“Stories don’t heal the pain, but they give it somewhere to go.” – Carl Jung
Dawn Sebock is a Mentor High School graduate and creative producer who recently came to Cleveland’s Playhouse Square with her show, “The Abnormal Heart.” She has a passion for directing and producing and has assisted with numerous productions.
“The Abnormal Heart” had a tough beginning, as did star Parker Mills, but they both made it through healed and rose out of the ashes. Sebock says Mentor Schools created a foundation for her career, and she shared some advice for young artists as well as one of her favorite behind-the-scenes moments with Cardinal Nation.
Beginnings
“The Abnormal Heart” began small and has grown exponentially due to hard work and love. It’s inspired by a traumatic medical event, and was only supposed to run one night, but the audience loved it so much they decided to run more shows and it took off. It was hard work getting the solo project together, but it was well worth it as people loved it and connected to it.
Parker Mill, the star of the show, and Sebock both had their struggles balancing several jobs that normally took a whole crew to accomplish, but they overcame it, and it led to a wonderful show. The two grew closer because of it.
“Because we’ve known each other for so long,” Sebock says, the creation of ‘The Abnormal Heart” “never felt heavy or complicated,” even through their challenges. She also said it “made us flexible and more united.” Even through the challenges, they made it work and grew closer because of it.
Sebock’s Story
Dawn attended school in Mentor, and her passion for producing was discovered and fed there. She did a project at Fairfax, where she was chosen to be a director and immediately fell in love with it. Her love continued throughout her years at Mentor Schools, and in high school, she was backstage in theatre tech and inside the TV production room.
Sebock credits Mr. Kowalke, “an incredible teacher who trusted me with real responsibility,” saying “he let me produce the video yearbook and even take the editing equipment home over school breaks.” These opportunities helped kindle her love for producing and gave her more experience. She stated how Mentor was her “creative incubator” and how it really helped her in her career and is the reason she’s got this far, and “the creative foundation I built there still shows up in everything I do.”
Mentor helped her build the strong foundation she has based her work and career on, and she is really grateful for her time there. After graduating from USC, she worked on television series, pilots, commercials, and film and has worked with many TV stars like Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Wil Wheaton, Neve Campbell, and Jerry O’Connell. She’s even worked with Coca-Cola on commercials. She has collaborated with Judge Judy, Chelsea Handler, and cast members who have appeared on shows such as “Law and Order,” “E.R.,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “M*A*S*H*,” “The Brady Bunch” and “Facts of Life.” She also produced a travel series and a music special starring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Her hard work and passion have paid off, and she’s glad to have gotten to work with such amazing people.
The Abnormal Heart/Mill’s Story
The play is the heart-wrenching true story of Parker Mills. The play guides the audience from the very beginning of his story to his near-death experience in an unexpected place. It also shows the challenges he faces, both as a gay man and as someone simply trying to navigate life. The story is depicted with humor and optimism and he hopes others will find comfort in the performance.
Advice for Young Artists from Dawn
She suggests surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, and especially to believe in yourself, even on days when you feel you can’t. Keep creating, even if it’s briefly, particularly if you are stressed and consumed by work and/or school. Also, always keep a battery backup and a few snacks on hand. You never know when rehearsals will run late and take a toll on you and your devices. To summarize, believe in yourself and always be prepared.
Dawn’s Favorite Behind-The-Scenes Moment
Sebock shared her favorite moment from behind the scenes, saying how she loved the audience’s response to the play. Many people, after the show, showed up to express their love for it and share their own stories, so Sebock created a space for them to talk to others about the performance and their personal experiences. The workshop is called “The Art of Telling YOUR Story”, and it’s free to attend for anyone who purchased a ticket. She loves the feedback and the response to the play and hopes it will continue.
A Lasting Impression
“The Abnormal Heart” continues to touch audiences with its honesty and strength. What began as a small project has grown into something much larger, filled with emotion, courage, and meaning. Through dedication and love for their craft, Sebock and Parker Mills turned hardship into art that inspires others to keep going, no matter the obstacles. Their story reminds us that even through pain, something beautiful can always be created. It’s proof that creativity can bring healing – not by erasing the past, but by giving it a purpose. As Sebock and Mills continue sharing their story, their work stands as a testament to the power of hope, friendship, and the art of never giving up.
