02/25/2026
Audiences are raving about this year's production, How the West Was Sung! We thought we'd take a minute to introduce you to our writer/director this year, Amy Ryan Pass ! We asked Amy to share a little about herself and her inspiration for this year's show and she was kind enough to do so.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. "My husband Nick and I live in Cold Spring with our 3 kids. Brooks is in the 7th grade and Emmy is in the 6th grade at St. Joseph and Evan is in 1st grade at Cline. I work at the UC Foundation fundraising for the Cancer Center and Neuroscience Institute. I'm a proud Swiftie and Disney adult."
How long have you been involved with SJDC? "Since 2009- this is my 15th show!"
What is your favorite role that you have gotten to play in the past and why? "Jill from All In A Day's Work. It was fun and funny and I was trio'd with Kasie and DJ who are just hilarious and awesome people."
Is this your first time writing and directing for SJDC? If not, which shows did you write/director in the past? "I also wrote and directed Let the Games Begin (2018) and Manor of Wife and Death (2019)."
What was your inspiration for How the West Was Sung? "SJDC had done a Western before but it was before my time and I thought it would be a great setting with familiar characters and situations and great costumes! It also gives us a chance to mix in a great variety of songs and some Old West and country flavor. I'll also say our amazing cast was the inspiration because the music is basically a buck list of favorite songs and great harmonies I've always wanted to see my friends perform."
Why should people come and see How the West was Sung? "There's nothing else like it! It's a great night out to come see your friends and neighbors shine, all to support St. Joseph Parish and School. Our cast and crew puts sp much time and heart into creating this show and we can't wait for people to see it!"
What are you most excited about seeing come alive during this year's show? "The musical numbers! The solos, harmonies, dancers... they've been so great in rehearsals and I'm excited to see how they come to life under the lights with an audience. I'm a little sad I won't be up there with them!"
What is your favorite show or memory from SJDC: "Too many to count, but lately I've been thinking about how cool it is that SJDC has become a generational tradition. So many members are here because their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings were members. Some of them ran around rehearsals when they were kids (like my kids do now) and now have kids of their own and the tradition continues. It's the best sense of community, family and coming together every year to create something meaningful. Such a blessing!"
Any final thoughts or shout outs you'd like to include? "The biggest shout outs to Nick and my kids, who understand the time and energy this takes and support me 1000% because they know how much it means to me. SJDC... let's give 'em a show!"
Thank you Amy for writing such an incredible show for SJDC this year! We are blessed to have you! Tickets are still available for Fridays performance! Call 859-444-6001 or visit http://sjdramaclub.org/ to get yours today!
