Carol-Lynn Campbell![]() Born, Mid-century, the first half of a twinset. Enjoyed childhood. UCLA Art and Music. Long Beach Civic Light Opera. Married. Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Architectural lighting job. Two incredible sons. Volunteered, home-schooled, Thousand Oaks Cabrillo Music Theatre. At times deliriously happy. Husband’s mid life crisis. Marriage counseling. Divorced. Children grown. Transitioning into new life. IT’S JUST MY LIFE.
Phoebe Carter![]() Phoebe Carter has written and recorded comedy and pop music heard on radio stations across the country, including the Dr. Demento show. Her songs have been featured on TV shows and performed in cabarets by other artists. She's done stand-up comedy throughout the U.S., TV audience warm-up and entertained tens of thousands as an online host. She has released a full-length pop album and produced and directed two comedy music videos and one pop music video. She is so happy to be performing along with the other women storytellers in “It’s Just My Life” for which she wrote the show’s opening theme song.
Keli Daniels![]() Keli hails from the great Dairy State of Wisconsin. Her background in comedy and improv comes in handy with her work in TV, commercials and theatre. She can currently be seen in a multitude of commercials as well as the TV shows Parks and Recreation, Switched at Birth, Scandal and Disneys' Dog with a Blog. Keli's voice is also commonly heard in voiceovers for TV and radio. She has discovered her singing voice and can be heard around town singing at many Cabarets with her electric Ukulele. She is married, has two children and is currently in pre-production on a one woman show based on her life as a mom and an actress in LA. Keli hopes to someday return to her roots in synchronized swimming.
Ali Deyer![]() Born and raised in Pasadena, Ali has always enjoyed the art of storytelling and is excited to be performing in the Hollywood Fringe Festival with this talented group of ladies. Most recently she performed the lead in Proof, right here at The Lounge Theater. Some other favorite roles include Susie Monahan in Wit, New York City Woman in I Love You, Because and the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet. She would like to thank Kathy for asking her to be brave and share a piece of her life with the audience. Much love to DCM.
Nadine El Khoury![]() Born in Lebanon in the midst of the civil war, Nadine learned to block the war out of her mind by playing chess in bomb shelters and reenacting scenes from movies with her girlfriends. She and her family moved to the US when she was 15. Nadine received a B.A. degree in film production from Cal State Los Angeles and has directed and produced a documentary about Lou Gehrig's disease which is now in film festivals. She sings with The Wowse, a Folk and Alternative Rock band.
Mary Kincaid![]() Mary Kincaid’s relationship with story began as a little girl reading Archie comic books and Nancy Drew mysteries. Today, she consults with Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, non-profits, and New York Times bestselling authors who want to strategically use story to grow their brands. She speaks and trains on storytelling nationwide and is an in-demand coach for CEOs and entrepreneurs developing keynote speeches and TEDx talks. Learn more at http://www.marykincaid.com
Jacquelyn Levy![]() Jacquelyn Levy is a Dramalogue, NAACP Image Award, Pati Award, Carnival Cruise Line Passenger Talent Show winning entertainer who has performed extensively in theater, film, and cabaret. Having successfully donned the hats of Singer, Actor, Voice Over Artist, Director, Producer and Stage Manager, she has also enjoyed performing in Argentina, Spain, Rome (the Vatican & St. Peter's Basilica), China, Holland & Ireland with the L.A. Episcopal Chorale Society. You can catch her one woman, cabaret birthday show, “Lady With A Song” any given June at THE GARDENIA supper club in West Hollywood.
Having trained extensively at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, Gary Imhoff’s Musical Artists Workshop; a graduate of the U.S.C. School of Journalism & Theater Arts and Columbia School of Broadcasting (specializing in voice-overs), Jackie maintains: “I have fought a good fight … I have kept the faith … and I still believe I can fly !!!” Gaye Lowenstein![]() Gaye was born and raised in New Jersey. She headed to Napa, CA after college in the mid-80s to work in the wine industry. After a couple of years, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in financial services. Gaye’s career has taken many twists and turns and her passion is educating people about wealth so that they can become and, more importantly, feel financially secure.
Gaye has been a fan of IJML since its inception and is a lifelong friend of the creator of IJML, Kathleen Rubin. Gaye is honored to share her story and be part of the IJML cast alongside these beautiful, brave women. Katie McClendon![]() Katie Marie McClendon is a well-respected educator, speaker, author and entrepreneur. Born and Raised in South Central Los Angeles, Katie had all the odds stacked against her. She ended up a high school dropout, homeless, teenage mother of 3 children in an abusive relationship. Through much difficulty, Katie continued to think positive. Katie now has her degree in Child Development, holds a State of California Child Development Teacher Permit, and is a member of The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She is a Certified Professional Life Coach and a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor. She is also the Director of a non-profit organization called Women Achieving Success and the Author of a Book entitled Foreseeing Success. It is her life mission to help others turn their struggles into strength and their stress into success!!!
Dawn Medina![]() Dawn began her life of entertainment as a figure skater at age 4. Her debut role was a Lollipop Kid in "Wizard of Oz on Ice," where she fell, cried and peed during the performance. Things have gotten better since then. She has been a part of many productions, both on land and ice, without an accident. Thanks to Kathy, and all the amazing women, for making this daring experience a reality. Love you AAD!
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Kelly Meyersfield![]() Kelly Meyersfield is thrilled to be part of this cast of incredibly talented women. In addition to performing in It's Just My Life she tours the country with her husband, comedian Evan Wecksell, with their two person original musical, "College The Musical: A Musical About College." Kelly is mom to 6-year-old Beckett Sage, a budding superstar.
Sunita Param-Olazábal![]() Sunita Param-Olazábal was born in Malaysia (a product of the Peace Corps) raised in Buffalo, NY and schooled at the Boston Conservatory of Music. A job singing on the QE II’s world cruise led to a job as Miss New York State 1995 (Miss America Scholarship Pageant.) Sunita soon found herself in NYC living the life as an actress and singer. Work included Off-Broadway and Regional theatre, Television and Film. A move to Los Angeles in 2005 added wife, mother and private piano teacher to her roster of accomplishments. Sunita is honored to be a part of this incredible group of women.
Jule Rotenberg![]() Jule Rotenberg was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She studied dance for many years until a back injury forced her to re-evaluate her artistic pursuits. At that time, she turned to sculpture. Now, she is an exhibited and collected sculptor of figurative bronze sculptures, with sculptures in private collections in London, Los Angeles and as far away as Osaka, Japan. In 2008, "American Art Collector" magazine published an article on her and her sculptures. Jule sang as a child and as an adult always wanted to pursue it when she finally exchanged a sculpture for what turned out to be two years of singing lessons. Several years ago she formed a group of professional singers called Cabaret des Artistes and she regularly produces a musical cabaret in Hollywood and performs with them. She now has a 7-year old and is constantly, but blissfully, tired and searching for more time in the day.
Elizabeth Rubin![]() Liz is delighted to be a part of IT’S JUST MY LIFE. She is very proud of her daughter, Kathy who conceived of this project, directed it so skillfully and performs in it as well. Liz has appeared in various college and community theatrical productions through the years and professionally in commercials.
Kathleen Rubin![]() Kathleen Rubin sang opera in New York and Italy before becoming a vocal instructor in New Jersey and New York, where she taught for over 20 years. In the last few years she has discovered her passion for directing theater. Kathleen has collaborated on three plays with television writer and playwright R.J.Colleary; HAPPY FACE/SAD FACE, CANNIBALS and ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION. Other directorial projects include INSIDE OUT: A ONE PERSON SHOW IN TWO PERSONS, written and performed by Jody Vaclav and DID YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK?, the longest running one man show at The Beverly Hills Playhouse. IT’S JUST MY LIFE is a project conceived and directed by Kathleen Rubin in which an amazing group of women share their personal stories. First produced in 2011 at Katselas Theater Company as a part of KTC’s INKUBATOR series, IJML returned in 2013 as a monthly salon at the Santa Monica/Westside YWCA and as a part of the new arts program produced by Eighth Day Arts at Cat In The Lotus in Glendale. Special thanks to mentor Gary Imhoff and his MUSICAL ARTISTS WORKSHOP for the support and encouragement in defining and fulfilling artistic dreams.
Harriet Schock![]() Harriet Schock wrote the words and music to the Grammy-nominated #1 hit, "Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady" plus many songs for other artists, TV shows and films. She and her band were featured in Henry Jaglom’s film “Irene In Time” performing 4 of Harriet’s songs. She also scored two other Jaglom films. Harriet starred in the play “Just 45 Minutes From Broadway” which ran for 10 months in Santa Monica, and later re-created the role in Jaglom’s latest film of the same name. 4 of her songs were used in Karen Black's play, "Missouri Waltz" which played for 6 weeks in Hollywood and in Macon, Georgia. She co-wrote the songs for “The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking,” a Ken Annakin film, as well as the theme song for the PBS series, “Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks.” She has written the songs for "Last of the Bad Girls," a musical created by Diane Ladd as well as co-writing the songs for “Fairy Godmothers,” the musical. In 2007, L.A. Women In Music honored Harriet a Career Achievement and Industry Contribution award. She wrote the book Becoming Remarkable, for Songwriters and Those who Love Songs). She performs with her band in Los Angeles and teaches songwriting in person and online around the world. www.harrietschock.com.
Jody Vaclav![]() A native of Colorado, I moved to California after acquiring a degree in Neuro-Psychology where I worked for UCLA’s Neuro-Psychiatric Research Institute. Along with my varied working background, everything from Power Engineer, to Log home Contractor, to Assistant Art Director for Wheel of Fortune, I have also been an actor on stage and screen. Having come across a lack of parts that fit me exactly, I sat down and penned the one woman show, “Inside Out, a one person show in two persons”. “Inside Out…” is an autobiographical journey into my full life giving the audience an opportunity to see firsthand my journey along not only the path less traveled but also one that very few tread! For the world to see and hopefully understand my lifelong transition from Joe to Jody. I feel very honored to be part of “It’s Just My Life” alongside these talented women. I have always, and will continue, to live each moment to its fullest, looking forward to each day as a bright and new adventure!
Shari Walker![]() Shari Walker is a former foster youth who entered the foster care system at age fourteen. She graduated from California State University Northridge, and recently entered her first year at USC in the MSW program. Shari hopes to use her social work degree to write for television.
Prior to USC, she worked in Social Services for the Department of Children and Family Services for Los Angeles County. She is a renowned keynote speaker within LA County and currently sits on the Leadership Corp for both The National Foster Youth Institute (NFYI) Homeless Action Committee, steered by board member and U.S. Representative Karen Bass, and the Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC), steered by members of The Alliance for Children’s Rights. Shari has combined her experience as an emancipated foster youth with her passion for creating social change by spreading awareness of social justice issues through peer mentoring, youth advocacy and writing. |