This collection consists of life histories of individuals who contribute to the local theatre community. Working with The Monterey County Theatre Alliance (MCTA), students interviewed people involved in theatrical productions as actors, directors, costume and stage designers, dancers, patrons, singers, educators and more. Narrators include long-term residents and newer arrivals to Monterey County.
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Interview with Terry Blum
Terry Blum and California State University, Monterey Bay
Terry Blum, born in Los Angeles, California on October 2nd, 1941, and moved to Monterey County in 1972 because she wanted to leave. So she packed her bags with her husband and kids and came here. While here she would become involved with the Monterey County Theatre Alliance, from working in the box office selling tickets to being invited to attend a board meeting, and by the end of the meeting being offered a secretary position. She is not only passionate for volunteering with the Alliance but is also involved in Rainbow Speakers, showing an intense passion for helping the LGBTQ+ community She’s shown a vast knowledge and deep passion for the art and she wishes for that to continue on and maybe the younger generations get involved as well.
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Interview with Karen Cusson (formerly Ken Cusson)
Karen Cusson and California State University, Monterey Bay
Named Kenneth Bruce Cusson, born in Los Angeles, California on May 17, 1950, my narrator has become an established figure in the theatre community of the Monterey area and spent several years on the board, and as president, of the Monterey County Theatre Alliance. Ken went to officer training school and became an officer with the Salvation Army in his 20s where he met his beloved wife Ruth, who passed on in 2017. After a lifetime of internal battle over gender, Ken made the decision to transition into an authentic life as Karen Cusson. Karen admired performance art early in life, and although she is an accomplished magician and trumpet player, she didn’t audition for an acting role until her forties. Since her first role, Sir Joseph Porter in H. M. S. Pinafore, she has been requested for numerous roles because of her strong operatic voice and stage presence. Karen is a pastor and executive director at Victory Mission in Salinas.
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Interview with Keith Decker
Keith Decker and California State University, Monterey Bay
Keith Decker was born into a military family on July 8th, 1946. A SAG-AFTRA actor and playwright, Keith resides in Carmel where he attended Carmel High School and first fell in love with theatre. As he continues to practice his craft, Keith hopes to be remembered for his dedication to theatre and soon “pass on the knowledge, the legacy, the approach to developing character” to new students.
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Interview with Walt deFaria
Walt deFaria and California State University, Monterey Bay
Walt deFaria has been involved in some form of theatre since he was seven years old, when he put lights on an upside-down card table and used his sister’s dolls as actors. Born in 1926 in Sacramento, California, Walt has traveled the United States through multiple stints in the armed services, including having a desk in the Pentagon. While stationed in New York, Walt received approval to write a column for The Armed Forces Press Service about the theatre. Walt eventually found his way incorporating the theatre into his many roles in television in Fresno and Burlingame, California. Walt has spent the last thirty years bringing family-friendly theatre to Monterey County. If given the chance, he’s ready to do one more show. The following excerpt is just one example of the colorful life Mr. deFaria has lived.
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Interview with Jacqueline Frazier
Jacqueline Frazier and California State University, Monterey Bay
Jacquie Frazier was born August 19, 1939 in Salford, England where she grew up before relocating to America. Jacquie spent much time as a nurse and midwife before moving to California with her late husband. Jacquie started stage managing in 1999 and managed over 46 productions with MPC, PacRep, The Western Stage, The Cherry Center for the Arts, The Forest Theater Guild and The Monterey Symphony.
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Interview with Jane Press
Jane Press and California State University, Monterey Bay
Jane Press was born on May 7th, 1950 in Brooklyn, New York. Her grandmother was a comedian, her uncle is an Emmy award winning actor, producer and director and her mother an amazing actress. Jane is no stranger to the world of theatre. Jane went to Estelle Harmon Actors Workshop in Hollywood. She owns her own theatrical company called Press the Button. She was an actress and does playwriting. Having created her own acting technique, Jane teaches courses to children from ages 5-12. A primary course was called Acting for the Stage, expressing “the art of playing the part of being a human being.” Jane has been involved with Magic Circle Theatre in Carmel Valley and was lead instructor at the Children's Experimental Theatre in Carmel for the last 5 years.