Art is useful because it promotes self-expression, self-awareness, and emotional validation. It serves as a way to communicate complex feelings, record history, and foster community and social connections. Art also has physical and mental health benefits, such as reducing stress and improving well-being, and can be a tool for social change and economic opportunity.
Meet Our panelists: David Armstrong is an American stage director, writer, producer, lecturer, educator and choreographer. He is best known for his work at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle where from 2000 to 2018 he served as the Producing Artistic Director and later as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director, and where he is currently the Artistic Director Emeritus. Read More: https://www.davidarmstrongproductions…
Ellen Matzer is a registered nurse (RN) and certified critical care nurse (CCRN) known for her pioneering work during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City. She is also the co-author of the memoir Nurses on the Inside: Stories of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in NYC. Follow Ellen on LinkedIn
Jane Seaman is an AEA veteran Broadway performer. She appeared with stars Patti Lupone, Leslie Uggams, Howard McGillin, Mandy Patinkin, Marin Mazzie, Danny Jenkins and John Goodman in Anything Goes, The Secret Garden, and Big River. Read More: https://www.mmm.edu/live/profiles/380….
Judy Simmons: Judy is a singer, actress, teacher, director and coach. She performed in Washington, DC for many years appearing at The Kennedy Center, Studio, Shakespeare, Signature, Ford’s, Smithsonian, and Everyman Theatres and many other venues. She is a noted cabaret performer who ran Cabaret series at various theatres and taught and directed cabarets. She also has created numerous original cabarets of her own. Judy taught Cabaret and core Theatre courses at American University, voice at Catholic University and was on the faculty of The Theatre Lab School of Dramatic Arts teaching Cabaret.
She was a founding member of The DC Cabaret Network and was the Executive Director for eight years. In 2011 she moved to Kansas City, MO where she continued her career performing at New Theatre, Starlight, KC Rep, Quality Hill Playhouse, Musical Theatre Heritage, Chestnut Fine Arts, Spinning Tree and more. She was privileged to work with the brilliantly talented Jeff Halpern on an original Cabaret, Pieces Of My Heart for the KC Fringe Festival. She also created another cabaret with Jeff titled, “Released For Good Behavior” featuring many original songs composed by Jeff about what life was like during the Covid 19 shut down of the world.
Lisa Viggiano is a vocalist, mindfulness meditation mentor, voice coach, and speech/voice/reading therapist. She has performed as a singer/actor since childhood, sharing the stage and screen with talents such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Tom Hanks, Rita Moreno, and Bonnie Raitt.
