Meet Pacey: Jewish Musical Theatre Lover of the Week

by GatherDC Staff / November 3, 2021

For a lot of us, these last nineteen months may have seemed more like “525,600 minutes.” But for this RENT fan who has lived with chronic illness most of her life, Pacey is used to staying home and adjusting to life’s challenges. We caught up with her this week to learn more about her love toward her hometown, how she connects with her Judaism, and the life hack that got her through the pandemic. 

GATHERDC: WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO DC? 

PACEY: I was actually born in the DC area and absolutely loved growing up here—it’s one of my favorite cities!

GATHERDC: AGREED! SO, HOW WOULD YOU SPEND A DREAM DAY IN DC?

PACEY: This is such a hard question, since there are so many dream day scenarios. But I would say I would head over to Georgetown for some window shopping and a stroll on M Street on an afternoon in the fall or spring since those are my favorite times of year here. The day would of course have to include cupcakes and a latte from Baked and Wired and dinner somewhere outside. 

GATHERDC: THAT SOUNDS DELICIOUS AND FAIRLY PANDEMIC-FRIENDLY. HOW HAVE YOU HELD UP DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME?

PACEY: I actually have chronic illnesses POTS and ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) so am used to having to stay home when I have a flare up. Having these illnesses has taught me that life is constantly changing. You just have to find ways to adapt. Zoom has been a lifesaver over the pandemic. I’ve used it as a great way to stay connected and make new friends, including those through GatherDC and the different Moishe Houses in the area who have all offered virtual programming! 

GATHERDC: SO GLAD YOU’VE BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE! WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

PACEY: I love film, TV, and theatre, so anything performing arts related. I either watch a TVshow (Only Murders in the Building on Netflix is my new favorite) or  listen to music or an audiobook. I also started volunteering for a non-partisan organization called When We All Vote. I’m one of their Voting Squad Captains and have been hosting virtual events for them during the pandemic.  

GATHERDC: VERY COOL! WE HEARD THAT YOU ALSO VOLUNTEER VIA INSTAGRAM?

PACEY: Haha, yeah sort of! My friend Emily Steffensmeier started an organization called Rowe’s Research Runners. It’s a group that organizes community runs to raise awareness and funds for medical research around Dysautonomia, ME/CFS, Long COVID, and related illnesses run by my doctor Dr. Peter Rowe at Johns Hopkins University. I volunteer with them and created and now run their instagram account (@RowesResearchRunners).

GATHERDC: THAT’S GREAT! WE ALSO HEAR YOU’RE A FAN OF MUSICAL THEATRE? 

PACEY: Yes! People are usually surprised when I tell them I sing, but I grew up doing musical theatre and I love to perform! The musical RENT is one of my all-time favorites and for the 25th Anniversary this year I was able to perform at a virtual open mic hosted by New York Theatre Workshop. It was such a wonderful experience and I’m truly grateful I was able to be a part of it.

GATHERDC: GOOD FOR YOU! IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY THREE PEOPLE TO YOUR SHABBAT DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY? 

PACEY: Relatedly, it would be Broadway greats Barbra Streisand, Mandy Patinkin, and Idina Menzel. We would have a fabulous time singing and schmoozing. 

GATHERDC: WOULD LOVE TO BE THERE. WHAT’S SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE JEWISH FOOD? 

PACEY: Some of my favorite Jewish food memories are eating my grandmother’s kugel for Break Fast as a kid. For Jewish food in the area, I love Bethesda Bagels and Attman’s Deli! 

GATHERDC: LOVE IT. AND FINALLY, FINISH THIS SENTENCE. WHEN JEWS GATHER…

PACEY: We have a great time!