Ann Hampton Callaway has built a career in the entertainment industry that will live on for generations to come. In addition to performing on numerous television shows and specials, as well as in the Broadway musical, Swing! (in which she was also a co-creator), Callaway has composed countless songs for theater, television (including the theme song for everyone's '90s favorite The Nanny) and music artists (including Barbra Streisand).
Callaway's love for performing and desire to change lives through the power of music have led her to become involved with the drama therapy organization, Creative Alternatives of New York (CANY). Providing services that help clients recover from tragedies by accessing their creativity and individual gifts, CANY has been in existence for over 30 years. Callaway will serve as co-host for their annual gala, alongside Tony Award-winning actress, Cady Huffman, which will take place on Monday, May 16th. This year’s honorees include Kelli O’ Hara and Ron Tabano, Principal and CEO of John V. Lindsay Wildcat Academy.
CANY Executive Director, Alissa Desmarais, said that the evening is expected to raise $200,000 – funds that will provide critical services for their clients. “While our clients have all experienced some type of trauma, we believe that reconnecting to that inherent creativity is essential to the healing process,” she said. “Our gala is a celebration of our work and the power that theater has to change lives.”
StageBuddy had the chance to speak with Callaway about the magical moments in her career, working with entertainment’s most legendary artists, and giving back through CANY.
Ms. Callaway, you’ve had such an expansive and fruitful career, is there a milestone that is closet to your heart?
Ann Hampton Callaway: When I got to what seemed to be the impossible dream – starring in a Broadway show – that was one of my biggest moments. I just remember [on opening night] thinking that the impossible has happened. It was an amazing experience, helping to create the Broadway musical Swing! and getting to star in it and spend time with such wonderful people -- it was really like a family. That was an experience I wanted to have and when it finally happened, or when I was told I had a Tony nomination – those were definitely the “lucky” moments. That’s right up there with having Barbra Streisand record my peace anthem “At The Same Time” and sell 11 million records and writing the theme song to The Nanny and finding out that it’s one of the most internationally syndicated songs in the world for television. Those moments of grace in my life have been such beautiful blessings. I’ve been very fortunate.
In all of your years in show business, what keeps that love and passion for the creative arts alive?
I feel that the creative arts are the ways that I connect my heart to other hearts. Living a life as an artist is living a life of love. Everything comes from love, goes to love, and is translated through love, and for me, I can’t imagine a greater honor than being a musician and bringing people together.
Why do you think our world needs more of that?
With music, people don’t have to know the same language or agree on everything, and I can sing a song and something magical happens – it’s the power of music that opens hearts. It’s a mysterious, amazing, spiritual kind of honor and blessing in life and I think that everyone is an artist. Everyone has the potential to be creative and expressive and connect to other people through many mediums – whether it be raising children or cooking a meal – just doing something kind. I find music to be one of the most beautiful forms of creativity, and the longer I live, the more I am in awe of it.
You’ve been involved with the drama therapy organization, Creative Alternatives for New York (CANY) for quite some time. How did you first get involved with this inspiring and innovative organization?
The annual gala is such a great event and such a great cause – one I really look forward to each year. Cady Huffman actually suggested me for the event several years ago and I was very compelled by the idea of theater therapy and its power to help people. She’s been a part of CANY for as long as I can remember and I’ve been involved for about six or seven years now. The leaders of this organization are such compassionate, smart, giving individuals who are making such an impact on disadvantaged people. Theater is such a powerful tool and is really such a great form of therapy that allows you to access your emotions.
What has been the most gratifying part for you, as you’ve witnessed this organization transform the lives of their clients?
It is so incredible to step into the shoes of someone else through the art of performance, because you learn to develop empathy for other possibilities in life. Each year, I look forward to meeting the individuals who have benefited from the therapy and it’s always so moving to hear their stories and how their lives have changed.
Looking ahead to your radio show, This Is Cabaret, what can audiences expect and what are you most looking forward to?
We’ve created this four-part series - - it’s a live radio show [live at Birdland Jazz Club] with some really wonderful artists. I love hearing their stories and how they’ve overcome challenges. I’m excited to be singing with these artists and creating a portrait of them through improvisation. I want to celebrate intimacy – that’s what cabaret is – and when you are able to make an audience feel like you are theirs and theirs alone, that is a unique and powerful experience that we need more of in these times. We need to connect back to our hearts.
For more information about CANY, visit: https://www.cany.org/. Tickets to the 2016 gala are still available.
For the latest on Ms. Callaway, visit: https://www.annhamptoncallaway.com/
