My Next Passion Project Begins...

As one door closes, another opens. Isn’t that the old saying? In my life, this seems to ring true.

As many readers may know, I have a passion for singing. I’ve been singing in our local band, Homemade Jam, for several years; then transitioned to a different band when COVID-19 did its damage to Homemade Jam. I’ve sung all over the area and loved every minute of it.

In February my singing came to a screeching halt. At band practice, while singing, I heard a loud pop in my ear and immediately knew something was wrong. A week later, singing at a friend’s gig, it happened again and my voice immediately went hoarse. I thought I had ruptured my eardrum, the pain was severe.

Upon a doctor’s visit and a vocal scope (they go through your nose - who knew?), it was found I have some pretty damaged and strained vocal cords, TMJ, laryngopharyngeal reflux (acid that sits on my vocal cords) and my voicebox was 8x the size it should have been. The pain is still aggressively in my ear, but no reason why. Singing was no longer in my near future.

So, I’m bummed. I’m creative and singing was my creative outlet. And who knows when things will get back to normal, if ever (thanks auto-immune disease). And thus, the singing door closes and the acting door opens.

This Thursday, April 14 at 6 PM at the Star Theatre, via Gold Junction Presents, I will present to our community a Whitehall community theatre plan. This project has been in the works for longer than just my vocal injury, but it seems now is the time to make it happen. I invite everyone to attend! You don’t need to be on stage acting to participate as some of the most important work in productions happens behind the scenes. Set design, costumes, props, lighting, sound - all of these things do not require you to be the center of attention. However, we are definitely looking for those spontaneous, outrageous, charismatic souls who want to be in front of the crowd as well.

I recently accepted the Whitehall High School Drama Director position as well, so be ready for lots of high school theatrics in the future!