I’ve never been an exceptionally bold person. My strength was of the quiet sort, watching and listening, but never speaking up unless it was a dire situation. For many years I drifted along this way, a quiet girl with her nose in a book.

Until I auditioned for my first play...

It was a local theater company that one of my friends encouraged me to join. I auditioned when I was twelve years old for any role in the Act 1 Community Theater’s production of “A Little Princess”. And, I got a part! But, not just any part. I landed the role of Ermengarde, the best friend of the lead character. I had to learn how to stand on stage and play an angry British schoolgirl with a fondness for snapping at the other girls. At first, it was daunting. Then, it was liberating.

I found that I loved the feeling of losing myself in a character. It wasn’t me onstage, it was Ermengarde, a skater girl, an eighties pop singer, an English socialite, a magistrate, a mad scientist, a girl trapped in a house during the zombie apocalypse. These are just a few of the faces I’ve worn over the years onstage.

I have been acting ever since that first play. I have played two lead roles and many supporting and ensemble roles. But acting changed me for the better. I became braver, and more confident in myself. I met my best friend through acting and countless other wonderful people. I’ve learned that I don’t have to be a character reciting prewritten lines in order to speak up. I grew into someone I’m proud to be.