photograph by Brandon Dahlquist
i sat on a stool in the back of the theatre.
My mom often dressed the shows at the only professional theatre in our hometown, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.
When I was eleven, she brought my brother and I to see one of the shows she was dressing.
We walked into the theatre before anyone had arrived. The seats we had were on these rickety stools in the back of the house. She told us that she’d come get us after the show.
When the overture started, my heart swelled. Although I had heard these songs before, as my mom would often play musical soundtracks in the car, the sensation being in the room and feeling the waves of sound from the orchestra pit were unparalleled.
From the minute the first actor walked onstage, my eyes were glued to the stage.
I soaked in every minute. And there was one thing I knew for sure. Every fiber of my being longed to be on that stage.
I had been bitten by the bug.
about me !
I grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Due to my mom’s involvement and love for theatre, I got involved in the community theatres in the Little Rock area.
After high school, I moved to Chicago to pursue my BFA in Musical Theatre at the Chicago College of Performing Arts.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, I successfully finished my degree online!
Post-grad life has included lots of writing and auditioning, as well as taking Accomplished on Camera’s Advanced Acting course.
Fun Facts
This was my first show, Annie! (I’m in the purple boa.)
PS. I know, everyone and their mother has been in Annie, but my mom actually WAS in this show with me!
I used to entertain at children’s events and parties through a Princess company back in Arkansas.
