Meet the Creators

Stevens & Wooden are composers & contributors to musicals such as ALBERT CASHIER, HILLS ON FIRE, PAPER OR PLASTIC, and more.

Their work has been called “Musical Genius At Work” (Picture This Post), and focuses on personal stories with lyrical depth and natural, driving rhythms.

  • Story, Music & Lyrics

    Joe Stevens is an Americana singer-songwriter, composer, and trans rights advocate. Originally from Sacramento, Stevens got his start with alt-Americana band Coyote Grace, and performed with great names like the Indigo Girls, Melissa Ferrick, and Lowen & Navarro.

    Stevens is best known for his contribution as one of the first wave of transgender performers to break through into public consciousness. His first musical, ALBERT CASHIER was named “Best New Musical” for the 2018 Chicago Jeff Awards, and permanently changed the gendered categories of Chicago theater awards. Their next musical HILLS ON FIRE was recently a Finalist for the 2023 Relentless Awards, the largest musical theater prize in the US.

  • Book, Music, & Lyrics

    Keaton Wooden is a Rhodes and Emmy-nominated writer, composer, and producer. Recent credits include the musical ALBERT CASHIER, which had a reading with Tony-winner Michael Mayer, the scifi series DARK STAR with oscar-winning producers of “Crazy Heart”, and HILLS ON FIRE, which was named Finalist for the 2023 Relentless Awards. As a screenwriter, he was winner of the AFM Pitch Conference, Finalist for the London Film Awards, NexTV Pilot Competition, and Script Pipeline. As a social impact producer, his social justice film “Kenneth Chamberlain” with Executive Producer Morgan Freeman. Wooden specializes in art towards positive social change, to directly impact the community. To date, he has helped raise millions for charity, and multiple award-winning projects in the arts around the country.

See the Impact

Hills On Fire is dedicated to creating tangible impact in the world. By donating today, proceeds go to addiction charities in Appalachia.