Most of my life, I’ve always wondered:
What if I follow my dream
to be an artist?
I grew up singing all the time in Gibson City, a small town in rural central Illinois, pop. 3,600. My high school class had 50 people. Thankfully, we were just a thirty-minute drive from the University of Illinois and Illinois State University where we could see plays, concerts, etc.
I loved musical theatre, sang in church choir, and was cast in the musicals in school and community shows often as a lead or supporting role. Yet, a combination of fear and practical Midwestern values, that hardwire financial security above anything else, I chose not to pursue the arts. I graduated with a B.S. in Speech Communications/Public Relations, developed a successful career in Indianapolis, eventually starting my own consulting practice, and sang in church choir and Indianapolis Opera Chorus when time allowed.
I worked hard for many years and I’m proud of the things I accomplished as a business professional.
… but that little voice in inside me was relentless:
“What if?…What if I had the courage to be who I know I’m meant to be?”
One step at a time…
After a series of personal and professional setbacks, I craved my inner creative voice more than ever and began to explore my own unique singing voice outside blending in a choir.
I started producing my own cabaret shows in 2012. I met Faith Prince and other amazing mentors at the Yale Cabaret workshop that year. Faith coached me through several other self-produced shows, including, “This Is U.S.: We Hold These Tunes to Be Self-Evident” which she directed with M.D. Alex Rybeck. After taking that show to St. Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago and 54 Below in NYC in October 2017, I was hooked. No looking back.
In 2018, I gave up all other work, and moved to NYC full-time to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre and become a full-time actor/performer. While it’s been daunting to start a brand new career from scratch later in life, I’ve never been happier and more fully, authentically who I am meant to be.
I love playing misunderstood, under-estimated fighters with guarded vulnerability.
I’m the …
Prosecutor who has a penchant for women’s rights. A feminist. Very charged and makes sure she is top dog in a man’s world.
Recovering or active alcoholic with a heart of gold. Doing her best with the cards life has dealt her.
FBI agent who has a sarcastic, melancholy demeanor. She channels her trauma into helping others.
Your best-friend who will do whatever it takes for you; pour a stiff Manhattan or binge Ben & Jerry’s.
My favorite actors/roles:
Robin Wright Penn, especially in “Forrest Gump”
Jean Smart, especially in “Watchmen”
Frances MacDormand, especially in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “Fargo”
Jessica Chastain in “Scenes from a Marriage”
Cate Blanchett in “Mrs. America” or “Manifesto”
Meg Ryan in “French Kiss”
Renee Russo in “The Thomas Crowne Affair”
My favorite quote is by Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”