- When did you first discover theater/what was your first experience?
My first experience with theater was exclusively watching the pro shot recording of CATS when I was a little kid. I had absolutely no interest in theater at the time, but I couldn’t get enough of that pro shot. It got to the point I had a CATS themed birthday party for my 4th birthday. I still don’t know what to do with that information.
- When/how did you become a writer? Is there a writer, show, or text that particularly inspired you?
When I was younger I’d sometimes write song lyrics and would rap by myself. I didn’t know why I wrote and didn’t care why, but in hindsight I think it all came back to self-expression which is something I struggled with as a child. I didn’t write for long and I didn’t have an interest in being a writer. However, I always seemed to hold writers in high regard, whether it was through reading quotes from Greek philosophers or listening to audiobooks that would make my favorite stories come alive. Even when my family went to church, I would listen to our pastor discuss writers of this sacred text with such high esteem. I suppose deep down I’ve also wanted to feel respected and helpful, and feel like I was contributing to the human experience in some way.
I rediscovered writing several years after I and my community endured the tragedy of a school shooting. After processing that event, I decided I wanted to write about it. That idea turned into my first musical, YOU GO ON, and the experience of writing that show was like nothing I had ever done or felt before. I wanted to keep doing writing and explore other topics, which leads me to where I am today.
- How do you describe your style/work?
I attempt to be versatile and original, while still holding on to some well-researched ideas on creating live theater. I’m a byproduct of my parents and growing up with Spotify. Since I have that tool in my back pocket I tend to try to keep making songs and ideas that I haven’t made before, but mesh it with the concepts of live theater that I think work well: ie. songs that push plot forward, help develop character, etc.
- What is most rewarding to you about writing music?
For me, this question has been an evolving conversation. Currently, it’s because there’s something about me deciding I’ve something to say. However I’ve had previous answers that were very different, so my opinion on this keeps changing. What I think my real answer is, is that writing and finishing music seems to fill every crack of insecurity that I have and reinforces who I am and want to be at whatever stage of life I’m in. It seems to make me stronger.