Spotlight: Amy Garson
Amy Garson grew up participating in several musical theatre productions at Fairmount. We recently reconnected with her, and she shared some of the amazing things she’s been up to and some of her fondest memories of her time at Fairmount!
“Currently I live in Bloomfield, NJ with my husband Patrick and two daughters, Quinn 11, and Mallory, 6. My younger daughter Mallory is on the spectrum, and we feel very happy she will grow up in such an inclusive community here. New Jersey has so much available for Autism assistance, and the teachers are fantastic.
I am currently a screenwriter. All my life I was an actress, and after college at Ohio University, I moved to NYC, and began stand up comedy. I was in one off broadway musical (Lysistrata, the Musical) around age 23, however it was stand up comedy where I focused my work.”
“I performed in the city for about 8-12 years, the last two of those years were spent putting together hour long comedy shows at the Laurie Beechman Theater. (Five Finger Discount, The Garsinio Hall Project, and Chameleon). I also booked a commercial or two during all of this.”
“Once I had two children, we'd moved to NJ, the world was very different, and I became different. I felt compelled to write so much more than perform. I began to teach myself how to write for tv and film. I began discovering through all the research and work done between taking kids places and cooking and cleaning and trying to be a good person, exactly what format I enjoyed and which genre was my vibe- spoiler alert- it's comedic thrillers!
Now I am still unpublished, but I have a catalog of screenplays with producers requesting scripts and a few scripts placing in competitions- it's the most fun work I've ever had in my life! Finally learning how to write technically for tv and film is a daunting task, but it has changed the game, certainly for me.
Also, while my daughters are at school, I walk dogs all day! It has really been helpful for my creativity. I tell these dogs everything, they know all my secrets and story ideas! It also has kept me outside so much more- as a writer, I'm usually inside at my computer, so it's a really nice juxtaposition!”
Looking Back:
“I have always been a creative person, mostly a storyteller. I just enjoy performances, stories, opening up people's minds to show them yours. Certainly Fairmount was the beginning of my love for this kind of community. I moved to town in 6th grade, and had really no friends at my school. I went to Fairmount to be in a show. I'd done like 3 musicals at Heights Youth Theatre, and I really liked being on stage, so when we moved, my mother found a new space for me, and that space was Fairmount. Once I was in my first show there, I made a million friends. I had found my tribe! I continued to be part of Fairmount Theatre until I left for college! It was such a welcoming and happy place.”
What is your fondest memory of Fairmount?
“My fondest memory at Fairmount, though there are SO MANY, is when Patti read the cast list for Peter Pan, and I was Peter Pan!”
How did your arts education at Fairmount prepare you for your professional career? What skills or experiences did you gain that were most valuable?
“I would say mostly, Fairmount kept me working my artistic muscles. If there was a play going on there- I was in it! The other kids were my best friends and we talked about theatre all day and night! When you are around like minded people, it's an invaluable support. I think that taught me I will always get along with artists, and that is usually who I seek out in any situation!”
If you could only use one word to describe your experiences at Fairmount, what word would you choose and why?
“Therapeutic. I don't think it can be said enough that community and inclusion is the most important thing for a child. I was not feeling either of those things when I first went there fall of '91 (either summer or fall...?) and Fairmount changed the trajectory of my entire life for the better.”
What sort of advice or life lessons would you share with current Fairmount students or recent alumni of Fairmount?
“You can do anything you want, but you have to be willing to play the long game to attain many parts of that dream! Patience, focus, determination and honestly- hard work. A lot of work! Research, research, research! Lastly, lots will change as life goes on, if you feel like you're losing your dreams at any point, just very slightly pivot. I've found if I just do one different thing I wouldn't normally do for a goal, it opens up many other doors, bringing more ideas and stream of consciousness.”
