My Voice Carries

My voice carries.

I don’t even realize it most of the time, but when I get excited about something, or I believe strongly in what I’m trying to get across, or even when I find something really funny, I use my outside voice.

My poor parents. They spent a lot of my childhood riding that fine line between encouraging me to develop a healthy sense of self and letting me know that maybe I should take it down a few notches. It was a painful process for me to learn to use my inside voice more than my outside voice, but I did, and most of the time now I don’t inappropriately ring out . . . most of the time.

On the other hand, my outside voice has taken me to some pretty awesome places. I will never forget the exhilaration that swept through me as I stood in the wings ready to make my first entrance as the lead on a Broadway tour. I had a fleeting, giddy thought at the exact moment those warm lights drew me on stage: nobody is shh-ing me now!

I cherish the opportunities I have had to use my outside voice. There is power there—a conviction and a joy. I like helping others find this freedom.

Today, I don’t spend much time in the spotlight. Now I get my kicks out of leading students to the dark side—encouraging them to use their outside voices. There are a lot of us now letting our voices ring in the basement theater at Red Rocks Community College. It’s a magical place.

The most exciting experiences of my life have been witnessing a performer find the real jewel of their voice underneath blankets of fear—fear of standing out, fear of embarrassment, fear of not doing it “right,” fear of their own power. I live for the days when my students own up to their talents and use their outside voices. It’s thrilling.

Lately, I’ve come to a new realization: maybe today my own outside voice is exactly what I need to unleash again. Maybe I’ve taken quiet, proper behavior a little too far. It might just be time to take the damper off this bell and let her ring again in a different way.

This site was built to document my 2025 sabbatical. The mission of my sabbatical is to write an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook for Theatre Appreciation. I’m excited about this opportunity for equity, removing barriers students face when dealing with ridiculous textbook costs. You will find that journey within this blog.

But I have a hunch (or a hope) this site will become much more. Releasing your voice is a radical act. I’m here to encourage it! I hope we can become a community of rebels who witness and take advantage of the power of the performing arts.