Meet Larry Zeiger | Educator, Photographer, Author, Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Larry Zeiger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larry, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and my parents taught me to be passionate and dedicated in whatever I do with my life. From a very young age, I fell in love with music, theater, cinema, and photography and wound up becoming a teacher devoted to the creative arts.

I was fortunate to be at Point Loma High School in San Diego where the English Department was piloting a program in semester English electives, and my first year there, I developed two classes – Cinema as Literature and Musical Theatre as Literature. I would take my students on field trips to film studios in L.A., as well as Film Festivals in San Diego, LA, and Palm Springs and would encourage them to enter their films in festivals. Many of their films were screened in festivals in San Diego and Palm Springs and several of my students continued their love of cinema by becoming producers, directors, actors, writers, and films editors.

I also developed a program after we studied several musicals in which students would collectively write, direct, and perform in an original musical. Many times we would take current events and adapt them into musicals. One of the most famous shows was STICKY FINGERS – A TALE OF SAKS, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE which was based on Winona Ryder’s shoplifiting incident at Saks 5th Ave. The musical went viral and was written about in the New York Times, LA Times, and students in my cast appeared on CNN, MSNBC, etc and in magazines like Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, etc. I ultimately directed and performed piano in 31 of these musicals with casts of often over 100 students. One of my main goals was to encourage all students to take these performance classes even if they said they could not sing or dance. I would have a poster on my classroom door that said, “If you can talk, you can sing.! And if you can walk, you can dance!” This was truly a unique program and I was so proud of my students who became Oscar winners, Tony winners, and Emmy winners over the years.

Since I left teaching, I have served on the Board of Directors of the Centro Cultural de la Raza – the Latin Arts Museum in San Diego, the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, and currently, the Point Loma Hervey Public Library where I organize monthly music events for the public. In addition, I co-authored a book where every story is paired with a specific wine, NICE LEGS – A TALE OF WINE AND WORDS and have also created music 3 CD’S of original songs, SWEATING PALMS and MEETCHU IN MACHU PICCHU – plus I’ve created two music videos which have played in several film festivals. I also co-authored an original musical which hopefully will be produced one day. And my passion for photography continues in my lifetime. Most recently, my photography show, COLOR MY WORLD is on display in San Diego. Finally, this year, I co-produced a short film, FUEGO (Passion) that has won several awards in film festivals in the United States.

Dedication, love of the arts, and creativity have been the driving force of my success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I was growing up, I watched every classic and new film that came out. Foreign films were especially insightful but I loved the classics by Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Stanley Donen, and more. I thought for sure I wanted to be a filmmaker in Hollywood. But at the age of 16, I developed a severe case of Psoriatic Arthritits which has been with me all my life. After receiving my college degree at the University of Miami, I moved to San Diego to get my Masters Degree in Mass Communications and while studying at San Diego State University, I took a job as a teaching assistant at a school in La Jolla and fell in love with teaching. I still thought I was going to become a filmmaker and got accepted at USC School of Film for my PhD but at the last minute due to medical issues, I made the decision to stay in San Diego and pursue a teaching degree. Everything I loved – art, music, film, writing, creativity – becamse the essence of my teaching career and I truly loved the experience and today, I continue working in photography, writing, and music and assisting others in these areas.

I am also proud of being recognized for my work by being a San Diego Teacher of the Year and winner of the Old Globe Theater Award for Excellence in Education, the Channel 10 Leadership Award, the California Golden Bell Award for Best Visual and Performing Arts Program in California, San Diego Champions for Children Award, the Southwest Regional Emmy Award, and this past year, I was inducted in the 2022 San Diego Music Hall of Fame and the San Diego City Council named a day after me in 2007.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my best friend to Balboa Park to see the magnificent park and museums, Ocean Beach for the best sunsets and 60’s vibe in the country, Chula Vista for great Mexican food and Mariachi Music performances, Barrio Logan for an incredible walk seeing the most magnificent murals ever, La Jolla for a walk along the coast and the wonderful art galleries, Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma for a magnificent walk at sunset, Old Town for a look at our Mexican history and art, Paradise Point Resort for a beautiful walk and dinner experience – And Little Italy, one of my favorite areas of San Diego – beautiful architecture and a wonderful piazza and terrific restaurants.

I love San Diego and there are so many great places to go to – and for restaurants and places to hang out – I recommend – Third Corner, Old Venice, Civico 1845, Hugo’s Mexican Restaurant, El Cruce 241, Nonna, Pali Wine, Ciccia Osteria, and Wonderland in Ocean Beach for sunse! There are many great places to dine that have live music as well – love to go to La Central in Chula Vista for Mariachi Music on Sunday, The Good Bar in Point Loma for music, Humphrey’s Backstage for jazz,, the Westgate Hotel, Tio Leo’s, The Jazz Lounge, Tony’s Martini Bar, Winston’s, Eddie V’s, and more!

The theater scene is also great including the La Jolla Playhouse, Old Glober Theater, Cygnet Playhouse, OnStage Plalyhouse, North Coast Repertory, Lamb’s Thearer, Coronado Playhouse, and lots more!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wish to dedicate my shoutout to all my former students who inspired me with their love of learning, their creativity and dedication, and their friendship over the years. I taught approximately 7,000 students and directed over 3,000 in musicals. They have touched my lives forever. In addition, my wonderful parents, sister, and brother have always been so supportive of my work.

Website: http://lzeiger.wixsite.com/zeiger-production

Facebook: Larry Zeiger