[music] Up next on Tennessee Wri.. She's originally from Louisville, Kentucky.

She has gone on to perform on Broadway, television shows, including Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix, and the Royal Pains on the USA Network.

She started her own production company, and co-founded her own record label.

After living in New York City for 14 years, she found her way to Jackson, Tennessee, where she is a visiting assistant professor at the University of Memphis Lambuth.

Most recently, she got engaged to a Savannah, Tennessee boy, and they're building their own home there.

Did we mention she's an author of a bestselling book?

Find out how she's adjusting from Broadway to the bluffs of the Tennessee River.

Grab a big old cup of coffee and your favorite comfy chair, because Tennessee Writes starts right now.

Books about Tennessee.

Books that come from Tennessee authors.

Books and stories with a Tennessee twist.

West Tennessee PBS presents Tennessee Writes.

[music] Hello, and welcome to Tennessee Writes, the show that goes beyond the book to meet the author like you've never seen them before.

My name is Peter Noll.

We are about to get up close and personal with another Tennessee writer, finding out about their childhood, how they began writing, where their stories come from, and they'll even share advice for you if you want to write your own book.

Plus, we put the authors on a stopwatch, as they try and answer questions in the lightning round.

Today, Tennessee Writes welcomes Ashley Kate Adams, a woman who has taken on and conquered all forms of media, from starring on Broadway, acting on TV shows, starting her own production company and record label, and teaching at the University of Memphis Lambuth.

Plus, she's an author of a bestselling book.

Tennessee Writes welcomes Ashley Kate Adams.

-Hi, Peter.

-Welcome to Tennessee Writes.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for having me.

Have a seat.

You're a Kentucky girl that e.. What was that path like?

That's right.

I was born and raised in a musical theater family, and I just had passions for show and business.

You graduated from high school in Kentucky, in Louisville?

Yes, sir.

I went on to Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, majoring in musical theater, and moved to New York City at 21, and got my first agent and manager, and the rest is history.

Did you pack up your car, and just move to New York City, and I'm going to make it here if I can make it anywhere type song?

-Yes.

My father, when I was 21 years old, he helped me p.. and a few of my classmates' things, and we went, we got a brownstone up in Washington Heights.

[chuckles] Yes, then I moved there at 21.

-Wow.

You said your family is a musical theater family.

What does that mean?

-Yes.

My mom and dad met, getting their bachelor's of fine arts in the musical theater at Eastern Kentucky University, and performed professionally.

My mother still does.

My dad, unfortunately, passed 10 years ago, but they made their living as professional musical theater performers.

Then, my baby sister is also a Broadway star.

She starred in The National Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Mrs.

Gloop, and she now works for Second Stage Theater on Broadway.

It's like in your blood.

It is.

They knew what you were getting into.. They did.

They always told me, "If you can do anything else, do it.

If you know this is your calling, you can't do anything else."

I was very fortunate to grow up in that environment.

What was your first Broadway show?

My first Broadway show was the incredible La Cage aux Folles written by Harvey Fierstein.

Like The Birdcage, the movie that you've seen with, yes.

That's right, with Robin Williams, The Birdcage.

It's based off of the French novella.

I was very fortunate at the age of 23, I got to be an immediate replacement for the role of Colette.

Then, I stood by for the role of Anne, which was the ingénue that marries into the-- She's a conservative family, and moves into.. Then, I got to tour with that show across the United States.

When you started on Broadway, they had a big announcement for you, right?

-Yes.

-What was that?

Tell us.

After I opened and joined the show on a Tuesday evening.

You had just signed your contract.

You were just like, "I've made it.

I got my contract."

-I made it.

I learned the show in two weeks in the big rehearsal hall.

I do my Tuesday night show.

Wednesday, while we're in the middle of the matinee, they say, "Can we please have the full company to the house in between shows?"

It's like those all-company meetings that you know this is no.. You never want them to happen.

They told us the show would be closing.

It broke my heart.

You work your whole life to achieve this incredible dream, and you have this idea as to where your life might be heading, especially in the arts.

That's the pinnacle.

Within 24 hours, that idea of security was taken away.

When it closes down, is it like, "This is the last show right now," or did they give you a little bit of time?

They gave you a heads up.

I did get to do the show for a full month on Broadway.

Then, there was the promise that we're going to take a little hiatus for the summer, come back to do the first national tour.

If I didn't do that, I wouldn't be sitting with you here today, because that's where I fell in love and discovered Memphis, performing with La Cage aux Folles at the Orpheum Theater.

You fell in love with Memphis, West Tennessee, who doesn't?

It's fantastic.

Living in Louisville, you must hav.. prior to-- Yes, I grew up coming to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn.. once a year.

Our family has a place to stay.

I always loved Tennessee.

This was where we would go to relax and vacation, but it was just always so rich with musical culture.

I think living in New York City, when I did in the musical theaterscape, everything was focused on Million Dollar Quartet.

Once, all of this original content, much of it came out of this area.

I was like, "Man, that's like my source.

Maybe there's something to that area for me."

You got done touring, and then you found your way to Memphis?

Yes.

I ended up performing more, doing shows at places like Paper Mill Playhouse.

I started my own production company.

Then, I started, during the pandemic, my own record label.

That is what allowed me to find Jackson, and brought it down to West Tennessee.

We have heard from so many authors.

This is our third season, so it's dozens of authors.

The pandemic, COVID, launched so many creative careers.

It was the pivot.

Writing, it was the pivot, "I'm.. So many books that we have today are because of that.

That's how BYOP came about.

I was actually in the middle of shooting a fundraising video for a feature film that I had written called Boy Hero.

We had shot at the Queens Library, had the permits, everything was shut down, developmental funds were in the bank.

Then, I remember, I think it was either March 13th, or March 20th, probably March 13th, New York City shut down.

I remember I was standing, exiting the bathroom, and I was like, "Oh my gosh, I have to let this feature film go right now."

If I didn't, I never would have had the capacity and the space to then create BYOP.

How did your teaching career start at the University of Memphis Lambuth, which has an incredible music program?

Incredible, yes.

I'm so proud to be paired up with the one and only Dr.

Jere.. We really are the ying and yang.

He was on the Channel 11 board of directors for several years.

I love that.

He's fantastic.

When the position opened up, he knew I had moved the record label down.

He knew I had teaching experience in New York City coaching all of those Broadway kids from Once on This Island, Frozen, The Lion King, Stranger Things.

He was like, "Ashley Kate, I think this position might be the perfect fit for you right now."

He was right.

I'm in the middle of my third year.

You must have taken to Jackson, the West Tennessee community, because you've recently gotten engaged at the end of last year, right?

Yes, just like two months ago.

To a Savannah, Tennessee boy.

To a Savannah, Tennessee boy, that's right, who has strong musical ties.

How did you meet him?

I donated my time.

I heard there was a new Tennessee state song that had been written.

Dr.

Tubbs and I, we love musica.

We were like, "We would love to donate our time to record this song."

We did.

He was there assisting his grandfather, who happens to be .. Wayne Jerrolds, so we know him.

Wayne Jerrolds, we know him.

From the West Tennessee PBS.

We know him very well.

Clint was there.

I ended up falling in love with the family that day.

It was a very special moment that we never forget.

You had a special dinner at Waffle House.

At the Waffle House, where we also just took engagement photos.

Really?

Are you serious?

-I'll show them.

-Okay.

That's funny.

You got engaged, and you guys are building your house on the bluffs of the Tennessee River.

I mean, I'm not making that up?

-That's right.

You're not making-- I've been told it looks-- It's a fairytale.

-like a hallmark story.

Yes, it does.

Big city girl moving to the small.. He's building it yourself.

He's building it physically himself.

-It's he, you're not- -He is a carpenter.

-grabbing a lower end?

No.

Probably not that part.

We'll see what we'll make of it.

Okay.

[laughs] [music] Ashley Kate, let's dive into BYOP: Be Your Own Producer.

You just were talking about how COVID made this happen.

-That's right.

Which we keep hearing again.

Give us the elevator pitch of this book.

BYOP: Be Your Own Producer, is about creating your own authentic way in the arts and entertainment industry.

I believe that so many of us are raised in a certain way to maybe only study music, or study dance, or study painting, but this book is about encouraging everyone, including the common person who might not even recognize that they're creative, and to allow themselves to expand, to be open to what.. might have for them.

What I found fascinating about this book is you were redefining for people what being a creative person means.

Oh, thank you.

-It's not just someone who's a painter- -No.

-or is a writer.

It can be anything.

That's right.

To really be proud.. and to set your own goals and stuff.

-Yes.

It's a way of living presently in life,.. I know this sounds silly, but it's like even the way that we're speaking today, or the way something's placed visually, it's like just living an experienced life can be a creative process.

Even like the way you pick out a grocery cart.

I know it sounds silly, but it can be if you look at it that way.

I will be very honest.

I read all the books of all of our authors, but if there's an audible or audio version, I'll listen to that while I'm maybe reading another book.

I listened to about half of yours an.. and you narrate your own book.

I do, yes.

I think-- Where did you do that from?

Do you-- -I did that also, sheltering in place for my apartment in New York City, making usage of that time.

I recorded it there in my apartment.

I thought, "Okay, I'm a previous actor, so I know how to utilize my voice."

I was like, it's written like me speaking to the reader in a very private, cheerleader-esque, intimate way.

I was like, "Why not just read my words?"

Honestly, that was my way into learning how to write.

I still have a hard time, even with a second book, published book, identifying as a writer, because I'm like, "Oh, I'm an actor, I'm a singer, I'm a producer."

I learned through almost writing as if I were speaking to someone, or teaching someone or coaching someone, and that's how I found my writing voice.

What do you hope someone who reads your book, or listens to it walks away from?

I hope that they have the courage to start something new.

It can be so scary to explore a new part of your artistic identity.

What scared you?

You talk about it in the book.

Yes.

I think I was raised very specifically in this Broadway family.

I go to this extremely prestigious conservatory.

You're going to be a Broadway star.

My parents never put that pressure on me, but I went into that royal bloodline of musical theater, going to CCM, getting my agent right out of school, going on Broadway at 23.

Sometimes there's that fear of failure, or creating in a new way that somebody might not anticipate from you and saying, "No, actually, this is who I am.

This is my true creative identity."

I did realize through the loss of that Broadway show, La Cage, that we spoke about previously, my core, I'm a creative, I'm a multi-hyphenate.

I create in more than one way, and it allows it to cross-pollinate to other parts of my creative identity.

That fear of overcoming that is, you think, holding a lot of people back?

Well, yes.

I think as artists, many of us are also perfecti.. We want our work to be well done, but sometimes we can stop ourselves, which prevent us from even starting, because everything's going to be messy when we begin.

I think we have to understand that, as artists, that's part of the process.

It's like going through tech week in a Broadway show, or a show even being produced at a high school.

It's going to be bad and challenging before the breakthrough.

It's good.

[music] Ashley Kate, we've come to the segment of Tennessee Writes that some people love the most.

It's called The Lightning Round.

We ask our authors a series of literary questions, and see how many they can answer in two minutes.

-All right.

-If you can't think of an answer, just say, "Pass", but the key is to try and get as many .. as possible.

-Okey-dokey.

We're going to put two minutes on the clock.

After I ask my first question, it'll start counting down to zero.

Sounds great.

Ashley Kate, do you want .. Let's do it.

Okay.

Two minutes on the clock.

Here we go.

What book took you the longest time to finish reading?

Oh my goodness, the ACOTAR series.

How long?

A year and a half.

What book are you most embarrassed to admit that you have read?

The Notebook.

What's your favorite movie based on a book?

The Help.

How many hours a week on average do you spend reading books?

10.

What's your favorite book of all time?

Where the Crawdads Sing.

What's the last audiobook you listened to?

Britney Spears' memoir.

How many words are in your book?

42,000.

If you could have a book signing in any city in the world, where would it be?

New York City.

What's one thing you would change about your book cover?

Not glossy.

How long did it take you to write your book?

32 days.

Where is your least favorite place to read?

Oh my gosh, a crowded place.

What celebrity would you most like to co-author a book with?

Reese Witherspoon.

What is the first book that made you cry?

Oh, Stuart Little.

How many books do you hope to write before you die?

Let's see, 10.

If you can have any celebrity narrate the audio version of your book, who would it be?

Also, Reese Witherspoon.

Whose autobiography book is your all-time favorite?

The Ride of a Lifetime about Bob Iger.

Do you prefer to write with pens or pencils?

Pen.

I lie, pencil.

What is the name of the font used in your book?

Times New Roman.

On average, how many books do you read in one year?

30.

First book you can remember reading as.. [buzzer] [lightning sound] [music] Ashley Kate, we always love to hear authors speak the words that they have written, and hear it out loud.

They can in your audiobook as well.

They can.

Would you mind sharing a reading from your book?

Yes, I'd love to.

I think we should start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.

Chapter 1 is called No One Can Give You Permission to Create but Yourself.

"There, I said it.

No one can give you permission to create but yourself.

No director holds the keys, no studio, no casting director, no gallery owner.

It's you and you alone, baby.

At the start of my career, I was hungry for people to ask me to do things.

I wanted people to invite me places, to always be included, both professionally and creatively.

I wanted to be asked to audition for the most exciting projects, and to be invited to sing somewhere.

I wanted to be thought of by others, but the truth is, I wanted to be thought of by others to fuel my creativity.

Not that wanting that was wrong.

To me, there's no wrong when it comes to art, but from a very young age, it was more about what others wanted me to do, and what they wanted to hear from me.

Maybe it's because I was raised in a Kentucky Broadway-loving family, and a community that cultivated strong musical theater performers, or maybe it was because at the time I never really understood what a producer was.

For me, being talented meant I was a strong Broadway-style musical theater performer.

That was my identity, and it carried me far.

I got into the best school in the nation for the performing arts, and was on that Broadway stage exactly two years after my U-Haul pulled into Washington Heights, Manhattan in 2009.

Then, came the reality.

As a performer, what you mainly do is audition.

I know it might seem strange, but the truth is, when you're a professional, hungry, working artist with a hardworking agent, you're always auditioning.

They submit you for a role based on someone else's description of their project, and you get invited to audition based on your headshot, resume, or what they think you can do.

I found myself more fascinated than frustrated with this concept, but I had to have a very honest moment of truth with myself, and my life, and how I was spending my time was solely based on what others wanted from me.

I spent my time as people told me, or how they had allowed me to spend it.

If someone didn't give me the green light, I wasn't able to do what I was most passionate about.

That realization shocked me to my core.

It took $80,000 of debt from musical theater school to recognize that this was the reality.

Not to mention the big upset of my big Broadway debut closing so soon.

I had to find a way to do what I loved all the time, regardless of being invited to or not.

I meditated on it, I cried about it, felt depressed about it.

I felt like I was journeying through a crowded forest battling my way through vines and fallen trees, trying to find my way out.

I was trying to find my true authentic voice as an artist.

Once I finally allowed myself to take that journey of curiosity, the clarity came.

I'll never forget the moment.

I was walking toward the water in Long Island City, my neighborhood at the time, and suddenly it was so incredibly clear to me.

No one can give you permission to create but yourself.

I froze, but this time in a positive way.

I had been so caught up in what others were asking me to do, that I had completely overlooked the bottom line.

At my core, I was an artist, an artist with active choice, and stories to tell.

I had a desire in me to get messy, and to create and express myself in a much deeper way than I was letting myself do.

I was struggling with my identity, and as an artist, I hadn't arrived yet, because I didn't know who I was.

For the first time in a long time, I once again yearned to create.

I finally gave myself permission.

What kind of permission do you need to give yourself today?

Is it permission to create?

To claim your true identity, or explore new parts of your expression?

Do you need to give yourself permission to take a break, to get a little louder?

Do you need to ask for support from someone for your creative ideas, or to be a teammate?

Have you been wanting to try something new?

Finally, are you currently a reflection of your most authentic self?

If you feel yourself starting to breathe a little deeper, or your soul is starting to rise up out of your chest with something more to say, I know in my heart we might be onto something starting today."

[music] Ashley Kate, there's a lot of people watching that maybe have a story to tell, they're thinking, "She's pivoted."

This is your BYOP: Be Your Own Producer book is the number one bestselling performing arts industry book, right?

It debuted, yes, as the number one book in the performing arts industry.

I believe it still.

You've done two books, because based on a little section of this, you wrote .. Leveraging Loss and Grief as Fuel for Productivity, dealing with the loss of your father.

That's right.

It inspired a deeper conversation about identity, and your creative works.

This first book is about creating something authentically new.

Then, this book is about creating from the depths of loss, and how those pivots do come about in our life when we lose those cheerleaders and backbones of our identity, and of our artistry.

It's like, if we sit in that grief and if we're present in that grief, I do believe that we might get clues to what might be next.

What makes you finish these books?

What advice would you give someone who's really trying, like, "I think I've got a story."

How do they get it done?

Honestly, I always say an hour a day.

I think that's a little tip I give in the first book.

Even if you're trying something new for the first time, we can all do something challenging for an hour a day, right?

It becomes compound.

When you give yourself an hour a day, sit at your desk to do something hard, weird, new, different, it really does.

It's like, "Okay, if I do that Monday, Wednesday, Friday," but then if you do that Monday, Wednesday, Friday for an entire year, you might have the full content for an entire book.

It's just like knowing that you can reach the end.

When you reach the end, you get to do so many fun things about it, and people g.. You never know, your work might actually impact or change somebody's life.

Pretty cool.

How can people follow you?

People can follow me, I'd say the number one way is through Instagram, @ashleykateadams, or if you want to follow BYOP, you can follow @BYOP_NYC.

My website, ashleykateadams.com.

You can also give me a follow on Goodreads, fellow readers, or Amazon.

Again, I said queen of all media.

[chuckles] We've got the corners covered, I think.

Ashley Kate, 30 minutes goes by so fast when you're having fun.

We've truly had so much fun having you I'm sure about your Broadway days, all that you have accomplished, your journey to West Tennessee, to Jackson, and now on to Savannah.

Have you set a date for the wedding?

-Yes.

-Okay.

That's coming up- -This spring.

--very soon this spring.

We're so glad to have you here.

Thank you for spending a little time with us here at Tennessee Writes.

Before you leave, would you sign your book for us?

-I'd love to.

-Thank you.

[music] Dear Peter and Channel 11, thank you for believing in me.

Love, Ashley Kate Adams.

Thank you so much.

We have a little thank you gift for you.

I'm obsessed.

It's our Channel 11 Tennessee .. It's an organizer, messenger bag, briefcase, notebooks- -Oh my goodness.

-water bottle, coffee mug, and a plethora of pens for future writings.

-Can't wait to put it to good use.

-That's yours.

-Thank you so much, Peter.

-You are so welcome.

We also want to thank you for watching this edition of Tennessee Writes.

We hope you'll join us again as we get up close and personal with another Tennessee author.

Remember, you can always stream these programs, past episodes, on YouTube and the PBS app.

Remember, as Walt Disney said, "A good story can take you on a fantastic journey."

I'm Peter Noll reminding you to keep on reading, Tennessee.

For comments about today's show, or to suggest a Tennessee author for a future program, email us at tennesseewrites@westtnpbs.org.

Tennessee Writes, on air and streaming now.

[music]