The journey was most certainly, blessed.

When I was sixteen, I was handed a flyer for the spring auditions at Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit. This theater company was comprised of Detroit youth (ranging in age, from second grade to the end of their high school career). The program included a singing and an acting company. I didn't have any strong feelings about joining the organization but I did always love the comradery of singing in my church choir. As fate would have it, a close friend was auditioning for the acting company and urged me to do the same, concerned that if we weren't in the same company, we'd never see each other. I did not have the same fears but I was already in the building, what could it hurt? When I auditioned I had very little confidence in my ability to read aloud in front of people (I still do when I’m off the clock). So, being the quick thinker that I am, I asked if I could make something up. I was inspired by a popular TV show that was riddled with powered individuals. I improved a monologue, a girl with two identities living in one body. It was the most frightening thing I had ever done. To my surprise, after auditioning for both, I was accepted into the Acting Company.

I spent the next two years of my life as a member of Mosaic. We performed Shakespeare in our black box and original works in the Detroit Film Theatre. Mosaic even had a partnership with The Public Theatre in New York. Through that partnership, I was able to perform in Joe’s Pub and had an internship in The Public’s Literary Department right after I graduated from high school. 

When I got to Central Michigan University, I had planned on being practical, double majoring in Journalism and Phycology. I auditioned for the fall musical, Spring Awakening, and by the grace of God, I received the part of Thea. I remember walking back to the dorms, with my best friend. Despite both of us choosing a major that had nothing to do with the arts, we had both gotten into the first shows of the season. We spent the entire walk home talking about how much fun we were having in our respective rehearsals, and that night when we got to our beds, we looked at each other and knew that we would never find fulfillment doing anything else.

 2020 shattered any confidence I had in entering the workforce successfully. I immediately turned to the comfort of a familiar friend, education. The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training accepted me, and twelve other students in the year 2021. While looking for stability and safety in the unlikeliest of places, an institution, I found me: a tenacious and compassionate individual, with a radical moral compass and a need to be in communion with others. Before I was sure that my art should have a hand in teaching compassion. I was convinced that to do the job correctly, there needed to be some separation between myself and work. In seeking separation, I bumped against fear and skepticism. I found the importance of the perception of others, and how it furthers my self-discovery. I know that the kind of art I want to cultivate requires all of my strengths and all of my shame. I am resigned to being selfish because I recognize it is necessary for selflessness. Grad school gave me so many answers, but thousands of questions that I can’t wait to ask.