Page 68 - Beauty Prime Magazine

Exploring the Journey
T
Thomas White’s diverse career spans acting, directing,
and writing. His novels, inspired by historical events
and personal experiences, captivate readers with
imaginative storytelling and emotional depth.
by J. Evans
Master
Storyteller
Across
Mediums
ney from the theater
Thomas White’s jour-
to the literary world
is a testament to the
power of storytelling
in all its forms. Beginning his
career as an actor, White quickly
transitioned to directing, earning
accolades such as Drama-Logue
and Critics awards. His role
as Artistic Director for a Los
Angeles theater set the stage for
his future endeavors, including
the world tour of “The Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coming
Out Of Their Shells,” which
captivated nearly a million chil-
dren worldwide. With a career
spanning over two decades as
President and Creative Director
of Maiden Lane Entertain-
ment, White has orchestrated
large-scale corporate events for
giants like Harley Davidson and
Microsoft. Now, as an acclaimed
author, he continues to weave
compelling narratives, with
his latest novel, “The Edison
Enigma,” adding to his growing
literary repertoire.
White’s diverse background in
theater and event production has
profoundly influenced his appro-
ach to writing. “As a director,
you tell stories using actors, sets,
props, and lighting. As an author,
you use your words,” he explains.
This seamless transition from sta-
Thomas White’s storytelling prowess and creative versatility make him a standout author, seam-
lessly blending history, imagination, and emotion.
ge to page underscores his belief
that the core objective remains
the same: to engage the audience
emotionally. Whether through a
theatrical production or a novel,
White’s goal is to captivate
and entertain, ensuring that the
audience remains invested from
beginning to end.
The Edison Enigma, White’s
third novel, delves into the
intriguing concept of time travel
and the consequences of altering
history. The inspiration for this
theme came from a corporate
event for Saturn in 1997, where
the electric car, the EV-1, was
unveiled. Years later, an article
titled “The Death Of The Electric
Car” sparked White’s curiosity
about the historical trajectory of
electric vehicles. His research
revealed a series of coincidences
at the turn of the 20th century,
leading him to imagine a scenario
where the world chose electric
cars over internal combustion
engines. This imaginative leap
forms the crux of The Edison
Enigma, blending science fiction
with historical speculation to
create a thought-provoking
narrative.
In The Siren’s Scream, White
explores the eerie Thornton Man-
sion and its mysterious tide pool,
a setting that exudes suspense
and dread. Initially inspired by
mermaid myths, White sought
to breathe new life into the well-
worn trope. The idea of mermaids
dealing with familial conflicts
and lineage sparked a storyline
that evolved into a gripping
tale of mystery and intrigue. By
reimagining the mermaid mythos,
White crafted a novel that stands
out in the genre, offering readers
a fresh perspective on an ancient
legend.
Justice Rules, White’s debut no-
vel, centers on FBI Special Agent
Brian Wylie and a vigilante coali-
tion. The plot was inspired by the
aftermath of the OJ Simpson trial,
particularly the emotional devas-
tation of Ron Goldman’s father,
Fred. This poignant moment led
White to ponder the lengths one
might go to seek justice outside
the legal system. The resulting
narrative explores themes of
justice and morality, challenging
readers to consider the complexi-
ties of revenge and retribution.
Recognition as a finalist in the
Pacific Northwest Writers Asso-
ciation 2010 Literary contest for
“Justice Rules” was a significant
milestone in White’s writing
career. Although he did not im-
mediately follow up with another
novel, the nomination affirmed
his talent and potential as a wri-
ter. Reflecting on the experience,
White acknowledges the honour
but also the overwhelming nature
of his accomplishment, which led
to a decade-long hiatus before his
next literary endeavor.
Balancing the creative demands
of writing novels with the
logistical challenges of producing
events is no small feat, yet White
finds parallels between the two
processes. “I always describe
my career as being someone
in production,” he says. Whet-
her producing plays, corporate
events, or novels, the skill set
remains consistent: envisioning a
project and bringing it to life. The
blank page, much like an empty
stage, represents both a challenge
and an opportunity for creativity
to flourish.
Thomas White’s multifaceted
career exemplifies the versatility
and resilience of a true storyteller.
From the theater to the corporate
world and now to the realm of li-
terature, his ability to engage and
entertain remains unwavering. As
he continues to craft new narrati-
ves, readers can look forward to
more captivating tales from this
accomplished author.
“
I always describe my career as being someone in production. I
produce plays, musicals, sales events, corporate meetings, pro-
duct reveals, novels, etc. The skill set is pretty much the same,
you create a vision in your head, then utilize your skill set to
make it come to life. Writer’s always talk about the blank piece
of paper and how there is nothing scarier. That is 100% true.
Thomas White
68 II BEAUTY PRIME