Call-Back with Geoffrey Short: Rebecca

Monday, January 23, 2012

Rebecca

This post was was going to be about something completely different. And then I performed with my band The Avenue at a wedding last night and I met Rebecca.

Rebecca was on the dance floor all night although I can’t say she actually danced much. She was enthralled by the band. She loved the music and seemed fascinated by all of us performing it. She literally stood right in front of me all night long.

Rebecca is just a kid. Probably 14 or 15 and she is autistic. She was there for the wedding of a relative but all she wanted to do that night was sing with the band. She loves music. She assured me time and time again that she knew all the words to “Baby” by Justin Bieber. And even though that song isn’t on the band’s playlist, I called her up to join the band a few times during the night to help us sing whatever party dance song we were playing at the time. She seemed so excited when I handed her the microphone. Her family loved seeing her have fun and the crowd loved it.

I just kept thinking that I hoped we offered her even the slightest bit of encouragement to follow her musical dreams despite whatever obstacles might be waiting for her. How little effort it took on my part to make her the center of attention for a few minutes every now and then.

And then I had another thought. I have been blessed with so many good things. I don’t do nearly enough to give back to my community or to the world in general. Like many entertainers I often suffer from an inflated ego and sense of self-importance. Ironically, this often stems from raging insecurities. It’s long past time for me to take the focus off myself and my challenges and focus more on others.

I would love to find ways to make music work to help other people & causes (beyond my normal for-profit ventures). I could donate my DJ services. I could help encourage others to explore their love of music and develop their talents. I could help plan a fundraiser. I could.... I will stop being so self-centered.

Hearts are big in the DJ community and I know many DJs are way ahead of me on this one. How are you using your DJ/MC talents and experience to make your community a better place?

I’m so glad my band got the chance to jam with Rebecca last night. It would be so cool to see her making her own music some day.

Rock on Rebecca.

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ABOUT GEOFF

Geoff produces and hosts the video series "CALL-BACK", focused on local community theatre.

Geoff is also the producer of STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theatre Program. "STAGES"is a documentary series that follows the stories of the students and teachers of the acclaimed Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre Program led by Victoria Bussert. STAGES gives viewers unprecedented access to this exclusive program that draws the very best talent from around the country to this small private college in Berea, Ohio (just southwest of Cleveland). Graduates of this program often go on to careers on Broadway. Learn more about Baldwin-Wallace College at www.bw.edu. See other theater video documentary series from Geoff Short at www.youtube.com/CallBackCleveland.

STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program

Geoff has spent his career in television, radio, print and online advertising, sales and marketing. He has been responsible for the local advertising, branding and promotions for some of the biggest companies in the country including Wal-Mart, The Cleveland Clinic and McDonald's.

Geoff has also spent a lifetime in the performing arts. He is a singer, actor, director and songwriter who has performed in musical theater, pop groups and other performing groups since he was 10 years old. He has written music for radio and television as well as the stage and his jingles and parodies have been heard frequently on Cleveland airwaves.

In 2013, Geoff Directed Jesus Christ Superstar at Brecksville Theatre on the Square. In 2010 Geoff directed Gypsy at Brecksville Theater on the Square. In the 2009 season Geoff Directed the musical City of Angels at Brecksville Theater on the Square and Oklahoma! at Huntington Playhouse. In 2008 Geoff directed the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical revue Some Enchanted Evening at Huntington Playhouse in Bay Village, Ohio and Assassins with the Berea Grindstone Players at the Cassidy Theatre in Parma Heights, Ohio. Geoff also directed the musicals Violet and Dreamgirls both in 2007 and at the Cassidy Theatre. He has appeared in many area musical theater productions most recently in the musical revue The World Goes Round at Brecksville Theater on the Square. Other productions include Five Guys Named Moe (Big Moe, Beck Center) and Cassidy Theatre productions including Godspell, Carousel (Billy Bigelow), Ain't Misbehavin' ("Ken), Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.), Cats (Old Deuteronomy) and as The Voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Geoff also appeared in the 2007 Cleveland Playhouse Club cabaret Motown! and in 2006 developed his own musical cabaret act for Playhouse Square’s Cleveland Cabaret Project.

Geoff is proud to have served for two years as the Board President of Cassidy Theatre, Inc. and also served on the board of the Cooperative Alliance of Medina Entertainment Organizations.

Geoff has been the co-host of the weekly on-air television segment Cheap Date at seen on WKYC TV3’s Good Company program and is also currently one of the lead singers for the band The Avenue.