If I Should Die Before I Wakean electronic futuristic rock operetta
If I Should Die Before I wake was my thesis project at Hampshire College - a full blown theatrical production,
culminating in seven sold out live performances. I was the Producer, Sound Designer, Music Director and a
Musical Performer in this show. I collaborated with Moises Nunez in writing the script, and chose Megan Palaima
as the Director of the piece, among many others who contributed to the production. This multimedia performance
focused on the relationship between death and dreaming and the possible similarities between them. It also
explored the concept of music as an eternal life force - all within the fantastical context of a man who unlike any
other human, remains aware of his previous lives as he journeys through the cycle of reincarnation. Musical
collaborators included Alexis Gideon (guitar), Chris Westhoff (bass) and Takei Yamasaki (piano).
This was the opening number to the show. I wanted it to be over the top and kitchy, kind of poking fun at a typical rock opera song.
"106 Lite FM"
This song is the demo for the Nightmare scene - when the main character literally scares himself to death.
"Nightmare"
This is the live version of the "Sleepy Musical Number" - the scene where the main character awakens inside his first death.
"Sleepy Musical Number"
This is the demo version of the Lounge song. "The Lounge" is the place where you go each time you die, and visit with the "artists"
who are there to determine where you end up next in the cycle of reincarnation.
"Sexy Lounge Singer"
The re-occurring theme in the show:
"Sad Theme"
The main character gets increasingly upset about his situation - the only person in the world that knows what happens when you die -
that you are a mere subject at the whim of the artists, going around and around through the cycle of life - and death - with no end in sight.
"Momma and Dada"
The "explosive" finale of the show, where the main character decides to set off a nuclear bomb in order to "save" mankind and spare it
from the unjust circle of life.
"End"