Meet Mary Crescenzo | Author, playwright, Jazz singer, teaching artist and public speaker on arts advocacy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Crescenzo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Honesty. I this is my abiding principle because deception is a waste of time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As author, playwright, Jazz singer, master teaching artist, public speaker and workshop facilitator on arts engagement and it benefits for all, especially older adults – well, frail and those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, my work has always been my passion. Being an artist/a creative is not a choice, it’s a given. It’s a responsibility to share one’s gifts with the world, with others near and far. As author, I have been published throughout the world in the genre of nonfiction, fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, essays, blogs and reviews. As playwright, I have written plays that often focus on social injustice. They usually have no fourth wall and sometimes find a way to include the audience as participants, whether in an open-frame setting or on a traditional proscenium stage. As Jazz singer, my goal is to tell the story of each song through the music, whether in a Jazz combo or in a cabaret setting. As a teaching artist, it has always been my goal to bring art to unlikely places, to underserved communities and populations. As a public speaker on arts advocacy, especially for the benefits of arts engagement for older adults – well, frail and those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, my goal is to encourage others to find their innate ability for self-expression through one or more of the arts.

I think the diversity of my work sustained for decades across various genre and disciplines, the courage to delve into different art forms to find ways to create a multidisciplinary experience for myself and with an intergenerational community is what sets me apart from others. It was never easy and always remains a challenge. When you create something from nothing, you’ve got to get the attention of those who are curious and interested in something new, or a new way of looking at things. Persistence, the belief in oneself, the honesty of bearing one’s creative soul in the face of possible rejection, is how I have overcome self-doubt, fear and the urge to say No to myself instead of Yes. What am I most proud of? Besides my drive to continue on, I am proud to be a 2022 recipient of the Maude’s Award from the Richard Ferry Foundation for Individual Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care, and author of, The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide: 8 Ways the Arts Can Transform the Life of your Loved One and your Own.

The only person in my days as a child who encouraged me was my grandfather (whom all the grandchildren called, Papa). He died too soon when I was nine, but he left me with a message he would tell me over and over when I was quite young. In his Italian immigrant broken English, he’d said, “You are smart like two colleges!” The loss of this supporter and mentor was devastating and veered my trajectory of life away from my passions for a time. Yet, his voice rose often in my head until I could hear it loudly and clearly, as I grew more determined out of necessity to be what I was meant to be. Lessons learned: be fearless, be honest; be determined, be kind; listen and learn from others, especially the people you serve. I want the world to know that I am humbled by the artistic gifts and abilities given to me and that I have witnessed that advocacy for the arts engagement for all can be a catalyst for creativity and a healing tool. My brand is Care Through the Arts.℠ My passion and work illustrates my story.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I am a relative newbie to Los Angeles County and California – my forever home, I’m still running around at times giddy like a tourist, yet with the sobering reality in heart and mind that life is a struggle for many who live in LA. If I had to imagine the best time ever for me and my friend, in no particular order: outdoor fun would be hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, swimming in Annenberg Beach House waterfront and pool, roaming Will Rogers State Park, taking a drive through ancient rock formations on the San Susana Pass, and strolling through the Japanese Gardens in Van Nuys in the valley. When we got hungry, we’d have Sunday brunch and listen to Jazz at the Delicious at the Dunbar, dine at the Formosa Café, and experience the well-worth-it long lines at Porto’s for Cuban fare and sweets. As an Art Deco lover, we’d experiencing the iconic architecture of Griffith Observatory at Griffith Park, and see a show in the dazzling Pantages Theater palace. For museum trips, we’d head to Pasadena to the Norton-Simon Museum with its lovely meandering garden, and take a ride to the contemporary Getty Museum overlooking the 405. For downtown historic nightlife and music, we’d spend an evening at the Cicada Club – another Art Deco jewel and Clifton’s Republic, or a drive on Sunset to the Catalina Club. We’d also try to fit in three of my favorite outdoor places, The Ford Theater, the Hollywood Bowl and it’s wonderful museum, and the isle of Catalina. Whew!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my Shoutout in recognition of my paternal grandfather.

Website: https://www.marycrescenzo.com

Image Credits
Paul Mesches