Mary Gaskins - Candidate for Secretary
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Mary's Personal Statement
In my short time with PWLT, I have been fortunate to find a welcoming community doing amazing theatre work. It is my desire to be a part of that work not only through performances but also through the behind-the-scenes work. My experiences with PWLT, and my work in youth musical performances, give me a background to both appreciate and hopefully contribute to the fantastic community that is PWLT.
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Mary Gaskins |
Mary's Bio
Mary Gaskins grew up in southeast Georgia, where music was a major part of her life, singing in church and school choirs from an early age. In high school, Mary discovered the joy of theatre, taking three years of drama and working backstage on shows.
Mary graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2007 with a degree in music education. While there, she was an active member of the Georgia Southern Opera, performing and working backstage.
In 2012, Mary moved to Northern Virginia with her husband, Chris, where she began teaching general music and chorus at Fairfax Villa Elementary School. In 2016, her daughter Aenea was born. Over the past 11 years, Mary has been involved in various vocal ensembles as well as working as the youth and children's music director of a faith organization for several years. At her school, she is one of the directors of the annual 6th Grade Showcase, a musical theatre-influenced performance involving the entire grade level.
In 2019, Mary completed her master's degree in music education, with an emphasis on Kodály and Orff methodologies. It was shortly after that she decided that it was time to return to the theatre world after over a decade away. While her return was delayed by Covid, Mary finally performed in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd (Rooftop Productions) in late 2021. She auditioned for and was offered a role in PWLT's Sister Act in 2022, and for better or worse, PWLT has been stuck with her ever since. Mary was in the ensemble of Sister Act, worked backstage on The Sound of Music, was Assistant Stage Manager for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and is currently in the ensemble of Oliver!, along with her 7 year old daughter.
Mary graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2007 with a degree in music education. While there, she was an active member of the Georgia Southern Opera, performing and working backstage.
In 2012, Mary moved to Northern Virginia with her husband, Chris, where she began teaching general music and chorus at Fairfax Villa Elementary School. In 2016, her daughter Aenea was born. Over the past 11 years, Mary has been involved in various vocal ensembles as well as working as the youth and children's music director of a faith organization for several years. At her school, she is one of the directors of the annual 6th Grade Showcase, a musical theatre-influenced performance involving the entire grade level.
In 2019, Mary completed her master's degree in music education, with an emphasis on Kodály and Orff methodologies. It was shortly after that she decided that it was time to return to the theatre world after over a decade away. While her return was delayed by Covid, Mary finally performed in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd (Rooftop Productions) in late 2021. She auditioned for and was offered a role in PWLT's Sister Act in 2022, and for better or worse, PWLT has been stuck with her ever since. Mary was in the ensemble of Sister Act, worked backstage on The Sound of Music, was Assistant Stage Manager for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and is currently in the ensemble of Oliver!, along with her 7 year old daughter.
