, executive produced, and released my first children's album, "A High Brow Affair," in November 2019, which won a Parents' Choice Award!
We remember that you composed a special song for the Moon to sing in last year's Goodnight Moon: The Magical Musical, too!
We remember that you composed a special song for the Moon to sing in last year's Goodnight Moon: The Magical Musical, too!
What do you do as a creator?
For me, creating happens in different phases:
- Sometimes I'm actively writing songs. During those times, I wake up with my coffee and computer in hand, working on lyrics, strumming my ukulele or going over to my piano.
- Sometimes, I'm practicing my instruments. During those times, while I'm not actively writing music, I practice playing my own songs or I just play whatever I feel like playing, because I want to continue to improve my skills as a musician. And...
- Sometimes I'm doing NOTHING but relaxing and recharging my batteries. Anytime you pursue a career in the arts, it's important to take time off. Time off allows you to rest, explore other interests, and learn more about yourself. After some good time off, I always come back with new inspiration, and lots of energy to get back to work.
What do you think makes a really good story? What do you think makes a really good song?
A really good story, is one that has relatability to real life. Even if that story takes place in a magic land or outer space... If the characters and the situation is something everyone can relate to, it's going to be a story that is worth telling. A really good song? I always love a song with a catchy tune AND clever lyrics. If you take one of those two things away, it's not going to be a song I want to listen to over and over.
What about these stories made you want to make something new with them?
It can be so fun to take an old story and add your own spin to it. It's also a really great way to get yourself creating when you're in a bit of a rut. Folk tales are tried and true stories... If they weren't good stories, they wouldn't have been told over and over and over and over and over again! When you work with a folk tale, you already know the foundation of the story is good... You just get to have fun with the who, the why, the what, and the how!
Which character do you most relate to?
I relate most to Dog. Dog didn't want to help Hen because he was busy chasing his tail. I know what it's like to be so distracted by doing something I enjoy, that I pass up opportunities for things that seem like too much work. But here's the thing about that—sometimes those things that seem like too much work, actually turn out to be more fun than you ever imagined.
What recommendations do you have for someone who wants to be a writer/musician/lyricist when they grow up?
Start creating NOW. Grab a pencil and paper or open up your computer, and get started. Creating is a free activity, and it's so rewarding. If you want to be a songwriter, start learning some kind of instrument—ukulele, piano, guitar, trombone—whatever interests you. Oh, and don't care what other people think about what you create. Create things that are true to who YOU are. The world needs YOUR voice, YOUR stories, YOUR gifts... What are you waiting for?
Is there anyone you'd like to say thank you to for making these happen?
The whole production crew is responsible for what we've created for you to enjoy. The songs are just a part of the whole picture. I'm just glad that I was asked to be a part of an incredible team. So, THANK YOU TEAM!
