The Voice: Creating A Satisfying, Rewarding Life In Theater And Beyond

“Being an actor kind of caught me by surprise,” explained David Cochran Heath, recently retired from a satisfying and life-sustaining 31 years in the theater.

- Susan Lagsdin

To local actors, most of whom freely donate their years of hours to the stage, this sounds like a dream come true.

It wasn’t so much a dream as a plan that got sidelined for a while.

How did he luck into a long, full life in the theater?

In 1986 David had a perfectly usable drama degree from Western Michigan University but had knocked around Leavenworth for a few years doing a total of seven unrelated odd jobs.

However, with a wife and kids and some strong resolve, he got himself over the pass to an open audition in Seattle hosted by Christian-oriented theaters from around the country. There his skill set, which included a deep, clear voice and scenery-building experience, won him a position at non-profit Lamb’s Theater in San Diego.

Off went the Heaths to sunny Southern California, where his wife Beth soon took a job in Lamb’s front office, his young kids grew up hanging around the theater, and David worked steadily for three decades.

The Lamb’s Theater staff and crew and repertory company were paid close to equity wages (to the envy of regional theater neighbors) and because they all needed to multitask on and off stage to keep the theater solvent, they created strong bonds.