Kit Goldstein Grant '05 was an organizing theme major (cultural musical theatre) at Union College before earning an M.M. in composition from Brooklyn College. A composer, lyricist, librettist and teaching artist, she teaches with the New York City Children’s Theater and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Kit has written multiple musicals that have been performed in upstate New York and New York City, including The Giant Hoax, which was originally produced in Schenectady at the Fenimore Gallery at Proctors. The show recently had its New York City premiere at Theater Row on 42nd Street. Kit’s family musical, The Nose, has had several productions in New York City and South Africa, including a production at Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town. Kit is co-founder and frequent board member of a non-profit organization, Composers Collective. The collective works to educate composers and puts on concerts of original music in New York City. Kit is on a sabbatical right now since she has a 4-month-old child, but she is looking forward to being back with the collective soon.
What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your career or volunteer activities?
Theatre is a very challenging career path, but it is also so rewarding when things work out. Every project is an uphill climb, from writing to finding production opportunities, but in the end, there is nothing more exciting than seeing your script and songs coming to life onstage!
Who inspired/inspires you, both professionally and personally?
So many people! For today, I think I’ll pick author P. G. Wodehouse, for his sense of humor, his way with words and his love of dogs. A favorite quote:
“’A sensitive plant, what?’
‘Exactly. You know your Shelley, Bertie.’
‘Oh, am I?’”
What advice would you offer today’s women students, not just at Union, but across the country?
First, keep pushing yourself forward and don’t be afraid to self-promote! Second, (she said while typing with her 4-month-old son in the stroller next to her), keep working toward more solutions for working mothers in this country. It’s still tremendously difficult to have a child and a career – let’s keep finding solutions!
What was your most formative experience at Union?
So many! One of the most influential was definitely my thesis project – writing, composing and directing a full-length musical, The Black Tulip, based on the book by Alexandre Dumas. The experience of working with my advisors (Joanne Yarrow and Tim Olsen) and with the students involved taught me so much. I made some wonderful friends and it was an experience I will never forget.