Hi! My Name is Darwin Miller-Hogg, I use They/Them pronouns, and for my Capstone, I decided to write and do a production of this musical. While my ambitions to make a production out of this is ambitious and crazy, I haven't been known to be anything otherwise. My dad actually gave me the idea to write this musical. Although his idea was entirely different, I still credit him because he's the reason this is even happening.
But enough about that! You're here to learn who the heck I am.
I've been working on this project for the past two years but I've been a HUGE fan of Shania Twain since I was like four (she was one of my first concerts). Ever since then, listening to her has been a big stress reliever and a way to connect with my dad during long car trips.
I came out as Queer in 2018 and as Non-Binary in 2020. Since then I've legally changed my name to Darwin and having been living my best life ever since. Despite the constant disapproval from society, I'm so incredibly grateful for my peers at Chatelech Secondary who have done nothing but support me through my transition and ensure I feel accepted. I am so incredibly proud to call them my graduating class.
In my spare time I work as a concession worker at the Gibsons Cinema and as a Lifeguard with the SCRD (I know, weird combination). At my school I help represent Chatelech on the District Student Leadership Team (with a group of the most loveliest people ever from each school on the coast) to help improve our schools in SD46 and help make learning a little bit more fun
(a cast member of Team Starkid and Smosh!! - one of my many inspirations)
My Weird and Wonderful Fur Babies
Me and my family have been living on a small hobby farm in Roberts Creek for the past 10 years now, we have several different animals and all of them are very cute and very annoying. In total, I have four dogs (Bear - a growly Pomeranian -, Chewie - a grumpy Scottish Terrier -, Daffy - the most annoying Golden Retriever ever - and Lily - our resident wolfhound) two cats (Delilah and DJ) two alpacas (Lucy and Corey) three goats (Kevin - the dark brown goat -, Daisy - the black and white one -and Rosebud -the light brown one) three mini ponies (Hazel, Thelma and Louise) and finally, a herd of velociraptors (we raised them from chicks. They don't get names)
The plot to this musical has changed so many times but the biggest was when I lost my dog and best friend, Milo, this past July. Its the first big loss I have ever experienced and I miss him everyday. So, yes, I made the musical about grief since it helped me process what I was feeling. (And if any of you tell me that a dog isn't a big loss you clearly have never had pets)
My Evolving Love Of Musicals
I actually thought musicals were stupid and annoying until one of my friends introduced me to Hamilton, and the boulder slowly started rolling into an obsession. I started in the musical theatre program, run by the Legendary Ms Douglas, when I was in Grade 8 and continued into my Grade 10 year until she stepped down. Some of my favourite musicals? Come From Away, Waitress, Anastasia and Beetlejuice.
The Prom - preformed by Theatre Under The Stars in Vancouver! (I saw it twice with my best friend)
<- Not a musical, but such an amazing experience! This is where you watch Indiana Jones while an orchestra plays the soundtrack and themes.
Snyder in Newsies
(2020)
A short film I Wrote and Directed based off of the Starkid musical, Black Friday (2021)
Angus McGuffie in Brigadoon
(2022)
My Completed Audrey II Puppet!
(She's my prized possession)
My current beading work
The Jedi Cloak that taught me how to create my own patterns and sew from scratch! I made the tunic too!
A vest completed for my winter formal
The petticoat I made this March. I'm trying to work my way up to sewing a princess dress.
This DnD Cloak I made as a Christmas gift for my brother