Why Theatre?

        Theatre is something I developed a passion for over time. It began with singing and dancing as a child and then led to becoming involved with shows in middle and high school. When I was younger, performing was merely something I did for fun and used as an extracurricular activity and outlet; however, as I grew older it began to mean so much more. It not only grew my confidence but inspired me in so many ways. Eventually, I knew that this was what I wanted to pursue as a career. It had such a huge influence in my life, and I wanted to be able to use theatre to positively influence others as well.

       One of my favorite parts about theatre is the community it builds because no experience is the same. Every show brings together a new group of people and creates very specialized memories. Some of my closest friendships have formed because of theatre. As artists, we work hard with one mission in mind: to create a story. Then we get to invite the audience into that story! It’s the one community that always has open arms and will never turn anyone away.

       I also love watching the confidence boost theatre can give. I’ve had the privilege of working several theatre camps, and it’s amazing to watch how much children can blossom in only a week. I’ve seen children break down crying in their audition on a Monday and then take the stage and confidently own their solo the following Friday because of the confidence they built. Being able to encourage children to grow through theatre education has been one of my favorite jobs.

      Artists are constantly told that theatre is a difficult field to pursue, but no matter how discouraging it can be at times, there’s always some experience that brings us back and reminds us why we chose to pursue it. My recent performance as Ella in Ella Enchanted the Musical was that reminder for me. We had a wide variety of ages and backgrounds in our audiences; however, the majority were children. Each show I was tickled and astounded by how children reacted differently at the various elements and plot twists. After each show, we did a meet and greet, and the joy on the children’s faces was priceless. We even had the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind bring a group of hearing-impaired children. Hearing the reactions and meeting the audience members reminded me that theatre can cut across all boundaries and bring together a group of people who may not have ever met if not for that show. It can also bring joy to those facing dark situations. Being a performer, as well as an arts administrator, is more than about having your name in lights. It’s about having an impact and connecting with those around you by creating and sharing a story.