Todd Almond

TODD ALMOND is a performer, songwriter, and playwright whose work spans both stage and screen. His latest musical, I’M ALMOST THERE, directed by Tony Award-winner David Cromer, made its world premiere at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, produced by Audible Theater and Francesca Moody Productions. Todd was recently seen on Broadway in the acclaimed GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, the Conor McPherson/Bob Dylan musical that debuted at the Public Theater before transferring to the Belasco Theatre. His new book, SLOW TRAIN COMING, published by Bloomsbury/Methuen, is part memoir, part oral history chronicling the journey of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. Almond co-wrote and was music director for Laura Benanti’s one-woman show, NOBODY CARES. He is the co-founder with Lear deBessonet of Public Works at the Public Theater, where he composed, co-wrote, and co-starred in musical adaptations of THE TEMPEST, THE ODYSSEY, and THE WINTER’S TALE, all staged at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Additionally, his musical KANSAS CITY CHOIR BOY, in which he co-starred with Courtney Love, played in New York, and toured the U.S.; and his musical GIRLFRIEND (based on Matthew Sweet’s album) has enjoyed productions across the U.S. and Japan. A frequent collaborator with luminaries such as Sarah Ruhl, Suzan-Lori Parks, Jenny Schwartz, and Sherie Rene Scott, Todd has also performed alongside Kelli O’Hara and Andrew Rannells. On screen, he has appeared in "Law & Order: SVU" and the HBO Max reboot of "Gossip Girl". Todd is a graduate of CCM. http://www.toddalmond.com/.

Theater. Theater requires that we gather, it cannot happen without the performers and/or the audience. What is created at any performance is something between the stage and the seats--I love that. We need each other.

I think everyone should take each of their coworkers to a long lunch and interview them about the time they've spent together and the experiences they've shared. We don't always truly know the people we spend our lives with.

My first TED was last year, as arranger and pianist for the big "Impossible Dream" moment at the end of Lear deBessonet's speech. I can't stopped thinking about TED since then, how it opened up my mind helped me reconnect to the positive forces at work within humanity. What a thrill to be back.