When I arrived in Aspen, I had $500 to my name and half an economy car’s worth of stuff, mostly albums. I wasn’t in town for more than five minutes before it started feeling like home. I had work by the end of the day and aspirations soon thereafter.

It didn’t take long to realize that Aspen was the land of opportunity for me. Some people in the early ‘80s saw dollar signs, but I saw skiing, media and culture. The possibilities opened up for me quickly as I went from consumer to producer.

Writing, performing, music, acting. The first show I remember being shocked by at the Wheeler Opera House was an Aspen Community School adaptation of E.B.

White’s “Charlotte’s Web.” Original music, original sets, original script, live musicians, homemade costumes, humor, talent and some of the cutest kids ever gathered to entertain a town. Wow.

I knew I had to get involved. I joined a rock ‘n’ roll band and started performing live. That was working well, so I kept dreaming.

The theater community in Aspen was full of professional-grade talent, which was daunting and exciting at the same time. In 1992, I gathered my nerve and auditioned for the Aspen Community Theatre production of “Peter Pan.” I was shocked to land the role of Mr.

Smee, playing alongside Gary Daniel, who gave a roundly convincing performance as Captain Hook. This was no ordinary production. The sets were world class, especially the pirate ship.

The orchestra in the pit was a revelation. And the costume.