Nights Like These

So welcome back guys. Welcome to the Drama Mamas. We're so excited today. Um, I'm Kathy. I'm Angela. I'm Kristin. Yeah. And today we have a very, very special guest, um, coming all the way from North Carolina. Correct. You're joining us. His name is Tommy War. We're so, so, so excited to have him on today. How are you doing today, Tommy?

I am doing absolutely incredible. It's nice to be here. Oh, yay. Well, thank you so much. Um, I can't tell you how we felt when you had reached out to us and said, Hey guys, I love what you're doing, . Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. And you know, you were like, Listen, I like what you guys are doing. I wanna be a part of this.

And we couldn't. I've been more prouder. Um, so thanks again for doing that and we're so excited to be collaborating with you. Um, we know you have some really exciting stuff, all kinds of lined up. Yeah. Your next week or so is gonna be pretty crazy and hectic, right? Oh yeah. Next week is, uh, it's a busy week.

I'm excited. Yep. Yep. So Tommy went ahead and started writing Malcolm X, the musical, I believe, at the age of 14, correct. Tommy? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Oh, that's amazing. So, and now you're getting ready to bring it to New York City for the big debut up there, right? Absolutely, yeah. We got invited, um, just a few weeks ago to perform at 54 Below.

Five size 54 below, um, for a black writer showcase. So we are absolutely beaming. It's, it's unbelievable. Ah, that's awesome. So if you wouldn't mind, can you tell our listeners how that all started for you, um, with that show? And, and here you are coming and, and it's gonna be a wonderful thing and you got even some local people around here that is joining you, correct?

Absolutely. Yeah. It's definitely been a journey. Um, That's kind of crazy to even talk about and think about. I can just see a bunch of images in my head as I try to explain it to you guys. Yeah. Um, I started writing the show at 14 years old, uh, as a passion project. Really just trying to, um, insert myself into the theater world as a writer, uh, and try to tell stories that I heard growing up and stories.

Um, hit home close to me, uh, with my affiliation and, um, started writing the show at 14, uh, Lake Well's Little Theater. I'm not sure if you guys are familiar with Lake Well's Little Theater. They, um, they shopped it with me and, and put it on the stage for a presentation back in 2020. Uh, and then like theater Winter Haven, uh, they picked it up and produced it as a full length product.

Uh, in 2021. And then from there, like just staging, after staging like Stetson University, uh, produced it with us and, you know, did another concert at Thedo Winter Haven. And now to be invited to New York City, it's just like unbelievable. I, I can't even, I can't even fathom. Like, it's awesome . So, yeah, it's super exciting.

We're so excited for you and you're a local for us. Central Floridian. You grew up in Central Florida. Yeah. Central Florida, Lake West Florida. It's the hometown. 8 63 County. We love it. Right. So how did county, we love it, started in the theater. When did this all start? At what age did you really start exploring theater and writing and all of this?

Oh, I got in the theater at 12 years. , 12 years old theater Winter Haven. They have their homeschool classes. Mm-hmm , their midweek homeschool classes that they do. And it literally started as like trying to hang out with friends and like wanting to be out of the house. And that's what led me to be a part of their academy.

And, um, You know, from there just doing plays, you know, church musicals and things like that led into really, uh, seeing it as, uh, a career path. And it's my passions all I can really, you know, see me doing at this point. So, So you are writing music that started at what age? Oh, the writing of the music started at 14.

Okay. Yeah. Okay. So when you started I started at 14. Right. And, um, it, it really was like, you know, I really had always been a fan of music and, and music composition and things like that. But, um, going from like writing into. Um, I'm sorry. Like, being a fan into writing was such a big jump and that, that, that continues like even next weekends, like the first time the music from our show will be performed by an actual live band Oh, wow.

Uh, and by their performers in New York City. So like, that's another step in the, you know, evolution and growth as a writer is like seeing everything go from like syn. To live orchestration. It's like, I'm can't even believe it. It's so exciting. Are you dying? You're all smiles. So that says a lot. You know, I totally get that.

So like, is it, is it hard to make that transition or did it just kind of come naturally from appreciating music to like actually writing it, composing it. Yeah, like the transition is like super, um, it's almost like, like you can't believe you're doing it, you know, Like you, music lives in, like if you're a composer, music just lives in your head, right.

And then, so to go from music living in your head into creating a, like a, let's say a piano demo, and you actually like that music goes from your head into actually being, you know, realized with music and then working with an ranger or, um, an orchestrator and hearing that piano score go into a four orchestration is like, you know, you can't even believe that it came just as like a humming idea into this full imagined, you know, piece.

So it's almost like, It is like the magic, it's like a magic of like, um, you know, seeing your work start here and then end up there. Mm-hmm. , so. Yeah. Unbelievable. I know. So, um, you know, our focus is kind of around helping moms or dads or grandparents help their children get involved in the theater in a successful way, so they become passionate like you clearly are and like our children are.

How did that work for you and your. My involvement in the arts wouldn't even, it wouldn't be where it's at without my family. Um, you know, my grandparents paid for my academy. You know, Theo would've an academy tuition, uh, you know, my dad and my mom driving me to every play rehearsal in every class and every show I wanted to see, like, you know, that looking back in hindsight now being a college student in the arts, like, I like wow.

Mom and dad had to drive me to every rehearsal, you know, for six weeks long. Like that is a big commitment and it's a sacrifice and it's an investment, uh, and it is one that's paying off. But, um, You know, just thinking about my grandparents, my parents, my mom specifically, cuz she really did have her hands in the mud when it came to the arts.

Uh, and my involvement in the theater, uh, like, it's just a, it's a tip hat, it's a thank you always because, um, you know, without them I wouldn't, haven't even been able to explore mm-hmm. theater, um, and let alone be passionate about it. Right. We're very familiar with the driving around part . Yeah. . I think the other day I spent literally six hours in the car just driving from one place to the next, taking the kids to their different things.

So, But as a mother, Yeah. And I'm sure your mother would feel the same as we. It's an absolute privilege to do when we see our kids. Mm-hmm. loving something so much. Yeah. And building family. That's one of the things we just absolutely love about it is not only are they learning, You get so close to the people that you're there with in the theater and make friends and your parents make friends and you get mom groups like us that happen there and Yeah.

You know, a support system kind of built in. That's how we kind of came so close is, you know, this shared, all our kids were doing the same thing all the time. And so we'd go from show to show to show, and sometimes Angela would drive too, and I would go and pick 'em all up. You know, Cathy would do the same and we would just kind of juggle it that way.

And being able to spread it out really kind of made it achievable, especially when not all our kids do the same thing. Mm-hmm. . So I, I appreciate the moms that are able to figure out how to do it on their own too. Mm-hmm. . Cause that's, that's a hell of a feat, honestly. . Mm-hmm. . Yeah, it is. Absolutely. And you know, you mentioned, um, you know, Being able to meet friends and have friends in that theater family.

You know, I think for my parents, they noticed me being a homeschool student, that I was lacking some of that, that friendship and that that family outside of our home. So my mom really did see my involvement in theater as an investment in my social life. Mm-hmm. , uh, and, you know, The next week I'm taking five Polk County artists to New York.

Uh, and they all have been a part of the show in these last, you know, two years of developing it. Uh, and so. Sowing the seed initially into, he needs to be around other kids that are interested in what he's interested in. Mm-hmm. turns into investing in like these six kids living their dream and getting to perform in one of the most iconic places.

I know two of those artists though, I know we do. Um, Sean is Sean John, one of them, and KJ is the other, Another one. Sean Jean. Yeah. Kj, Kimberly, uh, Yaa with our community theater. Yeah. Mm-hmm. . Great. Awesome guys. Yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah. It really is a small world. I mean, yeah, theater is a very, very small world. I wanna hear more about your New York trip.

Tell us about the story of the show. Tell us how we can watch you and follow you and, and all that good stuff. The New York trip, um, has been like the most, I wanna say, like, exciting slash kind of, um, like nerve wracking experiences, uhhuh, um, Like, I'm in Charlotte right now currently studying musical theater and like my cast is there in Polk County and so our rehearsal schedule is like all virtual.

And so we're literally preparing for our biggest gig yet and haven't all been able to be in the same place. So that's interesting. Yeah. That uh, you know, with the show, like I'm not actually done writing the. I continue to write it, I continue to, um, add new songs or new scenes and things like that. So, you know, as we prepare to do the showcase, it's also figuring out, you know, what songs we feel will best, you know, um, present the show to the audience and, and give them a feel of what, you know, we're working on.

But, um, all of those things is like a small, um, glimpse into like what working in the professional world's gonna be. And that is very exciting. You know, the producer of this showcase, um, she works for 54 Below and she's also one of the producers on Michael Jackson the musical, the MJ musical. That's so like being in correspondence with her and like working with the Broadway producer.

Is a completely different, you know, um, experience than working with your community theater. I love that as well, but just having both experiences, Yes. It just really gives you an, um, a well rounded view of being an artist, a theater artist. So yeah, it's awesome. What a great platform for you, right? This is gonna be an awesome springboard opportunity, right?

I mean, this producer's getting to know you. She's getting to see what you're all about, what you can create. There, I mean, the opportunities are endless for you, Tommy, so, Gosh, absolutely. And I will add, like, you know, we talked about having friends and, and the, the family that theater is, you know, the reason that we're even asked to be a part of this showcase, uh, is because I about wanna say six months ago, became Instagram friends with a young man named Kon Hershey, who was actually, uh, the music producer on Hamilton.

Dear Hansen, greatest show. And he graduated from, um, Berkeley School of Music. And so we started to talk back and forth and he was kind of giving me advice and things like that on the Malcolm X project. So when the producer was looking for more theater artists to be showcased at this event, He already knew exactly who he had to, you know, uh, recommend.

So I always tried to, um, encourage other theater artists to make those connections. You know, follow somebody on Facebook, send that dm because you never know what opportunity's gonna come from that, you know, uh, correspondence that, that connection you have with that person. That is a really cool story.

And that's kind of what you did for us. You reached out to us. Yeah. Reached out to us. Hey guys. Yeah. Which we are just so thrilled that, that you have, you are a pretty young guy. How old? I'm 18. 18. I'm 18. Going on 19 in January. Wow. Tommy. Little sound of music reference there. , you are so poised and so professional for an 18 year old.

Your family must be so proud of you as a mom. I'm just like, Thank you. Yeah. Absolutely. Sorry. I'm sure you guys are proud of, of your kids too and what they're doing. You guys are with Lakeland community, right? Yes. Yeah, and we, they've done a show at Winter. Awesome. And each show I've seen at Lakeland Community Top Tier.

Mm-hmm. , Yes. Excellent. Well, and same for Winter Aid. When we're just over there today for an audition, we great. We have such great community theaters in this area. We're so fortunate. Yeah. We're super lucky. We've talked before about this wild talent bubble that seems to have been created. Um, and you know, we've talked, maybe it's because we're halfway between Tampa and Orlando and, you know, we have all these great theaters around, um, but our community theaters are definitely not your typical, right?

Mm-hmm. community theaters around the talent that comes to audition and to be a part of the shows is just, you know, mind blowing. It's great. We're, we're happy. Our kids are getting a wonderful experience. Um, just like, you know how I'm sure that you did too. What are some of the shows that you've done aside from the ones that you've written?

This is gonna sound really funny and it's gonna surprise you guys, but I've actually only done one musical. That's not the one I wrote. Really? Wow. And it was recently, I, I never, So I was a part of Thedo, We Havens Academy, But the way that they, that they do it. We do, um, classes and then we do showcases.

Mm-hmm. , but those showcases are very different than being a part. You know, an actual production with the, you know, six weeks of rehearsal and the tech rehearsals and things like that. Right. Um, so I did a lot of showcases. It was like, you know, you're a good man, Charlie Brown, or like, you know, a skit here and there, but I recently actually did my first musical other than the Malcolm X show, and it was frozen.

Oh my God. And I played, uh, yes, I played the Bishop of Aaron Dell. Uh, in Thedo, We haven's frozen production. Uh, just last spring. I just lost, and that was really fun. Oh, we, And getting to see like all of the kids getting excited, like when ELs was saying let it go was like, Super, super rewarding. So, um, I've actually only done the Malcolm X Show and the Elsa Show, which are very different.

Very different. But I'm really happy that I've gotten to be a part of both those, so. Well then I saw you cuz we went to that one. It was a great show. Yeah. We saw you. That was me in the Big hat. You were . Do you hope to do more musicals or you more focusing on writing and composing? Right now it's just writing.

It's really just writing like for. acting in shows is really just a way to get my foot in the door so I can become a creative. Mm-hmm. , it really is, you know, Um, my dream really is to be a writer. I wanna also be a producer. My, like I was talking to a friend earlier. My end goal dream is to actually open my own performing arts center.

Um, like the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts, like the Tommy Wilford Performing Arts Center auditorium, that's like my goal. Um, that way I can create a space for other artists to come in and work on their shows or rehearsal space or classrooms for dancers and, you know, choreographers to have the space to create and, and cultivate.

Um, you know, the next generation of talent when I in that space to do, um, you know, one of the people that I really look up to is Dan Cheika, uh, from Theater Winterhaven. And like, he's like, like really been a great role model and, um, mentor for me. So if I can be that to like the next generation of theater makers when I'm his age, then that's really, You've done it.

Yeah. That's really where my eyes are. And like box checked, right? Like Yeah. Yeah, yeah. That's awesome. Oh yeah. Amazing goal. And we know that the space and the the place to do those things is so important because that mm-hmm. can sometimes be a challenge for small theaters. Yeah. We've joked about, I don't know, does North Carolina do the power ball?

Like the lottery. Say it again. Does North Carolina Oh yeah. Oh yeah. The line, the line of the gas station. Sorry. That's how my brain works all over the place. But uh, the reason why I bring that up Tommy, is cuz we have joked like, we're gonna go, we're gonna get some tickets and if we win, Or if any one of us win because it's like $2 billion, right?

Yeah. Yeah. It's a B like, Yeah, I that money, but what could we do with it? How do you pay that forward? You know? Yeah. You build a musical, the first thing you do is donate to a musical called Malcolm X . You got it the first thing you do. Absolutely. . Absolutely. Yeah. We've joked about building a musical theater.

You. Here in Lakeland, a bigger one that everyone can use. But we joke about that if we ever win, we're gonna put that money back in. They're not a, they're not a cheap thing to like put together, uh, Surprisingly, cuz you think it's, Oh it's just the building, but it's not. Cuz if you're gonna do, you know, theater, then you need a fly system and all of that and that's, you know, millions of dollars to build that kind of facility.

It is, yeah. It is. Yeah. We've seen the way it's changed our children's lives. Um. Mm-hmm. , When we first moved here to Lakeland about six years ago, we were just kind of floating around trying different things, and it's when my children got into the theater, I just, it was like a spark went off in them, and they mm-hmm.

they're, they're depressed when they're not on stage. , like, when there's a lull between shows or something, they, they feel it. So yeah, we wanna do it every we can to just build up the theaters and build up the children and help the parents be successful. . Yeah, I can definitely relate. That was actually, that's so funny that you said that cuz that's literally the same thing my mom said to me one time when I finished a play.

I was really down in the dumps and she was like, Tommy, there's this pattern, like you do a show and everything's good in life and then you're not giving a show and it's just like, Woe is me. Mm-hmm. . And she's like, What is this? And that's when I knew, oh, like this is my passion. Mm-hmm. . Cause I'm not doing.

Yeah. I'm not happy. Right. You know, and so, uh, you know, moms, all moms, they got that. They got that Nick. They got that. Nick. They, you know, they know. We know. We always know moms. We know it's a good thing to have that cuz there's no handbook for the rest of it. No, I'm just flying by the seat of your pants.

Yeah, exactly. You're just trying to do whatever you can to support your kids so that they can be happy. You know, that's, that's just really what we're trying to do. And, uh, you know, like Angela said, if we can help educate and promote and, you know, have great people like you on that can share, you know, what happened with them, um, good and bad, right?

Because you've gone down this road a little bit. You've, I'm sure you've seen some potholes and you know, all of that. You know where to go and what turns not to make. And, you know, um, when we all started, we knew nothing. Deer in headlights showing up to an audition, maybe had music, maybe didn't . Mm-hmm. , we had no idea what to expect.

You know, you sit in an auditorium for like, the parent meeting and you know, you're surrounded by people that already know everybody. It can be a little intimidating, you know? Mm-hmm. . Um, but, you know, luckily our kids did good. They stuck through it. We found each other, and so we just wanna be able to spread.

Um, you know, to other parents that are just getting into this Right. Or maybe they're a little hesitant mm-hmm. because they're not quite sure, like everybody knows how to get their kid into soccer or baseball. Right. But everybody knows how to get their kid into musical theater or, Or composing, Yeah. Or composing and writing.

Like, that's also another, you know, area like you have found your way through. Was that a straightforward process for you, or did you really have to kind of stumble through it like in the dark almost? You. Like, honestly, it was one of those things for me where I wanted to be in shows. , but I, there weren't any roles for me and the show is being selected, you know, by the theater company.

And so I felt like if I'm gonna be the lead in the show, I have to write my way into being the lead of a show. And so that's how I got into writing. Wow. It was like, let me write a show where I can be at the forefront. And my friends, Sean kj Yeah. Can be at the forefront. So I feel like that is, um, that, that was very unique to me in my situation.

With your kids, I mean like, or someone else's kids, they may get into acting and be like, I really like set design, or, I really like costuming. And they find that way, you know? Um, my instructor here at school, his name is Corey Mitchell, he was the first, um, theater educator to actually be awarded at the Tony Award for theater education.

And so he got into theater as an actor and then was like, I really want to teach. And so I feel like theater is. That melting pot of so many different industries that once you enter in as an actor, you can become a writer or you enter in as a lighting designer, you can become an actor. It's just following where your heart leads.

Mm-hmm. . Yeah, that's a great point. I love that. That is a great point. Yeah. As we always say, like we think the kids should check a show or, you know, do different, different pieces of the show because you never know what's gonna stick. . It's kinda like when I was growing up, my mom let me try everything. I got to do horseback riding and gymnastics and all those different things, and she let me try it all till I really found what stuck with me.

So it's kind of what you're saying, get in the theater and then try the different pieces of it and you never know where you're gonna land. Yeah. You know, I, I like acting and frozen, but I also was doing all the flies. So, because only was in really two scenes, right? Yeah. I would get outta my bishop costume and then I would drop the castle and I would, you know, bring in the trees and like, you know, being an actor in the show and also taking the show.

It helped me see that theater is not about one person. It's not just about Elsa on stage. Right. It's about the entire production and we're all helping to make this magnificent show possible for the audience. Yeah. And we try to tell the kids that all the time. No part is a small part. Doesn't matter what you are, you may not be the league.

You might be a butterfly or a squirrel or something. It all started out with srr. It. Yeah. It all comes together to everyone is I. From the people on the stage, the people behind the stage, the people that make the costumes and everything else. Yeah. And I think just be the best butterfly you can be. . Yeah, right.

That's right. Exactly. And when you can do all the different parts, I think it really helps you appreciate the other pieces, right? Because you've walked a day in those shoes, you know what it's like now for those fly guys or girls, that is a difficult. Right to be up there to hold, make sure the balances are right, make sure you're letting go at the right time.

Make sure you're not doing it too fast. Make sure you're not, your hand doesn't get in the way you're hand, you're not hitting anybody. I mean, that's like, you know, a crazy part of the show. So, you know, you've been able to do that piece. So now I bet every show now, like when you're doing Malcolm, if you have fly, I don't know if you have flies on your show, but you know, you're able to appreciate that part.

And you know what it. Yeah. Right. And as a, as a theater maker, when I'm doing the full productions of Malcolm, like we did our production at Studson University, like, that was one moment for me where I kind of felt alone because we had done our show at Theater Winterhaven, and you seen their shows. They're, they have a great team.

Mm-hmm. . And when I did our show at Studson University in the land, like I was kind of in charge of almost every aspect of production. I had people that would. But not at the level that Thedo Winterhaven really puts in into their shows. Mm-hmm. . And so having the understanding of like, this is what a fly person goes through, this is what a tech person goes through, this is what an actor goes through.

I was able to, Kind of put my feet in their shoes and understand like, Okay, like this stage manager's mad because of this, right? This actor's not able to get to his place because of this. And when you're only in one aspect, it's hard for you to see from someone else's perspective. So being a playwright, being a producer, It really does give me, you know, a great position to be able to see where everyone's coming from when they're entering in their space as a creative, that's a 50,000 foot view that you can pull back to and be like, Yeah, okay.

Exactly. I see all the moving parts, all the pieces, how they come together. Right. Yeah. You have any projects you're working on now? You're probably pretty focused on school and Malcolm? No, I actually do and I'm, I'm so excited to ask me that, since you guys are, You guys are in, you guys are in Lakeland, right?

Yes. Yeah. Mm-hmm. . Cool. So I've actually been writing a film musical. With a young lady who goes to Harrison School of the Arts. Oh, nice. Uh, and we are really excited to be launching it. We're gonna be starting to film it next month when I'm on Christmas break. And, uh, I'm not gonna spoil too much of it, but the idea behind the musical is basically all of the things that high schoolers go through from freshman year to senior year, and we're speaking to it.

we're calling it, uh, the, the new improved high school musical . Uh, and where we're really speaking to the issues that high schoolers deal with. Like no one gives the freshmen a rule book that says, Hey, like these are the do's and don'ts and here's how you're gonna survive these next four years. Mm-hmm. , Uh, and then no one gives the senior like, This is how we're entering into the collegiate world or entering into the workforce is gonna be.

And so we've created these characters and they all have their own, um, ambitions and weights on their shoulders and parents. And peers talking to them. And we've created a really nice piece. It has seven songs plus a 60 page script and screenplay that she wrote. And we're hopefully gonna be, um, you know, filming it right there in Lakeland and getting outta Harrison School with the arts, um, kids involved with it.

So it's gonna be, it's gonna be fun to be a part of. Awesome. That is amazing. How exciting. I know, right. We'll have to have you guys back on once you're working on that and we can talk about it. Oh yeah, yeah, absolutely. And I'm, my co-writer on that is, Emma Peterson, and she's just fan, fabulous writer. And then, um, also had the opportunity of letting my, my theater little brother talk about the family in theater, Uh, Thomas Dobra, who, uh, also has been a part of theater, Winter Haven Academy and is now a freshman at Harrison School of Arts to do some choreography.

So it's gonna be fun. He was in Sical with our kids, the mayor, Thomas. Oh, he's awesome. Oh my gosh. So exciting. I think he adored him. Oh yeah. Yeah. And, and something about Thomas that's really cool is Thomas has been a part of every Malcolm X show behind the scenes. Ah, that's, And so his parents, like, they let him come with me to Orlando.

We did a show at Orlando. Spirit theater. We this show at Stetson University and they've just been like really supportive parents also in saying like, yeah, we're gonna trust this 18 year old kid with our son to go and like do shows And um, and we're talking about theater parents who are supportive. We have to mention the do brass family cuz they are also with, uh, Thomas and their daughter Emma before really supportive in, in their kids as well.

That's super exciting. I can't wait to see that. Yeah. Yeah. We know a lot of the kids. Daughter's actually a freshman at, um, Harrison as well. So that'll be really exciting to see. Let's get her, let's get her in it. Let's get this cast going. Let's do it. . Yeah, let's do it. Have fun. So at school, what are you focusing on?

Or is there like a, I don't know anything about the curriculum. Is there like certain things you focus on throughout, like a progression with your schooling or you get to kind of tailor what you want? How does that. . Absolutely. So I'm a part of the musical theater track on a program called The Theater Gap in.

Uh, it was founded by, like I said, Tony Award winning Corey Mitchell, and it's actually a gap year program housed at a college here in, uh, Charlotte, North Carolina, with the intention of placing us in one of the top BFA schools next fall. Okay. Um, so I'm applied to U Arts Manhattan School of Music, NYU Emerson, and those are all my dream schools to get into.

And something that this gap your program is doing is it's letting us learn. Professionals before college. That way that it, um, it really like helps solidify our gifts and, um, make us even stronger performance for our, our auditions into, um, you know, colleges and BFA programs. I'll say for musical theater, because this is something that your, your kids will probably go through if they wanna to continue, you know?

I believe, um, Pace, which is a really popular school in New York, they receive 10,000 applicants every year for their musical theater program. Gotcha. And then they call back like 500, and then out of the 500 they call back, they only accept 24. So it's a really, really large pool of talent and not enough schools and not enough programs.

And so Theater Gap Initiative is a program that. Let's take you, we'll train you and then we'll send you out an even stronger performer into those BFA programs. And, um, that's where I'm at right now and I'm having a blast. Um, you know, our, our instructors, they are top tier either from here, from New York, from Charlotte.

They've worked all around and, um, yeah, they're awesome. They're really awesome. It's been a great program. What is that audition process to get into those programs? What does that entail? Oh wow. Um, . So we've been here since August and we don't leave till March. And like it's, you have to do three monologues.

Okay. Two songs, a dance audition and a wild card. Oh. And so like that's a lot of material is a lot to prepare for an audition. Yeah. And. There's also something they're called pre-screens. And pre-screens is like, I'm gonna send you my material, me performing it. They'll watch it and then based off that pre-screen, they'll decide if they want you to audition.

So it's not your audition, it's a prerequisite to see if they want you to audition. Wow. It is a very competitive, Yeah, it's very competitive to get into. And, um, that's why this program is so needed and why I'm so happy my mom found it, um, because I feel. This coming, this, uh, winter, this spring, I'm gonna be admitted into so many programs just based off of my resume, my experiences of my own professional work, plus the academic training that I'm getting from them.

It is really a great initiative. Yeah, it sounds fantastic. I love that they're bridging that gap, you know? Yeah, yeah, definitely. Cause it is so competitive. Yes. Yeah. And with the supportive. I mean, I'm sure Tommy, with all of your work and the success of Malcolm X to musical, I'm sure that that is going to be a huge feather in your cap to get into your dream school.

Sounds like they'd be lucky to have you . Hey, if you need a letter of reference, can you just contact us? ? Yes. That is a big, that is a big part of it, you know. Um, I can't stress, like to myself, even mentors, Like mentors, mentors, mentors. Find yourself mentors. Anywhere I go, when I see a show, I, I'm like, Is the writer here?

Can I meet the writer? Mm-hmm. , like, I wanna meet the writer. Can I talk to the producer? And sometimes like people look at me and they're like, Get outta here. Like, who are you? ? And then sometimes they're like, Yeah, like he's actually here. Like I was able to connect. The Tony Award winning Michael R. Jackson, who wrote the Estranged Loop musical.

Oh, yeah. That got like 13 Tony nominations. Yeah. And like connecting with him and like having him as like, started off as like answering some questions, turn into a mentorship, turn into a friendship, and like having that, you know, this guy has a show on Broadway with th to 13 Tony nominations. That's what I want.

And so one thing our instructors tell us is like, find the person whose career you want. And follow their blueprint, talk to them, you know, grow that connection. Uh, and so that is, that is definitely like, that is a recommendation. Mentorship and things like that. You know, I'm always. Always building, uh, building that up.

That's why I contacted the drama moms , because I wanted to have that, uh, you know, even more connection in the, in the Florida, you know, theater scene as well. So. Well, it sounds like you, you don't, you're saying don't be afraid to get rejected. Like, put yourself out there and make as many connections as you can.

You're gonna hear a lot of notes, but then you might hear that one. Yes. It really takes you to the next level. Yeah. You just need that one. Absolutely. Absolutely. I don't know how many nos I got to producing Malcolm X the first time for the first show. Like, it was so many nos. It was like, what? like and, and people like, You wanna do a music about who and where?

Like, no. Uh, but finding Theore Winterhaven and being like, Yes, we're gonna help you with this. Ah, there you go. Like, you gotta get, you know, 10 no's to get one. Yes. Right. You know, I really feel like we're literally lucky to get to know you right now because you're destined for great things. And one day we're gonna be like, Oh, we know him.

Yeah, we, we'll sit in the audience and be like, I know him. He was the, No. Is that was it? No, that's right. . . This is gonna, No. How is that? I feel the same way. This is, this has to be like a TV show or something, guys. This is super cool. Like this concept is really original. I, I have never heard of anything like this.

So, you know, to those of you guys as well, doing some research in the beginning too, like, uh, we don't, we haven't found anybody that kind of fills this niche, you know? Mm-hmm. , I mean, there's, I'm sure there's other, there's other mom shows out there, you know? Right. Uh, but nobody that talks about theater stuff.

Nobody that's trying. Other new parents who were like new to this scene to. The ball forward over there with them. Like, you know, the idea actually came to us. We were sitting at theater Winter Haven. Yeah, we were, while our kids were at a callback for Sical Jr. And we were joking like, Oh, we should make a podcast drama we like for hours.

Yes. Well we just sit around and cut each other up. We do, we do. And we spend a lot of time laughing the whole term, like, Drama Mama is really a play on words because we are not, you know, dramatic. Crazy people. Right. You know, like dance moms and those kind of crazy people is not us. No. That is so not us. I d know, I'm kind of dramatic.

Well, you're a little bit . There's always, But we reign you in. Oh, I've seen, I've seen dance moms. You guys are not as bad as those moms. Nor do we want to. Abby Lee Miller, we're all about promoting the positive that we're very serious about that. Yes. There's no place for hate and trash talk and all of that.

No, there's, So who are your kids in, in sko? Cause I saw SKO final dress rehearsal. Oh my gosh. My daughter was Jojo and mine. Okay, okay. Mine was Gertrud Mc Fuzz. Yes. And Gabby's was baby Kangaroo. Okay, so leads, just leads all around. We were a little shocked because that was our first time there. They didn't know us, so we were super thrilled and had a really, really good experience.

And like you say, Dan is amazing. He was at every show talking to the kids and Yes. Even encouraging them. Yes. Like, Oh, you guys do great. Knows all the kids by name. Mm. You know. Mm-hmm. , that's just amazing. Sarah Ka is the director. She is. Aw. She's just awesome. I love her to death. Yeah. Yeah. Super supportive, but yet, you know, gets to business.

Mm-hmm. takes it very seriously. Right. We volunteer, love that backstage. Um, which is kind of what we do. I mean, we just have always done that. Mm-hmm. and, um, seeing their facility back there is like completely different than anything we experienced so far up to that point. And, um, it's, it's just, it's neat to kind.

Follow the kids. So they're going to other facilities and then we're getting to follow them. We're learning and seeing all the new stuff that they're seeing. Like it's tightening our relationships with our kids too, I feel like. Mm-hmm. , you know, Definitely. So it's not just supporting 'em, you know, you talked about Thedo Winterhaven, um, being supportive.

Like, I, I will never argue on that one. Like they've been so supportive and Dan text me just like three days ago. I was like, You ready for nyc? Anything we can do? I'm like, Like y'all have helped so much and to still be like, How can we help? I'm like, I don't know how you help Dan. I'm like, This is like Broadway.

Like how do you help with that? But like the fact that you're like invested that much to help when you already propelled me to such a great height. It just speaks to how much they really are for the community. Like they are a community theater. Absolutely. And I've heard the same about Lakeland community and I've heard the same about, you know, Lake Well's.

I know the same about Lake Well's little theater in Haines City like we do. A blessed, um, theater community in Polk County. It's kind of unbelievable. You is. Think about it. It really is. It is just the sheer amount of talent that's out here. Oh gosh. I know. Every time you go in, you see a show. Even if it's not one, we're like really involved in just going and seeing it.

It just knocks your socks off. Last night we went, speaking of Harrison, we went and saw Mary Poppins there, Mary Poppins, and holy crap. Their shows just like, like goosebumps when you watch 'em. Mm-hmm. , they're so good. And when. You know, the lead flew in as Mary Poppins across the stage. Like everybody just like lost their shit

They just totally lost it. It was amazing. And then they step into interest. Interesting part about, um, Mary, Mary Poppins. I don't know if you guys know Janiah, but like she was like at the Jimmy's last year. Yeah. And you know, was really represented us there and like That's awesome. You know, like she's amazing.

Got the Polk County kids coming up. They're coming up. We're representing, we really are. Yeah. We follow her pretty closely because. Voice teacher, Jordan Jones is coaches our children as well. So we've kind of gotten to know her through that and yeah, watched the Jimmys and just, it was amazing. Yeah. You better scoop her up, get her in one of your shows.

Yeah. Yeah. I'm trying. Listen, I've been trying. You don't understand. So this is actually a really cool story. Um, I met her at the juneteenth of the inaugural Juneteenth celebration that Winter Haven put on. In 2021 and we were performing, Malcolm X was performing a set and she was performing a song and like, When she performed, I was like, I, I need her.

Like I need her, like in this show. And like every single time we do it, there's something, It was either it's Harrison or it's the Jimmy's or it's something getting in the way. Um, but we have a production that we're doing at the historic Ritz Theater downtown Winterhaven in. February and like I'm gonna, I'm gonna try again.

I'm gonna cast my ballot again and we'll see what happens because she's definitely really talented. We'll see if we can help get . Yeah, yeah. We'll see if we can't help connect those that dot Yeah, let's do it. Help me out. So how can we kind of track you with Malcolm X next week? When is it showing and how can we keep with everything?

Yes. So Malcolm X, we, um, fly into New York on Saturday night. Nice. Okay. And. We have a, we have a rehearsal from 12 to two at 54 below. We hit the stage at nine 30 and they're gonna be doing lots of coverage on the 54 below Instagram and Facebook page. Okay. Um, as they do with all their, their shows that they do, we're gonna be posting things on our social medias and things like that, and I'm hoping to really, if I have the time to, um, kind of vlog the experience and, and be able to, you know, share that vlog with everybody.

Um, you know, she had that cause it really has been a journey, uh, that, which so many, you know, Polk County Arts people have helped with. And, um, it's a, it's a win for everybody. It's, it's, it's huge. So, thank you guys. Really excited. Thank you for contributing as well. Wonderful. Absolutely. We'll get the word out as much as we can.

Yeah, absolutely. Do you have any advice for little ones getting into the theater and something that could help them? Yes. I would say don't be afraid to be rejected. Always ask, like you have to voice what you want. If you don't voice what you want, you're never gonna get it. Mm-hmm. and so many people are afraid of the no.

That they risk it for the yes. Mm-hmm. . And so if I don't say Theodore Winterhaven, I want you to produce my musical, they're never gonna be able to know if how they can. . And if I don't go to this 54 below thing and shake every producer's hand and meet every actor and every theater maker and say, I would love to grow a collaboration with you, or work with you on something, they're not gonna be checking for that want that I have.

Mm-hmm. . So that's my advice. Know what you want, voice what you what, and don't be afraid to get a no because yeses will come. I absolutely love that because that's kind of the reason we're sitting here. Because you're not afraid of the no . Cause if it were up to me, I would hide in a corner and say, We can't do a podcast.

I'm terrified of the No. Well it doesn't seem like it cuz you just kind of propelled us into this and one day like we're doing this and then three days later we're, you know, recording our first podcast and we've got a website and everything else. And so I'd love what you're saying. Yes. Don't be scared.

Awesome. Chase after your dreams, right? Yes, absolutely. Thank you guys so much. This has been awesome. Thank you. Thank you. You're an amazing person. I see great things in your future, and I love your positive attitude in the way you're encouraging and bringing up other young actors. Playwrights and thank you.

Thank you for what you're doing. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And thank you guys for what you're doing and one little plug. Do it. Make sure to send your kids to Thedo Win Haven Academy summer camp cuz I'm gonna be one of the counselors there. Yeah. And I would love to work with your kids. Nice. I went to work with your kids.

And so yeah, this summer the With Haven Academy, do summer camp. We love summer camp . Love it. Love it. Thank you so much. I'll be there. Break a leg next week. Yes, break a leg. Absolutely. We can't wait to see. We're gonna follow you. Yes, absolutely. Take care guys. Thank you. Thank you.