Speaking with Respect

Speaking with Respect

By Jefferson Jay Does saying what you’re about seem simple? In just a few words, can you describe who you are or what you do? It may sound easy, but once we start to choose the words, it can quickly get very complicated. What you want to say may be your focus but how...
Give More Be More

Give More Be More

By Jefferson Jay To give is to receive, some say. Some believe in karma, a spiritual balancing of forces that ensures no good deed goes unrewarded. Karma’s cohort, physics, states via Newton’s Third Law of Motion, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”...
Going Back to Cali

Going Back to Cali

By Jefferson Jay Before I was asked to write and direct The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit (then titled The Hunt for the Great Christmas Tree) I was having a great time as a music therapist at a day center for adults with developmental disabilities in El Cajon, CA. I...
Waves of Inspiration

Waves of Inspiration

By Jefferson Jay As humans, we have the ability to inspire, influence and lift each other up in ways that can’t be anticipated or imagined. When I worked at St. Madeleine Sophie’s center, a day center for adults with developmental disabilities, I felt these sensations...
Kid 1 of a Kind

Kid 1 of a Kind

By Jefferson Jay Before The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit was imagined as an animated series, The Hunt for the Great Christmas Tree was a stage show starring adults with neurodivergent disabilities. The year was 2014 and that show changed everything in my life. That...
On the Trail of a Trailer

On the Trail of a Trailer

By Jefferson Jay After years of effort, The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit had finally completed a few exemplary samples of our animation with the voice-overs of our original cast members perfectly in place. It was the culmination of tons of work by our team, especially...
Big River, Bigger Hearts

Big River, Bigger Hearts

By Jefferson Jay In last week’s blog, I wrote about our wonderful experiences working with Anthony Whiteford. I loved directing him when The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit was a stage show and was sad when he moved away. I hoped in my heart to get the chance to work with...
7 States Away But Still Home

7 States Away But Still Home

By Jefferson Jay In 2014, I was summoned to the office at a day center for adults with disabilities, where I was a music therapist. They offered me the opportunity to write and direct the holiday musical. I accepted instantly and The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit (then...
1 Family’s Road to the Holiday Spirit

1 Family’s Road to the Holiday Spirit

By Jefferson Jay After I directed the first episode of The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit, (then called The Hunt for the Great Christmas Tree), our cast lost one of its principal actors. When I asked a colleague who she thought would be a suitable replacement, she lit...
The Man Who Would Be a Tree

The Man Who Would Be a Tree

By Jefferson Jay From 2014-2017, I had the pleasure of being the music therapist at a day center for adults with developmental disabilities. Every day, when I entered my workplace, I was greeted with huge smiles, grateful friends, and the occasional ovation. Although...
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