Hello, you have reached the contact page for Sharon Wheatley at My Own Space. If you have a question for Sharon– including who to contact for a personal appearance of any kind (performing, speaking or teaching), if you need a writer, or if you’d like to advertise on My Own Space–please leave a message at the beep.  Someone will get back to you.

BEEEEEEEP:

 

57 Responses to Contact Me

  1. Julie Burwinkel says:
    October 14, 2011 at 4:23 am

    Sharon-

    Loved the old UA report card. I never thought of you as a sucky student. You were always involved and funny. I really enjoy the blog.

    Julie B.

    Reply
  2. kbwing says:
    November 13, 2011 at 7:42 am

    Sharon,

    I found your blog a few days ago…I have since obsessively read every blogisode!!! Too funny! I am the mom of two boys, 10 and 2, so not the same, there are many moments that I have just hung my head and either laughed out loud or sighed. My mom was over the other day and she summed up my whole life, my two year old had my older one's Death Star (Star Wars reference,) and was proceeding to try to eat it. I looked at him and as if it happens every day (and it does) and said, "Drake, don't eat the Death Star." Took it away from him, put it on top of the fridge (where all of the older one's toys go when the baby finds them) and continued with my day. My mom thinks that this is the most hilarious thing that she has ever heard. Please keep writing, I have found a place where I actually get a laugh and live vicariously through you (you have done some *totally* amazing things!!!) Thanks!

    Reply
    • sswheatley says:
      November 13, 2011 at 11:45 am

      I love the name Drake–so cute! I'm watching Beatrix (the 3-year-old) give the cat a "check up" with her doctor's kit. I'm not sure how well this is going to go…..

      Reply
  3. kbwing says:
    November 13, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Thanks! Yeah, that doesn't sound promising, hopefully the cat doesn't need stitches or surgery!

    Reply
  4. Melanie says:
    November 28, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    Hello, Sharon!
    I came across your website through a college events/speakers catalogue, and I am obsessed! I am a student representative from Marymount Manhattan College, which resides in the quaint Upper East Side of Manhattan, and I was hoping I could inquire as to whether or not you would be interested in speaking at our humble learning establishment! It says on here that my email address will be included, but not displayed publicly, when I make this comment, so I hope that is the case, and I CERTAINLY hope to hear from you/your people (do you have "people"?) sometime in the near future. Thank you for the laughs!
    Melanie

    Reply
  5. Angi D says:
    January 1, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    saw you at Michele’s black and white ~ you stole the show!!!!!!!
    Thank you so much for appreciating her and sharing your gift with us all!

    Reply
  6. Amy (Fetzer) Pratt says:
    January 6, 2012 at 11:32 pm

    Thought you would think this was funny…..during a conversation about a super great deal my husband and I got on some appliance, I said "you can't beat that with a stick" and started cracking up…he was totally clueless….I didn't explain, he'll have to read your blog himself to get it. :)

    Reply
  7. Robin says:
    January 29, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    We enjoyed your book and my daughter wanted to read an excerpt from it for a prose competition. The category is "Generation X-authors born after 1960". I am sure you fit this category, but she needs proof and we have been unable to find your birthdate in a Bio. Would you be willing to email me your date of birth or post it on your website? (Either is acceptable proof)
    Thank you so much!

    Reply
  8. Claire Hannum says:
    February 17, 2012 at 2:31 am

    Sharon, you're the greatest! I read your book while going to high school in the Midwest when I was maybe 15 or so and I was so inspired and hooked. Having struggled with my own weight (and having dated about a thousand guys who ended up realizing they were gay…oh wait, that's STILL happening!) and fighting against the catty politics of high school theatre, I honestly thought that my life in the theatre was already over and that there was no way I'd leave my hometown. I remember I sent you an e-mail asking for advice about training. Damn, you should've seen the excitement on my starry-eyed Broadway-dreaming face when I opened that e-mail from a STAR in my little kitchen in Michigan. I live and go to college in New York now, and imagine my surprise today when I'm on my way to class and I see a flyer with your face on it. I nearly did a double take. You're speaking at Marymount Manhattan College!? It's so crazy that one of the very people who inspired me to go to New York in the first place is speaking at my school, it feels so full circle! I can't wait for February 29th!

    Reply
  9. Ashley says:
    March 9, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    Hi Sharon! I needed to write to you and say Thank You! I stumbled across your blog when a friend posted a link to your Smash quizzes on Facebook. Since then I've been laughing my way through all your other blogisodes and my husband wants to know why I won't pick my face up from my iPad at night while we are watching TV. Anyway, I too am an actor and mom and recently I've been in a bit of a jaded rut. Long story not too short, I was a working theatre actor in NY/NJ for five years before I joined Equity. As soon as I joined I said "I'm in! let's get pregnant!" I worked until 6mo prego…and then we moved to Atlanta. I did one show when my daughter was almost 2, finding out I was pregnant again (planned) a week after I was cast. Now that I'd finally broken into the scene down there…we moved to Boston. Both moves for my husband's career that I fully supported, by the way. So I've now been here for three years and haven't worked. I've been auditioning but not at all as hard as I could be. The kids are an easy excuse to be lazy when it comes to that "other career" I have. But your blog along with the articles you wrote for Equity News that I was able to find have given me the kick in the butt that I really needed. Yeah, it's hard. But it's not impossible. And I'm not the only one out there trying to make this work. And at the end of the day, I win because I got to be a mom, but I'll win even more if don't let that dream compromise my other dreams. This week I made an appointment for an out of state summer show for the first time in 5 years solely because of you. I can make anything work if I want to. So yeah, thanks.

    Reply
  10. Petra Hernandez says:
    March 19, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Hey Sharon(: I read your book and I loved it.. Because I can relate to it in many ways.!
    So I decided to use your book in a performance for school UIL competition..BUT I have a major problem and hope you can help me.!!!! I Need Proves that you are an author born After 1960. So if you can please send me an email ASAP I will Appreciated A lot. Thank you<3

    Reply
  11. Kenneth Yung says:
    April 3, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Hi Sharon,
    My name is Kenneth Yung and we do not know each other. I came across your page cause you are listed in this week's New York Magazine's "The Approval Matrix" about the blog you are writting on "Smash".
    I read your IBDB bio and noticed that you were in Cats, Les Mis and Phantom – which all casted by Vinnie Liff – my late partner.
    Just want to say that Vinnie would have been very proud of you to write all this fabulous facts/fictions about how the theatre is being preseneted by "Smash". Everytime I watch the show – I always think how Vinnie would roll his eyes and curse about many of the fictions from Smash – especially the casting part. Yet, as a threatre "queen/junkie", I cannot stop watching that show.
    Keep doing your good work.

    Reply
    • sswheatley says:
      April 4, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Vinnie Liff was a gift to actors everywhere. I occasionally cast projects, and when I do, I try to be as kind and involved as Vinnie was–he is so very missed. Thank you, Kenneth, for writing me. I love thinking that Vinnie would have approved (since all I ever wanted was his approval anyway!!!). Many thanks.

      Reply
  12. Robyn says:
    April 11, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Started your book last night and couldn't put it down (*one more chapter and I'll go to bed*, *one more chapter and I'll go to bed*)…..can't wait to continue it tonight. I can relate in oh so many ways…..love it! Keep doing your thang girl.

    Reply
  13. David Harbor says:
    April 12, 2012 at 11:50 am

    The site navigation is subpar. All I want to view are your blog postings about SMASH. And I can't find them. So I'm departing your site after I leave my critique. Such a shame! Was looking forward to reading your posts.

    Reply
    • sswheatley says:
      April 12, 2012 at 11:53 am

      Funnily enough, I was just thinking the same thing and thinking about hiring someone to fix it. Sorry about that. The site and the SMASH stuff grew very quickly.

      Reply
  14. Adrian Rennie says:
    April 17, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    I am thoroughly enjoying your site!! CHEERS!!!

    Reply
  15. Julie says:
    April 25, 2012 at 7:49 am

    Hi Sharon:
    I came across the recommendation for your "Smash" blog in NY Mag and have been enjoying it ever since. I love the show and your comments enhance my enjoyment. I hope you and "Smash" go on forever!

    Reply
  16. frannie says:
    April 25, 2012 at 10:14 am

    Hi Sharon,
    Just read your blog on Smash and loved it. Thanks for the info. Hope all is going well. I miss you on Friday mornings.

    Reply
  17. Ellen Di Giosia says:
    April 25, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    I found your site through the Vulture interview with Megan Hilty, then immediately downloaded your book and devoured it. So stinkin' funny.

    Since I'm now your #1FAN, can I ask you a small favor? I'm coming to NY in September for my big 4-0 (holla!), and we have the time/budget for 2 shows. If YOU could only see 2, which ones would you see? I haven't been in 17 years, but I've seen some tour companies in the meantime, so I was thinking new-ish things. I'd love your input! Thank you!

    Reply
  18. Lauren says:
    May 3, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    Hi Ms. Wheatly,
    I just started reading your blogs and I favorited this page and 'liked' you on Facebook as well. Anyway, I have a question that is assuredly going to make me sound like a pain in the arse.
    Why does the Smash Soundrack suck?!? I got so excited, seeing that I would be able to hear all of the creative showtunes, but it's filled with all of the remakes of the popular songs plus a FEW of the originals.
    Why would they do that? And what is the significance of those songs on the show?

    I don't understand- UGH!
    Lauren

    Reply
  19. Lisa says:
    May 15, 2012 at 6:40 pm

    Ms. Wheatley, I have a burning question based on the Smash finale! Would an understudy not have her own set of costumes? Would there be just one set and they’d be altered ASAP?

    Thanks! Love each Fact or Fiction!!

    Reply
  20. Laura F says:
    May 15, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    Hi Sharon,
    I have enjoyed your SMASH blog immensely and have discovered your other postings along the way. All of which I have also enjoyed. I find your blogs inspiring – as an actress and mom. Can't pursue the biz as I would like lately, but I know it will be there when I'm ready to jump back in.
    I look forward to reading more!

    Reply
  21. Noah says:
    May 16, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    Ahhh!! I'm addicted to the smash blog and was reading what you liked about Leap of Faith… how could you let my theatre OCD not have the immediate answer to the theatre magic for mics not shorting out (as opposed to Bombay Dreams where they just had her lip syncing when a fountain was practically knocking her out).

    This theatre gay wants to know!!

    And I'll miss your Smash blogs! But I'm sure you'll find something to keep me entertained…

    Noah

    Reply
  22. Lizzie says:
    May 23, 2012 at 4:22 am

    Hi, Sharon.

    I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you are to me. I am overweight female trying to audition for musical theatre programs and your book has helped me so much. I wish I could express how much I enjoyed reading your book and how much I feel I've learned from it.

    Sincerely,
    Lizzie

    Reply
  23. jessica daniels says:
    June 3, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    i just wanted to say… i just heard u on xm on broadway… your interview… and you are an inspiration… i also grew up on the heavier side of the equation and when u stated "do people really want to see someone a size 12 person fall in love on stage? and yeah… yes they do…" so much inspiration… so thank you!!!!

    Reply
  24. Anissa says:
    June 5, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    I found your blog during Smash and I love it so. I am a theatre junkie (only locally) so hearing your stories of my fav big name shows helps my daydreams. I was wondering what the mic secret for Leap of Faith was…

    Reply
  25. Emma Thamer says:
    August 24, 2012 at 1:08 am

    Dear Sharon.
    My names Emma, I'm 17 years old and I stumbled across your book recently after my 17th birthday, and as I read through it I felt as if my own life was being portrayed on the sheets of paper (or I guess…the electronic screen of my Kobo…). I've always been told that, because of my weight, I'll never be able to make my theatre dreams come true. I know I have the talent (not to sound cocky or anything), the voice, the charisma- but their words always hurt. I honestly thought that it wasn't possible for someone like us to go into a community so focused on the physical appearance of their actors. But after reading your book, and seeing the success you have had, I have a new sort of hope for my future. I've currently been getting my ARCT in voice, and planning on studying Vocal performance in my Post Secondary education. So thank you, for writing this book, giving me a new outlook, and a new hope for my future. I know your story will be something I'll read over and over again to keep my hopes high through out my journey. You are truly an inspiration.

    Reply
    • sswheatley says:
      August 25, 2012 at 9:11 pm

      Hi Emma! I'm so glad you found my book! Thank you for writing and best of luck as you become a big success! Keep me posted!

      Reply
  26. Elizabeth Haaser says:
    September 7, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Hi Ms. Sharon,

    My name is Elizabeth Haaser, and I am a dietetic intern at Rebecca Bitzer & Associates, the largest private nutrition practice in Maryland. Last year, Rebecca began a program exclusively dedicated to those patients recovering from eating disorders, and it is quickly becoming one of the most frequently referred to outpatient recovery programs in the state. We are always on the lookout for books that we feel would help our patients, and your book, "'Till the Fat Girl Sings," really inspired us. We were wondering if you would be willing to send us a copy in exchange for a book review on our two websites, http://www.rbitzer.com (main cite) and http://www.empoweredeatingblog.com (the program site)- we receive a lot of hits, but most importantly, your work would be a very valuable tool for these recovering girls and boys.
    If you are interested, please email me back at admin@rbitzer.com, and I can give you the address, etc.
    Thank you so much for your consideration! And thank you for the great work that you do.

    Best,
    Elizabeth

    Reply
  27. Fan says:
    November 11, 2012 at 12:13 am

    I'm a huge fan… You are such an amazing woman. I'm grateful to be able to keep up with your adventures on this blog. Gives me perspective… :)

    Reply
  28. writerinjapan says:
    November 12, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    Sharon,

    Not sure if you actually read these comments, but I wanted to leave you one anyway. :) I just finished reading your book, and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it, and how beautiful and inspiring your story is. I've struggled a bit with my weight as well, though primarily because I spent the last four years living in Japan, and the standards of skinny are even crazier there than they are here in the U.S. For instance, I once saw an ad for a clothing store that featured a pretty, non-Asian girl modeling a bikini. She was extremely small by U.S. standards, but that wasn't enough for the ad-makers, as they saw fit to chop off part of her rib cage via Photoshop to make her appear even skinnier! What's more, there's no social taboo there against commenting negatively about someone's weight, and I routinely had various folks telling me I was "plump" or "a little fat" and wondering if/when I was planning to go on a diet. (At that point I weight about 130 pounds, just to give you an idea of the extent of the madness. :P)

    Anyway. I didn't actually intend for this to become a diatribe on Japanese standards of beauty and thinness, so let me cut that off right now and get back to what I originally wanted to say. Mainly this: I think you're an amazing, beautiful human being, and I can't tell you how happy I am that you were able to make so many of your dreams come true. Thank you for taking the time to write about your struggles and triumphs (thus allowing the rest of us to enjoy the contact high or reading about them), and I wish you all the best.

    Reply
  29. Gina Feliccia says:
    December 3, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    Sharon!

    I just read your blog for the first time! Loved it, you are and always have been cleaver! I love seeing You and the kids and the mentions of Rob! I will never forget our hike it was the first of many for me. I am no longer afraid of hikes after Mnt Reiner!

    Love to you and your family,

    Gina

    Reply
  30. Rick Clave says:
    January 2, 2013 at 9:07 am

    It has been a while since I read the book, but I believe that JVJ became the caretaker (or assistant) at the convent. He restricted his contact with Cosette to keep their relationship quiet. I am so happy to see a "review" by former members of the cast. I do know some people who worked the tours, and it seems they were as happy as you were to see the film finally get made. Now to get to the other blogisodes!

    Reply
  31. Rick Starr says:
    January 3, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    I've enjoyed the blog, blogisodes, and "what I liked about" posts for over a year now. And I missed reading during the summer slowdown, BTW, but I guess everyone is entitled to a vacation now and then, just don't make a habit of it.

    For future moments when you have, er, a moment: 1) You go to tons of shows. You take your kids to tons of shows. Do you get special prices on tickets, or even freebies because you are in the business? Do you want to adopt a son? I'm only 66.

    2) Why would Disney decide to risk a Broadway musical on source material like Newsies that was a big flop? (We enjoyed the show, never saw the film.) Who can explain what gets produced and what doesn't?

    3) Since you do 'swing', how would that work for a show like "Once", where performers have to sing – and dance – and play their own instruments? They can't really have a whole backup cast standing around, but they can't just pull from the usual swing players either, can they? (Maybe this is a question for Rob?)

    4) We bought the DVD of "Memphis", which is a professionally videographed performance of the Broadway show. a) why did they do that rather than a movie, and b) why don't other shows which have little chance of becoming a movie do that too? (I've seen a bootleg of a show from a handheld camera by some guy in the balcony (at "Drowsy Chaperone") – and it's gross – but I would happily pay for a real video of many of the shows that I have seen. Wouldn't you?)

    5) If the original Les Mis was produced with almost all the parts being 'chorus', how does that work? Who decides what's chorus and what's featured? And what are the minimum salaries for each?

    6) How about a once a week column – we ask questions, you give answers? A Dear Abby kind of thing? I've already started. Now your turn.

    Reply
    • sswheatley says:
      January 4, 2013 at 10:26 pm

      That's a great idea. I kind of started doing this during my SMASH blog, but maybe I'll dedicate an official day to answering questions. You'll be first and I'll do it next week.
      Thanks!

      Reply
  32. Cathy says:
    January 4, 2013 at 12:01 am

    Sharon,
    I absolutely love your blog and find all your stories about the inner-workings of theater so interesting. I liked your "What I liked about the Les Mis Movie" blog, especially when you pointed out the roles played by Colm Wilkinson, Frances R. and Hadley Fraser (a former Javert). What I don't think has received any notice or publicity is that the film is literally brimming with veterans of Les Mis and other West End shows in the ensemble parts (students, factory women, lovely ladies, guests at the Inn). For one example, Gina Beck, the current Glinda in Wicked-London, and a former Cosette and Christine in Phantom, is one of the Turning Women with 1 solo line. It seems like the film makers would push this more to go along with the campaign to get out the word that the singing was done live. Anyway, I just thought that was a cool angle no one seems to be talking about. I will look forward to your next installments! Take care!

    Reply
  33. Carol R. says:
    January 13, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Hi Sharon,
    Love your blog!
    I am going to ask you this, because I really do not know who else to ask. My 13 year old is very into musical theater, and has some talent (not my subjective opinion, based on her getting cast in good roles!) She is asking how she can get an agent and get into a broadway show. I have no idea. We are in the Boston area, but I don't know where to begin. The agencies I see if I google search seem shady. Any suggestions?
    Thanks and can't wait to see what happens on Smash and how you feel about it!!

    Reply
  34. Jennifer says:
    January 16, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    I loved your Smash Fact or Fiction posts from last season. Are you going to be writing new Fact or Fiction posts for the new season?

    Reply
  35. Maria Sciullo says:
    January 23, 2013 at 8:24 am

    Hi Sharon, with season premiere of Smash coming up, wanted to talk to you for my pop culture blog.
    Thanks!
    Maria

    Maria Sciullo
    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Media writer
    msciullo@post-gazette.com

    Reply
  36. Dave McRee says:
    March 1, 2013 at 11:12 am

    Sharon – I love your blog posts about SMASH, never miss them. Very sharp, very funny, very true. I am sending you this note to see if you would want to mention the work my students and I are starting here at Sarah Lawrence College. We have posted the following petition today on the We The People site on Whitehouse.gov. and have gotten the support of Broadway Cares, GMHC, and the Empire State Pride Agenda.

    The petition took up too much space on this comment page so I will follow this comment with the petition and information in another comment page.

    Petitions to We The People that get 100,000 online signatures in 30 days are guaranteed a response from the Administration. If you are interested and willing, could you talk about the petition on your blog and/or circulate the information to people you think would be interested. Thanks for any help you can give us.

    Dave McRee
    Sarah Lawrence College
    dmcree@slc.edu

    Reply
  37. Dave McRee says:
    March 1, 2013 at 11:15 am

    Here is the petition information mentioned in the previous comment:

    Allow healthy gay and bisexual men to donate blood!

    We ask President Obama to urge the FDA to allow the majority of healthy gay and bisexual men to donate blood. Current blood donor policies are largely inconsistent, imposing significantly less restrictive deferrals to heterosexual men and women who engage in high-risk sexual behavior, yet banning gay and bisexual men who are HIV-negative, consistently practice safe sex, or are in monogamous relationships. The American Red Cross, American Association of Blood Banks, and America's Blood Centers all support reforming the current policy. Other countries have already reformed their policies to allow gay and bisexual donors. Thousands of desperately needed pints of blood are kept out of the depleted national blood supply each year as a result of this unjust exclusion. Reform is needed today!

    The WE THE PEOPLE website on Whitehouse.gov gave the following URL.

    Short URL: http://wh.gov/wwSu
    Save and Share this URL: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/allow-h…

    Thank you again, Dave McRee

    Reply
  38. Brandi says:
    March 1, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    I am searching for your birthdate (year only) so that we can use a cutting from your book for our oral interp competition. Can you please confirm your birthyear for our documetation criteria?? Thank you so much!

    Reply
  39. Francesca says:
    March 13, 2013 at 8:49 am

    I have a SMASH question . . .

    I know the terms "legit" and "belt" to describe singing styles. What is Karen/Katherine doing? It's a breathy, raspy whisper. I can't imagine that it would carry well in a theater, but I guess that's not a deal-breaker since there are microphones.

    Reply
  40. Corissa Barrow says:
    March 18, 2013 at 2:35 pm

    Hi! I am a current debater for Pasadena High School in Pasadena, Texas. I am currently doing a event for UIL, called Prose. I am absolutely in love with your book, and will be performing it. In order to successfully do this, I need a small favor of knowing your birthday and/or age, just for documentation proof of an author being born after 1960. Please! and Thank You!

    Reply
    • sswheatley says:
      March 19, 2013 at 5:22 pm

      Hi there, since I am asked this question a lot (thanks to all of you for using my book), I will confirm that I was born on December 7th, 1967.

      Reply
  41. Sydney Ashe says:
    May 14, 2013 at 9:25 am

    Hi Sharon! I'm graduating from Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati this year and I'll be attending Ccm drama in the fall. Maybe some day I can have a career as awesome as yours.

    Sydney Ashe

    Reply
  42. dldunn1 says:
    June 8, 2013 at 11:58 am

    Hi Sharon:

    I found your blog a couple of weeks ago when someone mentioned it on a chat room as Smash was ending. I spent way too much time the next two days reading every one of the Fact and Fiction blogs and then moved on to others.

    As I’m a theater wantabee (I’ve written a couple of plays), I wanted to write to say “thank you”, as your blog has been informative and encouraging. I sent out a recommendation to another theater geek right after I found your site. She loved it, too.

    I wanted to writing with a few suggestions/requests but, as I tend to be longwinded, this "submit comment" section would not take the entire post. Do you have a regular email or could you email me at dldunn_att@msn.com so I can send you the entire comment?

    Sincerely,

    Dennis L. Dunn
    dldunn_att@msn.com; 503-931-9671

    Reply

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