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I have been involved in theatre my entire life. I literally can't remember a time before I had ever been onstage. I also can't remember a time that I wasn't looking forward to my next chance to be there. When I was a child, I acted and sang in church cantatas and skits. I also recited

D I R E C T O R

Mr. and Mrs. Walsh. I'm guessing you can tell which is which :-)

poetry for school talent shows. It wasn't until I reached Ridgeland High School that I got the chance to take part in my first real play. That play was Arsenic and Old Lace, and I was hooked. I quickly found that I had talent in this area, and it wasn't long before God showed me a place to use it for Him. When I was 15 years old, I founded the Fort Oglethorpe UMC drama team. That was my first directing experience, and it was...interesting, to say the least. I learned a great deal over the next three years, and my senior year, I got to direct the church's Easter Cantata. When I left for college, I had no doubt what my major would be. When I reached LaGrange College, it was culture shock. I was coming from a place where I was considered an amazing actress. I had been told for years that I was the best actress in the school. I tried not to let it get to my head, but when you hear something often enough, it gets through whether you realize it or not. After two days in LaGrange, I knew I was no longer the big fish in the pond, and I found that I loved being around so many people who knew more than me. I thought I had learned a great deal in my three years directing the church drama team, but that was nothing compared to how much I learned in my first year at LaGrange. I not only learned a wealth of information that could help me in my art. I also learned what it was like to work with an entire cast and crew that took theatre as seriously as I did.  For the first time in my life, I was among kindred spirits. We stayed up late into the night discussing playwrights, musicals, and dramatic interpretation. I practically lived at the theatre, showing up often before 8am and not leaving until nearly midnight, and I loved every minute of it. While I loved life at LaGrange College, it eventually came time for me to leave. I left school, found a job, and met my husband. I was enjoying this part of my life, but I didn't feel complete away from the theatre. Unfortunately, there just wasn't time to get involved with the Chattanooga Theatre Centre while I was working, and when I got married and quit my job, we moved too far for it to be practical. I tried to convince myself that I could live without theatre. Then a wonderful thing happened. My husband, Gene Walsh, took over the drama club. From the first, I begged to be allowed to direct a play. I was incredibly excited by the idea of directing a full length production somewhere other than church. After he realized, that he really had no expertise in the realm of theatre, I was allowed to take his place, and this is where you find me now. I am far beyond content or even ecstatic...I am home.