Walnut Creek Mom Balances Show Biz, 2-Year-Old and Annie!

Tielle Baker is a one-woman band. 

No, she's not tooting a horn while clanging cymbals and doing a jig, but those might be the only three things she isn't doing…yet.

Born, raised and still living in Walnut Creek, Baker teaches private voice lessons, is the founder and director of Music Box Theatre Co., the mother of two-and-a-half-year old Harlan, and is married to Benjamin Hough. Beginning Friday, she will play Grace in the Diablo Theatre Company's production of Annie at the Lesher Center for the Arts. 

With Annie (running through October 2), Diablo Theatre Company gets busy with a family-friendly Tony Award-winning season opener. Based on Harold Gray's 1920s and 1930s comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, the musical tells the story of young girl who escapes from a Dickensian orphanage and makes her way in the world by pluck, hard work and a spirited disposition. 

Pluck, hard work, spirit: These are qualities that could be applied to Baker, whose resume´ includes appearances with favorite local companies, Crossroads Theatre, Belasco Theatre Co., Willows Theatre Company, and Livermore Valley Opera.

Her list of accomplishments should make her sit down in the nearest  chair – except that she's too busy to stop moving.

Amid the assorted types out for morning coffee, Baker manages to pause, just long enough for an interview. With her son along, and equipped with matchbox cars, peanut butter sandwiches and the largest chocolate chip cookie this side of the San Francisco Bay, Baker fields questions and crumbs with equal aplomb.

"This is the fourth time I've been in Annie," she begins. "I've been in the ensemble when I was 6, Molly at 9, Miss Hannigan when I was 14.  Now, at 29, I'm Grace, the secretary to Oliver Warbucks." 

She flashes a smile that can only be described as dazzling, inhales deeply and adds, "Every character has a bit of you in it. I find a connection to Grace because of how much organization is necessary."

As if to help his mother make her point, Harlan requires juice—check--and a road for his cars, which Baker constructs with napkins. Check.

"Grace is a classic musical theater soprano," Baker says, picking up the conversation seamlessly.  "It's the voice—I'm not a belter—my voice is just right for the part."

Oddly, even sadly, what also makes her "right for the part" was quitting the Actors' Equity Association.  "As a male, you can get any part," Baker explains, "but as an equity female actor, you're a dime a dozen."  This is especially true in the dog-eat-dog world of musical theater, including in the Bay Area theatre scene. Membership in the union, which sets minimum salary requirements, can mean less opportunity. 

"I dropped it [membership] because I wanted to work," she says.

That fact, stated plainly, proves sour grapes are not consumable in Baker's world. 

"You never really get any feedback when you audition.  And you can't take it personally.  If you don't have a tough skin, you'll crumble," she says. "I have a thick skin." 

Again, the smile appears and a fleeting image of Glenda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz passes across the subconscious.

"Make your own opportunities," Baker declares, abruptly breaking the spell.

She's talking about life as a freelancer—as actor or any of any other craft. Specifically, she's talking about Music Box Theatre Co., the Walnut Creek children's theater company she founded in 2009. "I was working for groups in the community and I thought, 'I could do this on my own!'  

This summer, Music Box's eight-week Summer Theatre Education Program sold out.  "It's not just 'put on a show,' but how to put on a show," Baker says. 

Under her direction, the cast worked with live musicians, learned acting techniques, analyzed characters, prepared headshots and resumes, and presented 13, The Musical, at Lafayette's Town Hall Theater.

"Me!" Harlan shouts, interjecting himself.  His mother's trailblazing focus swings 100 percent to her son, who, grasping the dollar bills she magically pulls from thin air, toddles off to the counter for the previously mentioned cookie.  "I've learned how to keep my childlike innocence on stage; without being childish," Baker says, about her role as mother and actor.  "And I don't go to every audition anymore."

Daydreams of Broadway couldn't be further away.  "I thought of going to New York once," she admits, "but there's my family and friends here—and so much theater!  I can't leave." 

She can, however, envision a brighter theater scene:  "I wish there was more camaraderie between the companies.  I don't blame them for wanting to be the best, but—"

Baker leaves the phrase dangling, falling strangely silent. There's a far-away look in her eyes and a vibration in the air, as if imaginary partnerships, marketing plans, festival proposals, grant applications and other solutions are forming a list in her head. 

"Make your own opportunities," she says. While scooping cars and cookies and child into her arms, "make your own opportunities" might be a good title for the Tielle Baker story.

Annie opens Friday and plays through October 2 at the Lesher Center for the Arts. For tickets and information, visit www.lesherartscenter.org

And, here's a special treat for patrons of the Friday night and Sunday matinee performances. Bring your camera and have your photo taken with cast members before the shows start at 8 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. The photo sessions with "Annie" and her beloved dog "Sandy" will take place at the entrance to the Lesher Center.