Finding Helena: A new musical
The Team
Alexandra Conroy: writer, book / additional lyrics
“I was born in the wrong era.”
Growing up in NYC, Alexandra tried to see as many Broadway productions as possible while being a child actor herself. Always a story teller, she started writing very young with a musical in the 2nd grade and a movie in the 4th.
The idea for this story came to her as she began college, studying acting and writing for theater. She continued to hone the idea while getting her BFA, and acting in numerous stage, screen and television roles during and since graduating. Favorite Roles include Ms. Andrew in Mary Poppins and Duke Fredrik in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Can currently be seen in HBO’s Love and Death.
Ray Hoese: co-writer, book, music & lyrics
"The antidote to writer's block is dogs, bike riding and sun!”
Ray is a writer. Period. Or maybe a semicolon... His degree is in journalism but his first professional gigs included an NBC sitcom and The X-Files. Also an avid songwriter, it was only after separately writing hundreds of songs and thousands of pages of scripts that he joined Alexandra to help bring this story and its music to life.
Ray still has the violin his parents bought when they got him lessons in the fourth grade and he is most proud of raising children that love and play music for fun, which (as he says) is what music was meant for. Ray's other love is flying airplanes for fun and profit. And, of course, big, big dogs.
Richard Carey Ford: Producer
"True originality only happens after a lot of work that isn't very original.”
Richard is an ASCAP Award-winning composer and lyricist. His music and lyrics for musicals include ROCKSTAR WIDOW, THE BOY IN THE BOAT, THE PRISONER, and BOLTS OF MELODY. Other shows with Mark Wilder include VENTURE CAPITAL, WITH EYES OPEN, and THE INFINITE MONKEY THEOREM.
He has received commissions and grants from orchestras, arts councils, theaters, and soloists.
An experienced and innovative arts administrator, Richard has held positions at The Colony Theatre, Write Act Rep, Blue Angel Theatre, Pico Playhouse, Playwrights Horizons, and as artistic director of the Bloomington Playwrights Project where he produced over 100 plays by a diverse group of authors.
Sadly, he has yet to replace his canine co-producer who passed away during the pandemic, but the FH team is there for him.
Brian Baldwin: Executive Creative Consultant
"The only safe mirror is the theater.”
The theater has always been home for Brian. Coming from a family of musicians, artists, artisans, and the grandson of a renowned dancer. Under the mentorship of Tony Award winner Joseph A. Walker, his mentor at Rutgers, Brian received a scholarship to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Almost immediately after graduation he found himself performing on stage at Lincoln Center. Not long after, The Metropolitan Opera made an offer he couldn't refuse, starting his 16-year run as a full company member, staff Performer, and even earning title of fight captain.
When his first son was born a (not so) difficult choice was made to put his family first and relocate from New York to Texas. Now with two boys, Brian is excited and honored to contribute to this amazing work and return to his life's pursuit of theatrical art. He is also "provider" to three geriatric chihuahuas: Frijolito, Chela, and Peanut.
Shavonne Conroy: Producer
“Musical theater gives ordinary life extraordinary meaning.”
When New York calls, you answer. Shavonne got the call and made New York home for twenty years where she put her MFA in theater / voice to good use.
A gifted singer and actress, she was cast in many shows on and off Broadway, as well as network television (Law & Order, All My Children, David Letterman, Rescue Me, Guiding Light), in commercials, and voice-overs, including game of the year, "BIOSHOCK!" Shavonne is a massively organized people-mover which led her to many successes behind the curtains and cameras, producing small and large theatrical productions, events and large theme park shows including Hershey Park. She calls Texas home once again, and like her daughter, indulges an addiction to her five canine “babies”. #roverdose
Hal Smarkola, Col., USAF, Ret’d: Producer
“Any endeavor, done with passion, compassion and quality is a win.
And this show is a winner!”
A distinguished 30-year career in the military, first piloting T-38 jets and then serving as lead in the public affairs offices of the Pentagon, Hal knows his success comes from putting people first. Medals for valor and meritorious service are just a few of the many shiny things on his uniform when he retired.
Hal was responsible for thousands of service members around the world tasked with creating and producing radio, television and live entertainment for America's armed forces. A veteran of the Vietnam War and other conflicts, he is grateful to his country and the people who served along with him.
Hal’s role overseeing the Air Force’s public affairs, led to involvement with all forms of entertainment, including work with the LA Film office and the National Football League. His love of Broadway and musical theater led to involvement with this story. Hal also has a very personal connection to this story. His father, Harold Sr., was one of the WW II soldiers that liberated prisoners at the Dachau concentration camp just north of Munich, Germany in 1945.
On a lighter note, Hal names all his dogs Lucy.