Latest Project…

The Perfect Arrangement by Topher Payne

Elmwood Playhouse, Nyack, NY

January 2026

Starting the year off with a bang. I have been so busy producing theater these last few years that I had not gotten on a stage myself. Well, that has changed with this production. This play is a fast paced comedy/drama about a very real event in US history. It’s 1950 and J Edgar Hoover and Truman have decided that MacCarthy’s Red Scare was not enough for government to deal with so they started the Lavender Scare.

For those of you who don’t know a task force was created to find government workers who could be a threat to national security because of their sexual orientation. This began the gay rights civil movement in America. I am fortunate to play Barbara Grant, an unapologetic bisexual foreign translator who has been brought back to Washington to be questioned. I don’t want to spoil it for you so I will stop there.\

I have had so much fun getting back to performing on stage. I love the rush of an audience, then electric energy backstage and the community you build when you do live theater. No do overs, no extra takes like on film and TV. It was also nice to be held up by an incredible director and production team. I was able to “turn off” that part of my brain and just create the magic on stage.

This life is a crazy ride and you just need to make sure you are holding on tight so you can stick with it. I don’t take for granted the blessings I have been given to live an artists life. I just want to keep on creating and providing space for others and their talents. So cheers! Let 2026 be electric.