COMPOSER | LYRICIST - Curtis Rhodes began playing the piano by ear when he was five years
old. After years of participating in choirs, bands and theatre ventures, he began seriously writing music
while studying acting at the Professional Actors Conservatory. Ironically, his first foray into composition
was incidental music for JM Barrie’s play "The Admirable Crichton," which is the source material for "A
Proper Place." Since then, he has written other works for the stage, including specialty numbers for various
productions and the 1930's screwball musical "A Holiday in Hollywood" in which he wrote libretto, score and
lyrics. He has also written many piano solos, choral works and pieces for chamber ensembles, most notably,
“The Amherst Cycle,” a song-cycle using the poetry of Emily Dickenson. Based in Los Angeles, he has
worked as an actor and/or music director with: Grove Shakespeare Festival, PCPA Theatrefest, West Coast
Ensemble, Western Stage, Cabrillo Music Theatre and Open at the Top. He has also been a member of the Academy
Rep Company, part of the Academy of New Musical Theatre (ANMT), dedicated to work-shopping and developing new
musicals.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS INCLUDE: What is the secret is to maintaining your focus when your pursuing a career as
a composer? What is the difference between the job of a musical director and a composer? What are some jobs
in the music industry for composers/writers? How is music chosen for television and film?
WEBSITES:
AProperPlaceTheMusical.com
BeckerAndRhodes.com
