And here we are.

“Study music to know how, but study theatre to know why,” said a wise English teacher when I was trying to make the impossible decision: what should my college major be? Her words were philosophically intriguing but not exactly helpful in making a definitive decision.

I grew up singing all the time, playing piano, building epic medleys out of the Ashman & Menken catalogue, but I had also staged my friends in musical numbers, written theatrical adaptations of children stories, and performed in every musical I could in my rural area. I sincerely loved both with abandon.

So. Like the Cinderella of Into the Woods, I chose not to decide. My formal education favored music, theory, and vocal production, but I worked in the theatre department office and performed in every play, musical, and reading. My ‘how’ improved my ‘why’ which continues to improve my ‘how.’

I see you, friend.