Our personal lives shift, and with these shifts, the balance in our careers as artists. And while tectonic emotional 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 probably 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 conscious and more often, 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 what she is really feeling to the audience, walk downstage, break the fourth wall, forget herself in the ugly choice to be made in an awful predicament? 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 collaborate, or, more importantly, 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 as works for stage and literature. Stage performances transform written words into vibrant, multi-sensory experiences—bring narratives to life in uniquely layered ways. Encouraging audience engagement through interactive elements, emotional connections, and relatable themes is essential in my creative approach. I look for the light switch and flip it on, if I can find my way to it.
Music is featured in everything I create. Music is empathy. Lyrics have the power to convey complex feelings and ideas in an evocative, visceral way, creating stronger connections between audience and story.
My career journey starts from a place of curiosity with so many different beginnings, each starting with the story. I follow its path, and I love to explore that path with others, be they audience or artist. Each contributes to the rich tapestry of being human.