Meet Meg Parker Wilson & Lisa Apple | New Musical Writers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meg Parker Wilson & Lisa Apple and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meg Parker Wilson & Lisa Apple, how does your business help the community?
Meg Parker Wilson (co-writer/director) and Lisa Apple (co-writer/composer) were inspired to write a musical on the topic of mental health, after walking through the tragic effects of mental illness in both of their families. The story of Lisa’s brother, James and his tragic death is a sad but clear choice as a vehicle for informing others about the heartbreak of suicide and the need for more conversations on the topic of mental illness. Boy on Billboard the Musical is the product of hard work and a passion to make the world a more beautiful place.

According to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, 48,183 Americans died by suicide in the year 2021. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. and every day, approximately 132 Americans die by suicide. In fact, there is one suicide death in the U.S.every 10.9 minutes. Tragically, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year-old Americans (www.save.org).

Lisa: As educators and professional artists, we see these statistics played out daily in real life. My brother was an amazing young man with a beautiful soul, unique talent and so much to give the world. We didn’t realize he was struggling so intensely. Our aim is to make sure people don’t feel alone. If we can offer a story that presents a truth that is broken but beautiful, we believe communities will be awakened to the possibility of healing.

Meg: The subject of mental illness is still very off limits in society. Often, those who suffer  would rather hide than admit that they are victims of mental diagnoses. Although recent progress has been made, those whose lives are negatively affected day to day from mental illnesses need more than what the medical community and current culture have to offer. The first step to solving a problem is by confronting the ugly truth head on.

Lisa: The story is not only about my brother and based on my family, but is full of stories that have been shared with us since we started the journey. Written in the script are quotes and experiences from people who were hospitalized and treated, have worked in the medical industry or have family members in recovery or healing. It’s not just our story, it’s a shared story.

Meg: The music is beautiful! Lisa is an incredible songwriter and as a little surprise we get to hear a few of James’ own lyrics, taken from his notebooks and turned into compositions that will be shared with the world. Lisa has done an incredible job of storytelling through the original music and also honoring her brother.

Lisa: It hasn’t been easy, especially trying to tell a story that is so personal. At first it felt a little like airing out my family’s dirty laundry. Why would we write a musical based on the moment when my brother was standing, naked, on top of a billboard in downtown Fort Worth? Reading the story in the news and the awful comments people were making, it was hard to believe it was all real. Did anyone even care that his family was standing in a police trailer at the bottom of that billboard praying to God that he wouldn’t jump? How could I relive and recount this story in our family’shistory, knowing that James died from accidental suicide just six months after the billboard incident? This certainly wasn’t a story with a happy ending, but the response after the first preview was incredible. The people who came up to me and shared a similar story or heartache made me stronger in my conviction that we had to write and produce this show.

Meg: It’s important for people to understand that we aren’t defined by the ugly moments in our lives. James is not defined by that one incident. Individuals who are at the mercy of their minds often get labeled and stereotyped by some of the things that happen to them. We want to change that perception and that attitude! At the same time, we want families to know that they aren’t alone. Being a family member of someone who is undiagnosed or untreated or has taken their own life is overwhelming at times. We hope and believe that Boy on Billboard will give its audience a chance to begin the healing process.

Boy on Billboard is a stirring contemporary musical about the life and family of James Apple and his older sister, Ellie. After a particularly dramatic episode involving James, a billboard downtown, and a looming storm, this American family is forced to come to terms with James’ unnoticed and untreated schizophrenia. Based on a true story, Boy on Billboard is an intense personal journey, revealing that the least likely of people may be suffering through the darkest of secrets. This original musical, written by James’ sister, Lisa Apple, and Meg Parker-Wilson, is a powerful commentary on family, love, and the hidden truths of mental illness today.

Upcoming shows
Friday, May 12 at 7pm
Saturday, May 13 at 1pm and 6pm

FUMC-Richardson
503 N Central Expy,
Richardson, TX 75080

Tickets: boyonbillboard.com

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Lisa: It definitely hasn’t been easy!

Meg: But it has been fun! Working with each other has been an incredible joy, but of course not without its bumps.

Lisa: And maybe we’ve even been mad at each other or hanging up the phone sometimes. We are kind of like sisters now.

Meg: That is so true! We continually have to learn how to set aside ego in order to collaborate and come up with the highest quality production.

Lisa: It’s not often you hear of a female-female musical playwright team so we are very proud of how we have managed to make our relationship work and keep our friendship strong.

Meg: Of course we are most proud of the product that came out of this endeavor. We have produced an incredible book with a full score. Directing this show for its first major public run is definitely something to celebrate.

Lisa: The personal growth we have both experienced and the strides we have made as a team is something we remind ourselves of frequently. It’s been amazing to stretch ourselves as artists and learn new things.

Meg: We are so thankful to have had this opportunity and sometimes still in shock to be where we are now.

Lisa: I guess our brand is all about authenticity. Everything we have written comes from the truth. Some dialogue and lyrics are real quotes we have heard, thought or said. All of the hope we have written into the show is how we authentically feel about the world.

Meg: Lisa and I are just who we are. We are often very goofy. We love a good laugh session while we brainstorm, but we are always truly ready to share the deep and meaningful moments going on in our lives.

Lisa: If you know us, then, you know, what you see is what you get!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas Fort Worth has so much to offer for entertainment and culture!

Some of our favorite plays and shows have taken place at the Dallas Bathhouse Cultural Center.
DeLucca Goucho Pizza & Wine offers the most incredible menu of Brazilian pizza and hospitality.
Check out McKinney’s historic downtown area for lovely architecture, restaurants and shopping.
Sundance Square in Fort Worth is always an interesting place to visit for an afternoon or evening.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We want to dedicate this Shoutout and this show to our family.

To James Apple (Lisa’s brother) and to Nate Wilson (Meg’s husband)

To Heath Bromley our business partner and friend.

To the actors and artists who have become family and who stayed with us through the creation process.

To the donors and audiences who believed in us and have made this story come to life from page to stage!

Website: boyonbillboard.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyonbillboard/?hl=en

Facebook: Boy On Billboard

Youtube: https://youtu.be/8JsxfaU6NsU

Image Credits
Kelly McLeod Steve Sickman