I never imagined myself in this position; on a stage, hand in hand with my fellow ensemble. The lights beamed out, and my classmates and I stood straight and took our bows. This is a hallmark of one of the many moments within my acting prowess; however, I wasn’t always passionate.
Since adolescence, I have always been drawn to the arts because of my family. My brother and sister had always adored writing, painting, and performing. However, after seeing my siblings act on stage–with the audience cheering for everyone–A part of me wanted to feel the pride in their lit-up faces.
My sibling’s accomplishments inspired me to leave my comfort zone and try out theatre. Standing on a stage with the thought of all eyes on me, I’d often find myself trembling. But, despite my fear, I continued to challenge myself to embrace theatre and predict its trajectory.
I remember enrolling in a theater class at the beginning of 6th grade. At the time, it appeared as an opportunity for a low-pressure free period where I wouldn’t have to do anything. However, that changed after performing my first monologue, and a spark emerged; acting was my passion. It wasn’t just amusement, it was something I truly loved.
I performed in the school’s Winter Fantasy and Coffee House productions during my freshman year. These productions began my realization that the peace theatre brought to a wild and troubled world. The experience of creating a performance gave me a sense of belonging that extended beyond the hurdles I faced off the stage.
Theatre became therapeutic. With every role I’ve touched, I’ve learned how to express my sorrow, fury, or ardor through acting–perfectly conveying the message and feelings, while adding my energy and emotion. In each performance, I strive to pour my feelings into the characters I play: discovering new parts of myself with each role I hadn’t understood before.
Acting helped me break out of my shell, have fun, and embrace everything that made me “me”. I learned how to “Give in to the weird” as my teacher, Ms. Sanford, says.
Theatre turned confusion into clarity for me. It became a place to express my creativity and skills without feeling disparate. In class, I found freedom; I could unapologetically be myself.
That creative environment quickly became a welcoming place to make friends and connect with new people. I was surrounded by people who shared the same interests and passion. There’s something special about building a show together, where each rehearsal and laugh stitches our cast into a family.
Theatre gave me a place of belonging; through this community, I’ve felt accepted through the strong connections with my classmates. Never dull, always kind, and full of friendships;
Being in the theatre has opened my eyes to what I want to do in the future. I’ve already got early acceptance to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), where I plan on getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theatre.
I’m eagerly counting down the days till graduation–each application will be a step closer to the life I dream about. Holding onto the hope that I’ll soon find myself in New York, chasing my dreams of being on that Broadway stage, bringing stories to life on screen.
