CREATIVE TEAM
BETH MARTIN BROWN
Librettist
Beth Martin Brown is an adjunct professor in the Los Angeles Community College District and has taught English and further writing courses at Los Angeles Valley College and other community colleges for the last twenty -three years. Some of her classes include short story writing, mythology, history of theatre, and playwriting.
She is a graduate of the USC Master of Professional Writing Program.
She is the librettist for the children’s musical, The Little Witch of Wichita. This play won the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Award and has had numerous productions around the country and world. Productions include sold out performances at the renowned Geffen Theatre in Westwood, CA.
Her love of writing plays originated when her one-act play, The Lonely Bull, won the USC Sixth Annual One-Act Play Festival and went on to gain honorable mention in several other play festivals. She studied with Jerome Lawrence (Inherit the Wind) while at USC. Her one-act play, Hannah’s Son, was written under his auspices and garnered praise. Other plays include The Seven Ages of Fear (First Stage, Playwright’s Express), Myrna’s Mission and MONROE…SHOCKS! (honorable mention, McLaren Memorial Comedy Playwriting Competition, McLaren, TX).
Her full-length play entitled Strong Sistahs was a quarter-finalist in the Writer’s Network Screenwriting Competition. In repertoire with ten other shorts, the first act of this play was produced by Subversive Theatre, Buffalo, NY.
She is a member of The Dramatists Guild and Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights (ALAP).
KEVIN KAUFMAN
Composer
Kevin Kaufman began his music career as a pop/R&B songwriter. His first recorded song was a Record World "Pick hit of the Week" on Roadshow Records (RCA). He worked as an arranger, accompanist, and music director for recording artists and nightclub acts including William Hart of the Delfonics.
In addition to 17 productions of The Little Witch of Wichita, Mr. Kaufman is also the composer and co-writer of American Twistory, a musical revue where history and pop culture collide! The musical will open post pandemic Off-Broadway with Larry King as Executive Producer. It was previously produced in Los Angeles and Boston
His other children's musical, Jody’s Wish ("Julia's Traum") was produced at Klecks Jugendtheater, Berlin, Germany.
Kaufman studied arranging and composition at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles; holds a B.A. in music from the City College of New York; and is a member of ASCAP. He was also a grand prize winner on Name That Tune.
SANDY SHERMAN
Lyricist - Songwriter - Educational Consultant
Sandy Sherman is a lyricist and songwriter with an extensive catalogue of songs in many styles written for all ages. Her songs have been featured in artist compilations, popular films and television series. She has integrated her writing skills for children with her early childhood teaching background and her songs have delighted millions of children. Among these recordings are songs for Disney Records (including a gold record), Buena Vista Videos, LeapFrog Toys, Educational Insights Toys, Learning Curve Toys, Disney Channel, Shari Lewis, The Children's Television Workshop and Hal Leonard Music Publishing.
She is the lyricist and co-creator of The Little Witch of Wichita, an award winning, educational family musical that has been performed throughout the United States, (including at the prestigious Geffen Playhouse) . Other songs for musical theater include "God Is In This Place" featured in the show Beyond Jacob's Ladder (Jewish Women's Theater Co.) and "From Where I Stand", the stirring patriotic finale song featured in the musical American Twistory ( executive producer - Larry King).
Her inspirational Chanukah song, "There's Something About Those Candles" has been performed by choir groups, soloists, and renown orchestras and is on its way to becoming a holiday standard.
