"No Matter What, You Cannot Lose Hope!" - Chatting with Sarah Philabaum
It is my complete honor to introduce you to Sarah Philabaum. This multi-talented artist is currently the director and choreographer for The Marvelous Wonderettes at The Myers Dinner Theatre in Indiana. Sarah has been performing her entire life, and ever since she received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia, she has been traveling the country working on her craft on and off the stage. Sarah has worked with companies such as Nebraska Theatre Caravan, The National Theatre for Children, Bright Star Touring Theatre, The Little Theatre on the Square, The Round Barn Theatre, Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse, Maples Repertory Theatre, Great Plains Theatre, Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre just to name a few. Sarah is also the host of "There's No People Like Show People" which is a podcast that connects and reconnects the theatre community, inspires hope, and strives to help people not feel so alone.
Sarah Philabaum and I have been working on shows together for so long that it is more like breathing than rehearsal. - says Myers Dinner Theatre Artistic Director Jeremy Littlejohn . I think Sarah is the true embodiment of perseverance and is a true inspiration to so many around her. She is a complete joy to know and work with. Not to mention, her daughter is absolutely adorable. I am so happy to have the chance to feature Sarah!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer? And when did directing and choreography come into the picture?
I knew that I wanted to be a performer from a very early age. I started taking dance classes when I was four years old and started taking acting classes and voice lessons soon after. I performed in my first musical when I was six, playing the balloon girl in Gypsy. From there, the rest is history! All throughout elementary, middle, and high school I was constantly taking classes or working on shows.
Then in high school, I started teaching classes at my dance studio. There was never a question about what degree I was going to pursue in college: BFA Musical Theatre all the way. It wasn't until I started working at The Round Barn Theatre where my career started to shift into Directing and Choreographing. The first professional Mainstage show that I choreographed was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. And from there on I turned into Performer/Director/Choreographer/Teacher. I became the Director of Education at The Little Theatre on the Square where I was so fortunate and grateful to work with kids but also get to direct, choreograph, and perform!
Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing artist you are today?
I have had so many inspiring teachers throughout my life, but I would have to say the one teacher that really helped me the most was my college voice teacher, Dr. Ogg. She was incredible! At the time, she was in her seventies and had traveled around the world singing Opera. Whenever I would come to my voice lesson each week, it was like part therapy session and part singing lesson. She was so funny, down-to-earth, and really passionate about teaching and helping young people to succeed. I honestly don't know if I would've gotten through college without her! The vocal technique that she taught me I still practice and use today to keep my voice nice and strong and healthy.
We are living in some unprecedented times in the world but are very fortunate right now to see a light at the end of the tunnel. For all artists, it has definitely been a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?
Ah yes, the pandemic. Honestly, 2020 was the most painful year of my entire life. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was taking care of my 10-month-old baby and working full time. The theatre I was working at has now been closed for an entire year, leaving me without a full-time job. Then, my Mother passed away. Then, my Grandmother passed away. Then, the biological father of my child left us, and I became a single Mom. It was the rock bottom of my entire life because I felt like a lot of things were taken from me that were completely out of my control. I was very fortunate to be able to work on a few shows throughout all of this, which was one of the only things that made me feel normal. And then, one day in the middle of The Little Mermaid rehearsal I said out loud "I'm going to start a podcast in hopes of reconnecting the theatre community and to help people not feel so alone."
And so, I did it! Our first episode of "There's No People Like Show People" aired on September 1st. Creating and recording the podcast has really kept my spirits up throughout all of the hardships because it's reminded me of the strength and resiliency of theatre people all over the world. I've also been very busy taking care of my daughter, who is almost 2! Taking care of Sophie every day has given me such a strong sense of purpose. So basically, my quarantine routine has been taking care of a baby and recording a podcast, with working on a few musicals thrown into the mix!
From directing to choreographing to performing, you have truly conquered all three realms beautifully. Are there any shows that you have respectively directed, choreographed, or performed in that will always stick out and be near and dear to you?
Thank you! Oh wow, SO many. It's really tough to narrow it down, but a few special shows definitely stand out. In terms of performing, I would have to say Sister Act. It's such a fantastic show. When it comes to Directing and Choreographing, I would say Mamma Mia and Little Women. Mamma Mia was the first full show that I directed and choreographed after I had the baby, and let me tell you, it was 5 weeks after I had an emergency C-section, and there I was being a Dancing Queen!
Little Women was the first show that I did right after my Mom had passed away. I cried through the entire rehearsal process and my cast was right there with me holding the box of tissues. It's easy to show up for people in times of joy but it's the people who show up for you when you're grieving, those are your people. Those small actions of thoughtfulness, love, and care are things that you'll never forget.
What advice would you give any young aspiring artists during these times?
I think Marmee from Little Women puts it best in her song "Days of Plenty." She sings: "You have to believe there is reason for hope. You have to believe that the answers will come. You can't let this defeat you. I won't let this defeat you." No matter what, you cannot lose hope. Theatre will be back. And in the meantime, use this time to do something that you've always wanted to do or create something that you've always wanted to create. The world always needs to see and hear the special gifts that only you have to offer. Keep imagining, moving, creating, breathing, dancing, singing, loving, and believing. Keep the faith and never give up. No matter what.
To learn more about Sarah please visit her official website at - https://www.sarahphilabaum.com; to check out her Podcast make sure you visit - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/theres-no-people-like-show-people/id1529949046; and to learn more about her upcoming production of The Marvelous Wonderettes make sure you visit - https://myersdt.com