How I began my journey in theatre!

I was inspired to join my middle school's theatre program in the 7th grade after obsessing over Hamiliton that previous summer. I began participating on stage and acting as an ensemble, and during my 8th grade year I had lead roles. Once high school had started, I knew that I still wanted to continue partaking in theatre but I couldn’t sing or dance, and my friends really wanted me to audition for the fall musical. I didn’t get in but I was 10 times less disappointed than they were. Despite the fact that I was relieved I wouldn’t be able to embarrass myself on stage, I still wanted to be involved. Luckily, the tech-crew program was right there! It was much larger than the one in middle school and provided a space where I could hang with my friends and indulge in my artistic liberties.

Art has always been an outlet that allowed me to express myself. Whether it be drawing, painting, sewing, collaging, sculpting; it changed its form in one way or another, but has stuck with me throughout my life.

I began constructing and painting for my high-schools tech program, and soon leveled up to be awarded the title of Paint Lead my sophomore year. But, I’ve always wanted to do things regarding costumes, hair, and makeup. Whenever I would watch a show, I mainly focused on how such simple changes to a character's shirt, hair, and coat-jacket could communicate wildly different things. And finally, when spring rolled around my sophomore year, I was given the opportunity to assist our lead make-up artist with the show!

It was the most fun I’d had in a show and I knew that it was something that I wanted to continue being a part of. After that experience, I went home that summer and dedicated myself to learning all different types of stage make-up, from furry to scary, and practiced my sewing skills. As well, I drove into research and read books (talk about scary first-times…) about costume and fashion design. I prepared for the next year, because I wanted to apply to be the next costume lead.

Well the work paid off, because that following fall I was titled as the musical's Costume Lead.