Saying goodbye is never easy. Especially saying it to a passion that you've had for years. I started theatre at the beginning of my freshman year of high school as a way to keep up with my other passion that I had recently quit: dancing. I had no knowledge of how rehearsals worked, what tech week was, what went on back stage, or of a show other than Wicked. All I knew is that I wanted to dance, and since my school did not have a dance team, theatre seemed like the next best thing.

I was surprised with how quickly I fell in love with theatre. I loved being able to react to what was happening on stage instead of doing crazy facials. I loved to sing, even though it wasn't really my forte. I loved meeting so many new people with the same passion and background as me. And even though I was incredibly exhausted and sleep deprived, I loved spending all day every day at school with my best friends during tech week.

After finishing my first real show, The Phantom of the Opera, I was hooked. I auditioned at an all boys school, knowing absolutely no one, but just knowing that I couldn't wait a whole year to do another show. As my high school career continued, I would be in three shows during the school year and two or three during the summer, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my high school years. Throughout my high school career, I have performed in fifteen shows, and worked back stage for two shows.

Theatre was my life in high school, and as my first year of college began drawing to a close, I could not wait to come back in the summer and perform with all of my friends again. But summer break in college is way different than summer break in high school. This summer I had a job, plus vacations with friends and family. Rehearsal became something that I dreaded instead of something to look forward to. I was exhausted, trying to make some extra cash, and I barely had anytime to spare to see my friends and family. I soon knew that there was no way I could continue to perform and have a job, and have a social life. So I had to choose. And ultimately, my need for money outweighed my love of performing.

I will be forever grateful to my theatre career. Theatre gave me confidence, a good work ethic, and a knowledge I never would have learned in a class room. Theatre also gave me my best friends. I know these people will be with me on my wedding day, and that we'll be sitting in our rocking chairs together at the retirement home. They're more than just my friends, they're my family.

So here's to all the late night rehearsals, tech weeks, food breaks, costume quick changes, nerve-wracking auditions, parking lot hang outs, cast parties, dance partners, car jams, laugher, and fun that I had throughout my five years of theatre. It gave me more than I could've ever asked for.