Our personal lives shift and with these shifts, the balance recalibrates in our careers as artists. And while tectonic personal jolts might rock us, they inspire creative growth. My creative perspective changed when I divorced, met a Scot, moved countries, changed up what was comfortable and familiar, and navigated the story of an American in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“On cue, the overture shifted from D minor to D major – from condemnation to a chuckle. “Mozart had a sense of humor, undercutting the grandiosity of tragedy with a laugh. —Inver Joe, Stephanie Vlahos
I grew up singing. From about the age of five, I sang everywhere I went. And for as much as it might have annoyed my parents, at least they knew where to find me. As singers, we fixate on sound, and only later, we discover it’s not sound as much as it is feeling powered by both conscious unconscious instincts. Opera singers are walking instruments—vessels, and yet, the sense of how we play the instrument, the coloration of tone, the brutta voce (ugly voice)—does Tosca whisper “Vissi d’arte” in Scarpia’s quarters or does she reveal her ugly conflict to the audience, walk downstage, break the fourth wall, forget herself in the awful choice to be made? Choices are everything, and in art, they become burnished signatures because they always manifest through the voice.
I am on a journey to bring voice to the word, whether singing, directing, writing, or through mentoring. My voice has always sung other people’s songs, other people’s stories. I walked in their shoes until they felt comfortable.
With a deep appreciation for my experiences as a musician and performer, and as a guide and mentor to those seeking direction and encouragement, let’s play. (See Early Dayz)
Stephanie Vlahos’ John K: Am I Alone? is a thought-provoking, surreal journey through isolation, identity, and the cosmic dance of existence. With whimsical illustrations and existential musings, the book invites readers to explore the blurred lines between reality and imagination.
At its core, the book reflects on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic—how digital identities replaced real-world interactions, and homes became both sanctuaries and prisons. The story is both bleak and darkly humorous, tackling themes of loneliness and self-discovery while ultimately celebrating human connection.
With its compact length and engaging, almost poetic narrative style, John K: Am I Alone? is an intriguing and artistic read.
Highly recommend.GoodReads
I create stories to be read or spoken. I do love to hear other people read my work aloud because they bring life to the friends in my head. During Covid, I created a podcast from the early sketches of a book. The actors were all friends exploring how to make a podcast and could it be successful. Although I now refer to that podcast, Mercury’s Wake, as an alternate reality it was a blessed experience, allowing me to create a little community of friends working through the global crisis. Our podcast received 300,000 downloads and is 64th in global reach.
I stumble in the dark looking for the light switch and sometimes find it to flip it on. Isn’t that life, my friends. We’re at our best when we take the bumpy road trip rather than the freeway.
Music is featured in everything I create. Music is empathy. Good lyrics are succinct even if they’re absolute nonsense.
My career journey started from a place of curiosity and so it has continued. That’s how I write, direct, explore characters, allow the metaphors to resonate rather than suffocate in a dominant interpretation. With each story, whether my own or someone else’s, I follow its path. That said, that journey is always more fun when shared. Collaboration is a joyous word.
If you’re a singer looking to explore the unique power of your sound…let’s play.
If you’re an actor who wants to bring your unique character to a role…let’s play.
If you’re a performer wanting to mount a show where your authenticity shines…let’s play.