I saw my first ever Broadway show when I was seven. My parents took me to see "Beauty and the Beast" for my birthday. Taking a child to a Broadway production is risky. You never know if they’re going to behave, if they’re going to appreciate it, or even understand it. That’s probably why a Disney show was a good one to start with. It was familiar and appropriate.

My memory of the details of that show is obviously a bit fuzzy. But I remember how I felt. I remember being engrossed in the show. I remember being unable to figure out how the Beast magically transformed back into a human before my very eyes. It was the first time I felt the magic of theatre.

This was the beginning of my lifelong passion. Any time that I can, I go to see Broadway shows. "Les Miserables." "Dear Evan Hansen." "Rent." "Phantom of the Opera." "Kinky Boots." "Hamilton." These are the soundtracks of my life. My friends and I can sing shows from beginning to end, finding endless enjoyment in musical theatre.

I’ve done some crazy things to see a Broadway show. Obviously, they aren’t cheap, but they can be if you’re willing to go the extra mile. I’ve gotten online at the box office at 4 A.M. for a six-hour wait with the hope of only having to shell out $40 for a ticket. I have entered countless lotteries and competitions to win tickets and discounts. I’ve strived to make connections with “theatre people” who would sneak me into shows. The goal is to see as many productions as possible. Why? Because to me, nothing can replicate the magic of live theatre.

I’m lucky that, living on Long Island, I’ve always been in the shadow of New York City. If I managed to score tickets to a show, I could just hop on a train and be in Manhattan within the hour. I know others are not as lucky. Still, this enabled me to pursue my love for theatre. I try not to take it for granted, but it’s easy to.

Now, in college, I’m minoring in theatre. I hope to work in the industry one day. Not as an actor, but maybe as part of theatre administration, or writing, or marketing. It has become a dream of mine.

I cried my eyes out while watching Ben Platt in "Dear Evan Hansen." I jumped to my feet to applaud for Josh Groban in "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812." I felt pure fear during "1984." I sat in awe of "Les Miserables." These are experiences I will carry with me forever. So, thank you, theatre. This is more than entertainment. It is a reflection of life, it is my passion, and it is something worth dedicating my life to… all because my parents took me to see a show when I was seven. So really, I should thank my mom and dad. You opened my eyes to a whole new world.