I'm very proud of Zachary James
He wrote me this moving recommendation
nominating me for the Kennedy Center Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Awards
“You should audition for the musical.” While it had been a fantasy of mine for as long as I could remember, I never imagined I would step foot on a stage and was very surprised by this direct invitation that came from Mr. Pennington. I was a band geek and a life-long pianist, but hadn’t opened my mouth to sing since Elementary school chorus. I explained that I didn’t really sing, that I had never acted and wasn’t sure I could handle the schedule of doing a show with my other extra-curricular activities. “Audition. You can sing “Happy Birthday”.” Mr. Pennington had painted me into a corner. I had no choice.
The show was Grease. I auditioned with my best “Happy Birthday” and the next day was shocked to read the cast list and find my name for the role of Roger. Somehow, I skipped paying dues, skipped learning to act and sing, skipped the chorus and had been given a role.
I wish I could say I was naturally talented and gave a great performance, but the fact is (and the video exists as proof), I was terrible. I couldn’t stand still while speaking, I couldn’t sustain a phrase and I certainly couldn’t find the center of any pitch with my unruly teenage voice. But I was hooked. The feeling of being on stage sweating under the hot lights in front of hundreds of people, this was the most exhilarating feeling I had ever had.
Mr. Pennington didn’t tell me how awkward I was on stage or reprimand me for never singing the right notes. Instead, he encouraged me to audition for the next show. He wrote me letters of recommendation and found me a scholarship to attend a theatre camp. He took me to see shows at the nearest professional theatre. He gave me piles of music to learn, told me I had to join chorus and show choir and helped me raise money for opportunities I couldn’t afford.
Slowly, I got better and Mr. Pennington kept giving me opportunities. In just a couple short years, he gave me chances to be on stage constantly. I learned new skills, learned to sing, attended camps and clinics and experienced emotions I did not know I was capable of through performing and sharing music.
It’s now almost twenty years since Mr. Pennington changed the course of my life by asking me to audition for the musical. I have originated in three Broadway shows, several off-Broadway shows, performed on the Tony Awards, the Macy’s Parade and David Letterman. The kid who couldn’t sing has gone on to sing opera all over the world and have opportunities I never could have dreamed of. I know with confidence that I never would have had this great life on the stage if Mr. Pennington hadn’t seen something special in me. He took the time.
