I am a queer New York-based musical theatre actor/composer + lyricist, born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, in a Southern Baptist home. I learned from a young age that if I were to come out, I was not going to be accepted within my family, town, or school. But when I found theatre, I realized I could be anything or anyone I wanted to be. I went to a private Christian school from K-11th grade, but in 11th grade, after saving up + working for years, I attended Interlochen Arts Academy. Here, I found therapy through the practice rooms. I found that writing was my way to navigate the emotions of my upbringing, and release them into songs. My music style is influenced by a sense of otherness, and a branching out of normalcy. I work very hard to make art that impacts the world, and provides voices for those who are not easily able to express themselves, specifically the LGBTQIA+ community.

Most recently, my song cycle Her Sound had a sold out show at Joe’s Pub in October 2022, under the direction of Sammi Cannold (EVITA) and Mary McGowan (How To Dance in Ohio). Her Sound is a song cycle that re-imagines ancient stories of women in a new light: what would their stories really have been? A show of love, sex and injustice. During the pandemic, Her Sound’s concept album was remotely recorded, produced by Ryan Scott Oliver and Thousand Faced Theatre Company, and features Alysha Umphress, Krysta Rodriguez, L Morgan Lee, Jo Lampert, Jeanna de Waal, Eleri Ward and many more incredible artists. Currently, I am working on a new full-length musical, Goliath. Goliath follows Andrew, a recently out gay man in a pre-law program (and from a very religious family) who is forced to go to a gay conversion camp and “become” straight, at risk of losing his parents’ tuition money. It’s a story about embracing your true identity, fighting for good in the wake of hopelessness, and the complicated nature of justice, truth, and salvation. I am writing the music + lyrics, and my incredible writing partner, Cassidy Layton, writing the book. We believe Goliath has a message that needs to be heard right now, as our world continues to re-evaluate what justice and liberty for all means. Goliath had a 29-Hour Reading in December of 2023, and 2 demos are currently streaming wherever you listen to music!

On stage, I was recently seen touring in the limited engagement run of Waitress,directed by Diane Paulus, in the ensemble and Ogie cover. I have worked regionally at wonderful theatres such as The Gateway Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, Theatre SilCo and more. Pace MT graduate. @theethancarlson