This month we have the inside scoop on our very own star of stage and the circulation desk, Kasey K.  In this exclusive for the O’Fallon Public Library Blog, Kasey reveals never-before-published details of her life in front of the footlights, backstage, and how she takes it easy at home.  Remember folks, you read it here first!  Stay tuned for Kasey – In Her Own Words.

Almost six months ago, I began working as a Circulation Assistant. At the news, several of my friends reacted less with excitement (though it was implied) and more with wry smirks and snarky statements like, “Of course you got that job. Of COURSE you work in a library now.”

The general consensus seemed to be that this position would suit me. And it does.

I’ve always been “that sort” of person, “that sort” with their nose in a book. I grew up a military brat and I’ve lived everywhere from California to New Jersey, from Germany to Japan. Few things remained constant in my life besides the stars in their constellations and the books in my hands. Orion in the night sky and Harry Potter on my bookshelf gave me all the stability I needed even as the landscapes around me changed so sharply.

In adulthood, my reading choices have grown to be somewhat drier than boy wizards, however. I tend hard towards nonfiction, biographies, and history. More than anything else, I read plays. As of this writing, I’m on a personal quest to read every play written by a particular playwright, Edward Albee, whose life story and attitude are so interesting I  want to consume all of his works. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and A Delicate Balance are masterpieces of the craft and my favorites so far.) 

Whenever I’m not at the library, I’m usually at the theater. Looking Glass Playhouse in Lebanon, IL, is practically my second home. Since I began volunteering there, I have participated in 20 productions, usually as part of the Stage Crew. I feel a lot of satisfaction in being a cog in the machine that makes live theater run. So much more than most people realize goes into the process of running even the simplest shows (and frankly, LGP seldom does “simple” shows). I love the bustle, the activity, the camaraderie, the urgency of it. In all, when we’re in production on a show, I can spend as much time at the theater as I do at the library. It’s exhausting but always worth it.

In addition to working stage crew, over the years I’ve also appeared onstage in four shows; Ripcord; Almost Maine; Peter and the Starcatcher; and most recently, Matilda. About a year ago, I also appeared in a short play festival called Transluminate in St Louis put on by The Q Collective. Branching out to work with a new, professional, production company was an enthralling and rewarding experience that I loved every minute of, and I hope to work with them again in the future.

Acting is nutty work – best reserved for only those with the most manic energies and temperaments. I honestly do my level best to just keep up, and I think I do okay.

Aside from all of that, I am also a hardcore music junkie. I maintain a vinyl collection full of works by Janis Joplin, Billy Joel, Jim Croce, and Helen Reddy. As far as modern music goes, my taste tends towards more indie outfits such as The 1975, LP, Tegan and Sara, and Hippo Campus.

Above and beyond all, though, I adore Fleetwood Mac. I’ve read multiple biographies of the band members and own a good chunk of their discography on vinyl – but not yet all of it! Oh, how I quest!. I also named one of my cats Stevie after the White Witch herself – Stevie Nicks! Not that I’m obsessed or anything….

Come find me at the Circulation desk if you ever want to chat about musicals, memoirs, or Fleetwood Mac albums!

Kasey Recommends:

Come From Away Original Broadway Cast Recording – tells the true story of 38 planes and almost 7,000 passengers from around the world that were diverted to the small community of Gander, Newfoundland on September 11, 2001, doubling its population in an instant. Starring: Petrina Bromley, Geno Carr, Jenn Colella, Joel Hatch, Rodney Hicks, Kendra Kassebaum, Chad Kimball, Lee MacDougall, Caesar Samayoa, Q. Smith, Astrid Van Wieren, Sharon Wheatley, Produced by David Lai, Ian Eisendrath, August Eriksmoen, Irene Sankoff, and David Hein ; music supervision by Ian Eisendrath ; orchestrations by August Eriksmoen.

High School by Tegan Quin and Sara Quin – is the revelatory and unique coming-of-age story of Sara and Tegan Quin, identical twins from Calgary, Alberta, who grew up at the height of grunge and rave culture in the nineties, well before they became the celebrated musicians and global LGBTQ icons we know today. While grappling with their identity and sexuality, often alone, they also faced academic meltdown, their parents’ divorce, and the looming pressure of what might come after high school. Written in alternating chapters from both Tegan’s and Sara’s points of view, the book is a raw account of the drugs, alcohol, love, music, and friendship they explored in their formative years.

Say You Will by Fleetwood Mac – Lindsey Buckingham hadn’t recorded a studio album with Fleetwood Mac in 16 years when Say You Will was released in April 2003. His partner, Stevie Nicks, had been missing in action from the group since 1990; it had been a long, long time since the two made new music for the Mac.  Contents: What’s the world coming to — Murrow turning over in his grave — Illume (9-11) — Thrown down — Miranda — Red rover — Say you will — Peacekeeper — Come — Smile at you — Running through the garden — Silver girl — Steal your heart away — Bleed to love her — Everybody finds out — Destiny rules — Goodbye — Goodbye baby.

• The Librarian’s Guide to Notable Nonfiction
• Managing Your Mental Health One Day at a Time 
• Ashley is history
• Coming Soon!
• Fun Finds on the Holds Shelf