Living the Dream: Dayna Speed
Photo by Berenice Ku Sullivan
Dayna Speed founder and president of TMC Arts.
Many of us have had a great idea and thought, “I would love to start my own __________ (fill in the blank).” Over time, I plan to explore the dream and the folks that are creating those dreams right here in Castro Valley. They are “living their dream.”
For the past six years Dayna Speed ruminated, “When I retire, I’m going to start my own musical theater company in my own hometown!” The problem with that thought process is that no one who knows Dayna can imagine her ever retiring.
But this spring, without eliminating any of her many jobs, she hung out her new shingle, TMC Arts. Dayna is partnering with Castro Valley Arts Foundation to produce her first musical, Bright Star, which opens August 19, at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts.
Without knowing it, Dayna has been preparing for her dream since attending Marina and Livermore High Schools. There, she always found herself in charge of costumes for the school plays. She continued “costuming” for her daughter Tori’s dance studio, local theater groups, and Castro Valley High School productions. Her own onstage experience included singing lead for rock bands in the ‘80s and ‘90s and later performing as a studio backup singer. She also taught voice.
She honed her producer skills over the years, helping her husband Mel with The Music Company (TMC), the family business. TMC was first a record store and later a DJ service. Today TMC provides corporate event planning with an emphasis on sound. Dayna and Mel provided all the AV needs for a fundraising event for President Biden during a recent visit to the Bay Area. Dayna is also in charge of the Orinda and Pleasant Hill Summer Concerts. And if that isn’t enough, Dayna is the Event Coordinator for the Castro Valley Eden Chamber of Commerce, for whom she produces the Fall Festival and the Holiday Light Parade. It is no surprise that Dayna says she “doesn’t sleep much.”
Dayna has been asked, “Why Bright Star?” for the maiden voyage of her new company, TMC Arts. “Once I saw the Broadway version of Bright Star, I wanted everyone to see this beautiful show which has so much to offer about overcoming life’s obstacles…and the music is exquisite.” Dayna was touched by the outpouring of actors who wanted to be part of this show. One of the leads, Rachel Powers, traveled here from Washington for her “dream role.”
Dayna is already planning next summer’s musical, although the title is still a secret. Dayna hopes the community will come out to give TMC Arts a look! “I guarantee you will fall in love with Bright Star like I did.” Ticket information: cvartsfoundation.org/shows/