Everyone has regrets.

When I was in eighth grade, I had just moved from Eastern Ohio to Greenville, South Carolina. The new community, new school, new life. Honestly, I was nervous, shy, and more introverted than I am now. My sister, a freshman at the time, became involved in the high school's theater department. I admired her for getting involved so quickly, but I wasn't brave enough to follow in her footsteps right away.

Rather than signing up to be cast in the annual eighth-grade play, I decided to take an elective art class. I had a blast, became closer with some of the people I had met, and learned several techniques that I like to apply to my occasional art piece. Despite these great benefits, I realize now that I don't even know where those eighth-grade art pieces are. They're most likely collecting dust in one of my memory boxes in the attic at home. Remembered from time to time, but all together my work from the past has been forgotten.

As I moved into high school, I jumped right into the theater. Well, maybe "jumped" isn't the most accurate word. My introverted personality hadn't changed much over that year, so I suppose it was closer to me stepping lightly into the department's doorway. My motivation came from my sister's growing passion for theatrics. I wanted to be a part of the passion and experiences that she had so devoutly become a part of. I started small, keeping myself in the shadows of backstage, and eventually moved into the stage light for the spring musical.

And so began my constant and ever-growing love for theater.

I soon learned that the name for theater-goers is "thespian", and I hold to the name with pride. Four years of heavy involvement in my high school theater cultivated in me a better understanding of the world. It allowed me to grow in numerous friendships that I still hold with me today; friendships that have allowed me to realize who I am, and understand what it means to work together. I finished my high school theater career with a lead in the spring musical, and a wonderful title as scenic designer.

Reverting by a small percentage back to my introverted and shy temperament, I stepped onto Belmont Abbey's campus both excited and anxious for what lay ahead. I decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake I made in eighth grade; a regret that has taken five years to let go of. Three months later, I do not have a single regret as a first college freshman. This time, I really jumped right into college theater.

Just as I did in the past, I started in the shadows of backstage, helping with Abbey's first production of the season, Outside Mullingar. Since then, I have taken every opportunity that has been presented to me in order to thrust my entire self into the theater. For this reason, I am now performing in both King Henry IV Part 1 and Antigone. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Unlike my forgotten eighth grade art pieces, I have remembered each and every lesson from my theater experiences as both an actor and a writer. These lessons, although numerous and educational for the stage, have been elevated by the intense direction I have received as an Abbey player. Performing in a Shakespeare play has been one of the most difficult, but refining endeavors I have experienced in my entire theater career. I was truly shown what it means to commit to a character and support your fellow cast members. Theater is not my entire life, but I cannot speak about a single experience without linking it back to my time on the stage.

Being a first-time college thespian is challenging, more challenging than I realized. It takes hard work, discipline, and the ability to accept imperfection. But that is why it's so important. That is why in choosing to become a first-time college thespian is something I will never regret.