About Me
I was born and raised in New Rochelle, New York, and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1972. Two years later I relocated to Alexandria, Virginia, to begin my career in the field of education. I taught fifth and sixth grade for nineteen years and middle school mathematics for five years; after that I was a technology coordinator for eight years. I retired from Alexandria City Public Schools in October 2006 while continuing at my part-time job with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where I began working in 2002.
Links to my online photo albums may be found on the next page.
Contact me at the following email address: joel1950dc at yahoo dot com
(last updated: 17 November 2024)
Education
Elementary school: Trinity School, New Rochelle, New York
Junior high school: Isaac E. Young Junior High School, New Rochelle, New York
High school 1968: New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, New York
Bachelor's degree 1972: The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Post-graduate: University of Virginia and George Mason University
Master's degree 1994: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
Theatre
I've been interested in live theatre since my eleventh birthday. While I've never wanted to appear onstage, theatre has been an integral part of my life. Therefore here are some shows that for one reason or another stand out in my mind as theatrical events that touched me deeply (in no particular order):
Hamilton - Pure genius
A Chorus Line - One singular sensation
Equus - Why did Alan gouge out the eyes of six horses?
Rent - No day like today
M. Butterfly - Panned in Washington D.C. but went on to win the Tony Award for Best New Play on Broadway
Cabaret - Welcome
Les Misérables - Perfect from beginning to end, a masterpiece
Miss Saigon - They're called "Bui Doi"
Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Ragtime - Phenomenal musical based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow
Sunday in the Park with George - "White: a blank page or canvas ... so many possibilities"
Stop the World - I Want to Get Off - Anthony Newley's clever and innovative first show