Interview with Jeannine Taylor

I know that when I graduated, I was super excited about it. 

1. How did you feel when you graduated?   

   Happy and free! 

2. What are your thoughts about what's going on today?   

   Since I have no one in my family graduating, I have not thought much about it.  I do think it’s sad for those who will miss having a graduation ceremony.   

3. How would you have dealt with it if we had to miss our graduations?   

   No idea.

4. Did you have any thoughts on theatre at that time?  

   Nope  

5. If not, what drew you to it, etc.?   

   I really was not drawn to community theatre.  I went to support your dad and, surprisingly, I enjoyed it. 

6. Would you say that the arts are a good way for children, etc. to express themselves instead of becoming violent due to hate, etc.?   

   Of course.       

      I'm sure many are wondering about your being a mother of 4 and how you dealt with that. It could not have been easy!  

     I remember before our trip from WA. you fixed each of us something to keep us occupied.  

7.Do you have any advice for mothers today that may help them with keeping things in order?  

1. No, things have changed too much for me to give mothers advice these days.  My advice would be old fashioned and unappreciated. 

   • Everyone’s advice matters and most words are appreciated. We can all pick and choose what we learn from each other but in all honesty, we each have something to learn. We just need to look inside and find the strength to learn it. Every voice matters! As Marie Forleo says in this quote.

     You’re always being led to your highest power; as long as you have the courage to listen.

   8.What would you have done differently if we had the options at that time that are given today?  

   Quite frankly, I’m relieved we did not have the options that are available today.  I think, in most cases, they do more harm than good. 

   9.Would you have done anything differently?   

   Nope.  

     Moving on...  

10.Did any of us show any signs that we loved the arts before we started in theatre?   

Not really.  We tried to get you all interested in playing instruments and singing in a choir as well as singing as a family.  None of you showed a special interest in it that I recall. 

11. When we were still in WA. we were going to start singing together. Why didn't we?   

  Your dad tried to get the four of you interested in singing together but it didn’t work out. 

Working on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was so much fun! 

    12.What is your favorite memory from that time and musical?   

I enjoyed helping with it and meeting everyone but I really don’t have a favorite memory.  

13.We worked on a few musicals at that time. Would you say it was easy to balance theatre and life at home?   

It was no problem for me. I didn’t have lines to learn.

14.I know that it was for me but was it fun for you to work together?   

Yes, I had fun working backstage. 

     Later you were actually in a production of Smoke on the Mountain! That was amazing because you always seemed to love being back-stage most.   

15.You were very wonderful at it but why did you like backstage best?   

Thanks for the compliment but I have no desire to act.  I simply did that part in Smoke on the Mountain because the director, Jeff Hall, wanted me to.

 Even years later, I must admit that those years were the best of my life!  

16. I know that everyone in the arts will be in my heart forever.  Looking back what would be your favorite musical memory from those times?    

 Although I didn’t help with it, my favorite musical show was The Fantasticks.  I enjoyed making friends too.  

    17.Would you say those we spent time with, shared smiles and jokes with became our theatre family?  

I believe most folks in the cast and crew refer to everyone as their theatre family. 

 18.If we were to run into any of them today, what would be your reaction?  

 I do still run into them occasionally.  I think I have the same reaction anyone does when they run into a friend they haven’t seen in a while.  It’s always nice to see them and catch up a little.  

19. If we had a reunion for the casts of different musicals from that time do you think it would bring a smile to people’s faces? 

I can’t speak for others but I would think so.  It would be difficult to get people together though. Many have moved away, and everyone is so busy these days. 

20. If there were a reunion would you go to it? 

Not sure, it depends.  I would hate to miss it. 

21. Do you think anyone else would attend or be interested in it? 

No idea. 

     When working back-stage we would wear black so that we would not be as easily seen. 

     I made this collage to share and celebrate that. 😊   

Comments, questions, suggestions or interests in being intereviewed!? Contact: angela@angelasartarea.com

Until next time!

Namaste,

Angela