Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Frances McGarry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Frances, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I have worked on numerous projects as part of my life evolution. I created an award-winning theatre high school program, earned my PhD to pursue teaching educational theatre on the graduate level. As an arts administrator, I created a conflict-resolution program on anti-bullying with three and four-year-olds. As Director of Instruction for Stephen Sondheim’s Young Playwrights Inc., I taught, trained, and hired professional playwrights to teach the art of playwriting in the classroom.
During the pandemic, I was angry and frustrated with the administrative mis-handling of the situation that so many people were mis-informed. It became my mission to share my belief in the supernatural gift of The Arts as a healing and transformative tool to spread the news of how people in The Arts helped to make our world a richer, deeper, kinder place to live. What started out as a way for me to creatively channel my convictions became an Amazon award-winning podcast. Simultaneously, I became keenly aware after Sondheim passed on, that I had an obligation to not have the innovative Write A Play Curriculum lapse into obscurity and so my latest project is to write the book on its legendary programs and pay tribute to Sondheim and its Artistic Director, Sheri M. Goldhirsch. I am a member of Pitch to Published online writers group. I have a completed book proposal and my ongoing project is submitting queries to literary agents for publication.
I am a working NYC-based actress and continue to hone my skillset by attending workshops and actor systems training. Auditions is another project that is exciting and extremely satisfying. I am represented at BMG and I am a proud member SAG-AFTRA and Equity.
Another project is to participate as an election volunteer in my community. I will be trained for the 2024 elections.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I believe the arts are our supernatural gift. It can open conversations and offer perspectives that might not have otherwise been explored.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Share stories of artists whose projects addressed political/societal issues to raise awareness of how the arts heals and opens conversations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://francesmcgarry.com/ https://firstonlinewithfran.com/
- Instagram: @FrancesMcGarry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstonlinewithfran
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesmcgarry/
- Twitter: @FrancesF.McGarry
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FrancesMcgarry
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5156328/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t98 https://www.facebook.com/frances.mcgarry.3
Image Credits
Steve Pisano