Today we’d like to introduce you to James Rosenberger.
Hi James, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi Samantha, thanks for asking me to contribute! I’m a professional storyteller, musician and media artist. My background includes being trained as an educator, classical actor, director, producer and writer. This has led to work in international theatre, films, television, radio productions and corporate media. In 1978 I founded SPACES, Cleveland, Ohio, the state’s oldest multidisciplinary arts center (www.spacescle.org). After getting my Actors Equity card at The Playhouse in the Park in Cincinnati (www.cincyplay.com), I then appeared in projects for the National Film Board and CBC Radio in Canada. Then a new door opened: first at The Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati (www.contemporaryartscenter.org) and then transitioning to producing and creating corporate sponsored media and live events. Investing in yourself sometimes means stretching beyond your comfort zone and taking on risks not covered in textbooks! In 2006 my company, maxxmedia+events LLC began offering therapeutic music and storytelling to Seniors under the name Audible Therapies. Prior to the pandemic, Audible Therapies was visiting 18 communities a month, reaching over 9,000 residents a year! In 2010 I became a Clinically Certified Therapeutic Musician and began working with the Alois Alzheimer’s Center at their hospice settings, playing one-on-one at bedside with people in the final stages of life (https://jamesrosenberger.com/).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Can you imagine Samantha—attempting to offer something unfamiliar AND with no proven track record except citing examples of what other people were doing on the East and West coasts? Why would anyone in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana want to find new $$$ or reallocate existing funding from limited Activities budgets to try the unknown? I had to find new clients who would trust me to do something different. My Dad used to say, “all it takes is one.” I started offering a one-time showcase for little or no money as a proof of concept. My biggest challenge as a polymath has always been to convince people I can do multiple things and do them all well. Creating something original, then identifying new, multiple audiences is an ongoing challenge!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Having a variety of storytelling, musical and media projects from a steady stream of new and existing clients has been key to my success. To have been able to work with international artists like Robert Wilson, John Cage, Vito Acconci, Graham Nash, Bill T. Jones and The Bobs has greatly inspired my own creative work.
ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING I’M MOST PROUD OF: 2001 PBS special and resulting DVD “The Bobs Sing and Other Love Songs” which earned the respected Interactive-Entertainment Award, from INTERCOM 2002, Chicago, Illinois (view excerpt here: https://youtu.be/-XjKXwHKIFI); cable tv ascertainment study “Anticipating 1984: Creating Purposeful Programming” was chronicled in the seminal book “Cultivating The Wasteland” by Kirsten Beck; Wilson Branca Acconci: Images Sounds Objects“ features the works of Robert Wilson, Glenn Branca and Vito Acconci, with excerpts from Mr. Branca’s segment being included in the 40th anniversary of the punk feature film “Kill Your Idols” 2020 (view Branca segment here: https://youtu.be/PJWvxM5vtGc); “Flying Pigs, Andrew Leicester and Porkopolis” video celebrating the 30TH anniversary of the public sculpture “Gateway to Cincinnati” featured at The Westin Gallery, 2019 (view excerpt here: https://youtu.be/9xLbbhvSFZg); “Philosophie” French TV series featured my images of fugu, the Japanese poisonous blow fish . Aired on national TV in France March 2009 and in syndication in France and Germany through 2012 (view excerpt here: https://youtu.be/Dwgi-MKtf7I).
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
A 35-year marriage to my wife and partner Deb Kelley, my grandchildren and extended family members are all anchors keeping me thriving and loving life! Performing with my trio “THE HARMONIZING DYLANS” which features fellow guitarist Chris Noon (who I’ve known since high school) with Chance Brough on violin and string bass (view demo here https://youtu.be/EdLxbxEgPrQ) and lastly, bringing joy to Senior audiences, all contribute to my “mitzvah” or mission to do acts of kindness for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jamesrosenberger.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdrosenberger/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audibletherapies/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrosenberger/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maxxmediaplusevents
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-683826731
Image Credits
maxxmedia+events LLC
