Deborah Heagen
Class of 2006
B.F.A., Musical Theatre/Acting
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center

Deborah Heagan (now Rizzo) graduated from Five Towns College with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and a concentration in Acting. Deborah pursued her passion at FTC while meeting some wonderful people along the way.

One such friend was FTC student Billy Misik who died of a glioblastoma brain tumor in 2006 at the age of 21. She was so touched by Billy’s plight that she began raising funds for the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). Her fundraising efforts included the formation of a group of runners called Team Carpe Diem in honor of Billy’s mantra, “Carpe Diem” (seize the day). Since 2012, Team Carpe Diem has raised nearly $20,000 for brain tumor research in Billy’s memory with runners participating in New Jersey, Georgia, and Illinois. Deborah was recently awarded the inaugural Juliana Schafer Spirit of Hope Award for all her volunteer efforts on behalf of the ABTA.

In addition to her charitable endeavors, Deborah became a board-certified Music Therapist in 2016. She says that she brings her musical theatre training to work every day because of the amount of singing and improv she uses while working with children at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ.

Outside of work, Deborah still pursues her love of theatre and entertainment. She is writing and starring in a children’s show called, The Music Corner Kids Club, an educational show for children. Her lead single, “Ribbit Ribbit Green,” will be released soon, along with the full album called, Come and Play. The album is being mastered by FTC alum Brint Ewart. Deborah’s rep is Leesa at LBC Talent.