The Musical Wicked and the Journey to Uncovering Your True Voice
The story of Wicked speaks deeply to the journey we embark upon in Uncovering the Voice. For me, the tale of Elphaba and Glinda is not just an entertaining narrative—it's a reflection of the profound struggles we face when stepping into the truth of who we are, especially when that truth is unconventional, raw, and misunderstood by others.
When we meet Glinda at the beginning of the story, she is a character very much connected to her identity. She is popular, admired, and focused on being perceived as "good." She doesn't like Elphaba at first, seeing her as a threat, an outsider who doesn't fit the mold. But something changes when Elphaba, despite everything, does an unexpected kindness for Glinda—helping her gain entry into a class she desperately wanted to be in. This simple act of kindness opens Glinda to the possibility that there may be more to Elphaba than she initially thought. She begins to question, to stretch beyond her superficial perceptions, and in doing so, she steps into the beginning of a journey of higher consciousness. This middle level of awakening is what we call Astral Consciousness—it is where someone is willing to question, sacrifice, doubt, and evolve, though it still carries some degree of self-interest.
But it is Elphaba's journey that profoundly embodies the courageous transformation we aspire to in uncovering our voice—both literally and spiritually. In Act One's powerful song, "Defying Gravity," we witness her breaking free from societal constraints and expectations. She has realized that playing by others' rules and bowing to their limits is no longer an option. Despite not having full control over her powers, she knows she must leap—even if it means learning to fly on the way down. In that moment, she chooses to risk it all, trusting herself over any outside authority. This willingness to leap into the abyss, not knowing how it will end, is what real freedom requires.
In our journey to uncover our true voice, we are often faced with the same decision—to stay within the confines of what feels safe, accepted, and "good," or to step out, to defy gravity, to uncover what lies beneath the surface. It's a constant process of peeling back the layers of identity that keep us small and confined: the stories we tell ourselves, the traumas we have experienced, the roles we think we must play to be loved and accepted.
Through the vocal exercises and practices of A Supple Voice, we take the risks, we dare to fall—knowing that in falling, we learn to spread our wings. Singing becomes a practice of letting go of perfection, letting go of trying to control everything, and instead finding that balance between surrender and presence, between freedom and responsibility. Just as Elphaba learned to trust her instincts as she took flight, we learn to trust our voice, to let it reveal itself without judgment or fear.
And yet, Glinda represents another important part of this journey. When Elphaba invites her to come along, Glinda hesitates. She isn’t quite ready to take that leap into the unknown, despite the glimpse she has had of a different way. Many of us have been in Glinda’s shoes—caught between wanting to take the leap and the comfort of what we know. Glinda’s struggle to choose freedom over safety, and her hesitation, highlight how challenging this work can be. The world tells us to behave, to fit in, to follow rules that make us appear worthy. But worthiness isn't about outward appearances or the approval of others. Worthiness is about embracing the "I AM" within us, the eternal spirit that resides in each of us, regardless of where we come from or what we have experienced.
Singing, for me and for those I work with, is a powerful expression of this "I AM" spirit. It’s not about believing someone else will come and save us. It’s about tapping into that light within, the divine spark that is already there, and allowing it to guide our voice—and our lives. Singing becomes a path to transmute suffering into wisdom, loss into freedom, and joy into pure love. It’s not about striving for perfection or following a prescribed method; it’s about allowing the self to fully express, to resonate, and to find harmony with the world around us.
In Wicked, Elphaba's journey ultimately shows us that the only way to truly be free is to leap, to risk the fall, and to find our wings as we descend. It’s about letting go of the false securities that others may provide, and realizing that the power to rise is within us. In our singing, as in our lives, this means embracing every note, every breath, every moment of vulnerability, and trusting that the voice we uncover is the true expression of our soul—powerful, radiant, and free.
