Who I am and Why I write are shaped by the voices of those who have entrusted me with their soul-stories: Children abandoned, refugees imprisoned, stray dogs, magnificent moochers and crooked ear l...vizualizați mai multeWho I am and Why I write are shaped by the voices of those who have entrusted me with their soul-stories: Children abandoned, refugees imprisoned, stray dogs, magnificent moochers and crooked ear llamas. As a recipient of the Ky. Arts Council’s AL SMITH FELLOWSHIP for Artistic Achievement as a Screenwriter and/or Playwright, I write about Kentucky’s unlikely heroes, drawing from my first job (with a brilliant mentor, Al Smith) as director of the Ky. Bicentennial Oral History Project. Traveling Kentucky back roads, I gleaned stories about Winter Shakers and race horses switched and a little girl who grew up to become Madam Belle Brezing. I am a storyteller whose stories sculpt passion into award-winning stage-plays like BELLE BREZING (presented at the NY National Opera Theatre), DOVE AND DANDELION presented at Capitol Hill for members of the US Senate and House, and also produced into a hard-hitting film. Awarded a staged-reading at San Francisco’s Blue Bear Theatre, LOOKING FOR MRS. SANTA CLAUS raised awareness of condemned greyhounds. (Also a musical). Some honored screenplays include UNGENTLE TRUTH (produced film) and THE TEARS OF THE SILVER LIONS. (Nicholls quarter-finalist). MIRAGE, a finalist in the Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition and semi-finalist, top 2% AFF and Nashville Film Festival. My education (Northwestern University, UK Law School, Queens College, Cambridge University – International Law study, and American Film Institute, Advanced Screenplay Writing) gifted me with empowering teachers. My family gifted me with the spirit of resilience, strong roots and the magic of words whispered louder than all the rejections – “Chase your dreams.” To those who have inspired, believed in my writing and held me in their Light, I am deeply grateful.vizualizați mai puține