Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Sedares
Hi Lisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a kid, I had a major interest in both science and music. I was always kind of bouncing between them, shifting priorities depending on what had the biggest need at the moment (for example, if a recital was coming up, I’d spend more hours at the piano and if a robotics competition was coming up, I’d be spending more hours in the workshop).
I kept up the back and forth through high school and college, double majoring in Astronautical and Electrical engineering in undergrad, getting a masters in piano performance, then back to engineering for a masters in space systems engineering, and finally an MBA to kinda figure out how to integrate the arts and sciences more formally into my life and learn the organizational and financial ins-and-outs of a business.
When I moved to LA in 2019, I joined the nonprofit Conundrum Theatre Company as their resident music director. I became the president of the board in 2020 and just recently stepped down in 2023 after 4 years of growth – both for me as I welcomed my daughter this past summer and the company as we hired our first executive director. Conundrum’s mission is to generate opportunities for working professionals who also still want to be a part of the performing arts outside their day jobs. I’ve met so many folks in Conundrum like me who work a job during the day that they’re passionate about but then come to rehearsal in the evenings just as passionate about musical theater and the arts. It’s pretty much my primary friend group!
Conundrum also allowed me the opportunity to write music. During the pandemic, I found my writing partner Jackie Brenneman, now current President and co-founder of Conundrum. We wrote a couple little musicals for YouTube called COVID Baking Competition and Quarantine Breakup, took the Core Curriculum at New Musicals Inc (NMI) together, and are now working on a full-length musical about Multi-Level Marketing and the myth of the American Dream.
For the past few years, my day job has been at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory with the Aerospace Corporation. It’s a really fun job filled with eccentric and crazy smart people. Almost every engineer I meet also has some major passion, like playing cello in an orchestra or trumpet in a concert band. We bring our whole selves to the job and I think it’s really important in LA that we celebrate spaces where you don’t have to be interested in just one thing. I’ve found a few other of those spaces around town, such as with the Burbank Community Band or the Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra (TACO) of LA.
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?
There are always challenges! The thing about competing priorities is that something is always at the bottom, and you gotta find a way to put that back at the top if it’s important to you, or do the hardest thing for me which is to let go.
The last year for me has been a challenge, juggling the all-too-common problem of balancing work/life/family. Going back to work postpartum was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. My daughter, Lois, is almost 1 now, and I feel like I’m finally in a rhythm (although it will change again tomorrow!). What’s working for me right now is understanding that the days and weeks can all look a little different depending on the priority of the moment. Some weeks I’m on work travel, so the priority is work and networking. Some weeks I’m working from home, so I can have lunch with my husband Lance & Lois. Some weekends are for exploring CA and checking out places like the Huntington Library & Gardens, and some weekends are for cleaning the house top to bottom. Some evenings are for binge watching Gilmore Girls, some evenings are for date night, and then some evenings are for board meetings. I think it’s been a real lesson in go-with-the-flow & self-care, which if you know me and my 5-year-plans, is not something I’m historically the best at.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At work, I’m a true systems engineer. NASA defines systems engineering as “a methodical, multi-disciplinary approach for the design, realization, technical management, operations, and retirement of a system.” The systems I typically work on are Earth-observing satellites, although more recently I’ve been fortunate enough to be learning some sides of the human-spaceflight missions as well such as Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and suit development.
I also apply “systems engineering” to the rest of my life, including as an artist/creative. A methodical approach works best for me when writing or rehearsing a song or musical. I think multidisciplinary really fits as well. In Conundrum, by definition of having members from all different industries with varying day jobs, you get really diverse perspectives both on the board, on the creative leadership teams, and in the cast and orchestra.
I tend to be really good at making a plan to get a thing done and seeing it through to closure. At work, recently that could be leading a Verification and Validation (V&V) effort to close requirements before launch. On the nonprofit side, it could be making a comprehensive budget and fundraising plan and sticking to it.
Any big plans?
I’m really excited about this new musical. We’ve got the book written and a few songs in development. We’re doing a fundraiser/concert this summer to raise money for a staged reading in the fall. Both me and my writing partner are working moms and we have lots to say about it, haha. I think this show is going to be relevant to lots of people and I can’t wait to finish it.
I’m also really excited for my daughter’s first birthday and planning some summer travel as a family to the east coast (where I lived for 10 years) and Alaska.
Next year, I’m planning to dust off my piano chops and put together a piano/percussion recital with my good friend Tyler Stell.
I think I’m at a place where I want to spend time doing things I love with people I love. I told Lance at the beginning of the year that my New Year’s Resolution was all the F’s. Family, Friends, and Fun. My hubs is the best and most supportive guy there is. Just this week he has been helping me upgrade my writing setup, with my keyboard and a computer and all the tools I need to record on the spot. I feel really good about the future right now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.conundrumtheatreco.com
- Instagram: @leeeeeesuh
- Other: TikTok @leeesuh
Image Credits
David Laurell
