I first met Rachel Griffin when we sat on a panel that the League of Professional Theatre Women was hosting. Immediately I was inspired by Rachel’s words, her passion, her poise in front of a crowd. She was a calming force on the panel, something I greatly appreciated. The compassion that she has for others, and her understanding of the human spirit shines in everything she does, especially her music. I’m thrilled that she’s agreed to be part of our Music Magic Q&A Series at thewriteteachers.com, and elated to say that I’ll be featuring selected tunes of Rachel’s in an upcoming project of my own: Women of the Wings: A Celebration of Female Musical Theatre Writers at Feinstein’s/54 Below on August 4th.
MM: When did you first realize you wanted to be musical theatre writer?
RG: Since I was little I’ve used songwriting to navigate my thoughts and feelings. My songs have been my maps! I got serious about becoming a singer/songwriter/pianist in high school and wrote a lot of pop-rock music. When I moved to New York City after college I was so inspired by all the incredible theatre I was seeing. I also married a musical theatre writer! I realized how powerful theatre is in creating awareness, empathy, community and breaking stereotypes and stigmas. This made me want to write a show!
MM: Of all the roles you’ve written thus far, which ones is closest to your heart?
RG: The protagonist of our musical, “We Have Apples,” Jane, is a creative writer who struggles with a mental health condition. She sings a song called, “The Ocean” about how she is grateful for having so much creative energy and emotion but how it also can be overwhelming. She loves this vast sea of feelings and thoughts but also fears getting swallowed by it. This is how I felt before I had the right navigational system for my own ocean! So this character and her “I want” song are very close to my heart.
MM: When one walks into your home, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
RG: A few Thich Nhat Hanh books, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist who’s writing I love, are always around! “Peace Is Every Step” “Living Buddha, Living Christ”.
MM: If you were stranded on a desert island, what television shows and/or movies would you want available to you, (assuming of course you have a television and Internet connection?)
RG: “What About Bob?” for movie. I’d watch Seinfeld for tv show and be like, “What’s the deal with desert islands?”
MM: What’s the best piece of advice you’d want to offer aspiring musical theatre writers?
RG: Writing a musical can seem overwhelming and it’s easy to want to give up. Don’t! If you work at it, diligently, for even a small amount per day, it’s amazing what this small amount of work can add up to. Break a huge task down into little pieces.
Believe that your voice is valuable and your work is worthy. Tell the story you have to tell. Don’t wait for someone to give your work permission to be seen. Make it happen.
MM: What sound do you love? What sound do you hate?
RG: I love the sound of the cello. I hate the sound of people chewing! LOL
MM: What literary or musical theatre character is most like your personality? Least like your personality?
RG: Most like my personality is Maria from The Sound of Music! I’m a public school teacher, an optimist, a bit of a trouble maker and “I have confidence in sunshine!” I’m least like Ursula from The Little Mermaid because I want to help people find their voice, not take it away!
MM: In today’s economic state, arts education programs are being cut. What reasons would you give to a school board or politician for preserving arts education programming in schools?
RG: I would say that the arts are just as valuable as the core subjects. They are such a rich part of culture. We want creative, innovative, inspired, dedicated, compassionate students who learn to work together and collaborate. The arts can provide these opportunities and instill these qualities. Also, many of our students who struggle in other areas excel in the arts. They are many kinds of intelligences. These students deserve a place to thrive.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher? (Can absolutely be more than one!)
RG: My greatest teacher was Michelle Snow, my college jazz voice teacher. I was majoring in music performance, though I felt most inspired when I was writing music. In the middle of my jazz voice lesson, she asked me what about music excited me. I answered, “Writing.” She asked me to play a few of my original songs. That night she called me in my dorm and said something like, “You can do this. You’re a really talented composer.” Her belief in me and my composing made all the difference.
Recent teachers who have been unbelievably wonderful are Michael Korie, Larry O’Keefe and Sheri Wilner, through the Dramatists Guild Fellows program. Their advice and guidance has been invaluable.
Thanks, Rachel!
Write Teacher(s) Readers – be sure to come down to Feinstein’s/54 Below on August 4th to celebrate Rachel and her fellow musical theatre female writers! Tickets and additional information are available here