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.