D. Michael O’Dell / Artist Statement
I once had a telling dream where I was on a darkened theatre stage. The memory and potency of the dream has proved to be a powerful confirmation of my journey, both professionally and personally.
From center stage, with the soft illuminating glow of a ghost light, I had the vantage point of looking in any direction to take in the quiet skeleton of the theatre after everyone had gone home for the night. With a sudden strike of awareness, I could simultaneously sense all perspectives of the mechanics of how the now quiet theatre became alive with patrons, orchestra, actors, and ultimately, a memorable theatrical experience. In that moment, I completely understood the journey I was on. In that dream, I became aware of how everything was connected; from how the box office operated to how the rigging system operated to fly scenery in and out, to how the orchestra tuned before the curtain went up. All theatrical components related to and depended on everything else for how it completed its function. And in that dream, I knew this made a complete picture that I understood intellectually but I also understood with my heart.
And in that dream, as I slowly turned around to face upstage, my focus brought me to the back wall of the stage. It was an unglamorous, unassuming dark brown, somewhat lackluster brick wall stretching from stage level to high above into the fly space - the kind of wall one sees in a traditional Broadway house that was built in the early 1900s. I knew in an instant that the wall was a personal symbol for me. One might see this ordinary brick wall as just that. But I knew it was representational of a journey I was on. Yes, a wall can be a barrier, but I knew in an instant this wall was a visual ladder. I knew each brick represented a specific skill, theatrical memory, rehearsal experience, rewarding performance, frustrating creative conundrum, or a small moment of me practicing my craft. Each brick, strategically placed among the other bricks, played an important part in supporting the structure of the wall. But this wasn’t a wall, it was my career, my life, my journey.
Today, I am a working multi-talented musician, composer, lyricist, and playwright living in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen. From attending BerkleeNYC, to being a piano entertainer and jazz pianist at NYC piano bars, to being a second year participant as a composer and lyricist in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, to being a sought after collaborative pianist in academia and music venues, I am still diligently building my wall. And every brick is important and counts.
And every musical note I’ve ever played, every lyric I’ve ever expressed, every instrument I’ve ever orchestrated, every word of dialogue I’ve ever written, every stage direction I’ve ever clarified, and every burst of inspiration I've ever had continues to propel me increasingly forward to creating the best I can possibly give.