I was 4 when my parents took me to Disney and begged them to sit through a live performance of Beauty and the Beast. I watched magic come alive for the first time in my life. I watched the actors engage the crowd, but more importantly I saw the light in the actress who was playing Belle when she acted and sang her way into my child heart. That was the first time I ever witnessed the magic of theater.

I was 10 when I saw my first Broadway show, which ironically was Beauty and the Beast. But that same year, I also got to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. I remember feeling embraced by culture, and a longing to be on the stage that day. That Broadway show made me love theater more, but gave me insight on how hard and dedicated I had to be if I was going to be on that stage.

I was 13 when I was in my first play. I had two lines, but I was still extremely proud. I remember being in the prop room with the crew and loving every minute of it. My whole family came for my two lines every night of the show. Having those two lines the first time made me want more lines the next.

I was 19 when I was signed to a talent agency in North Carolina. During that time, I got to perform on stage a monologue and a commercial script and a small 5 minute dialogue. I practiced everyday after school with one of my favorite teachers, Ms. Blevins who embraced and directed me with the most incredible way. A way that I would never forget. She believed in me every step and every line of the way. And when I performed on that stage, I felt an overwhelming feeling of pride, and I stepped into the character I was always meant to be. And as an actress, that's what you are supposed to feel. But that time it was something that would live on with me.

I was 20 when I took a theater class in high school. I got to perform two scenes and a monologue again. And with every time, I would embrace the theater nerdy girl I was. During scene night I felt at home for the third time in my life. But I also felt that it was time to leave it behind.

Theater to me will always have a huge part in my life. And I'm glad it did, and I am so happy I didn't do sports, but I did theater and I had theater to fall back on. It gave me confidence, and dreams. Theater helped me break out of my shell when I needed it most.

So thank you Ms. Blevins and Prof. Russo for helping me love theater more. Thank you for taking your time to help me become not only the character but the girl behind the character.