Acting
I was in musicals throughout elementary and middle school at my small private school. I started acting in 3rd grade and continued through 7th grade. There was no play during my 8th-grade year because of COVID, and when I switched to public high school, it felt like being in theater made you “weird,” so I ended up quitting. I still regret that decision because I had so much fun doing musicals as a kid. Two of the plays not mentioned are my first show, Shrek the Musical, in 3rd grade, where I played Baby Bear. I had a few lines and even a small singing solo, and then in 5th grade, I was Young Nala in The Lion King, and I had several lines and singing parts, though I was only in the first half of the show before the character aged up.
Seussical The Musical
In 4th grade, I was part of Seussical the Musical. That year, I didn’t have a big speaking role, but I got to be a background dancer and join in all the large group numbers. Even though it felt like a step down from playing Baby Bear, it was still such a positive experience. The set of Seussical the Musical had so many handmade props and was so colorful and energetic. I loved being part of the big ensemble moments, even if my main job was to smile, dance, and keep up with the choreography. It taught me that even smaller roles can be just as fun and important as the big roles.
Charlie and Chocolate Factory
In 6th grade, our show was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and I played an Oompa Loompa, specifically Oompa Loompa #2. That meant I had a handful of lines and some singing parts in the iconic Oompa Loompa songs. I also got to use a bunch of fun props, like a bubble machine, which made rehearsals and performances even more fun. This show was one of the most entertaining ones to be part of because of all the bright colors, silly characters, and over-the-top scenes. It was the kind of musical where you couldn’t help but smile the whole time.
Aladin
Finally, in 7th grade, I got the best role of my entire childhood, Jasmine in Aladdin. I remember the day the cast list got emailed to my parents. I was at a basketball game, and I remember screaming. I was so excited. Getting cast as Jasmine was truly a dream come true. I didn't even audition for her role; I just really got lucky, well, trying out for the parrot. I had so many lines, solos, and dance numbers, and for the first time, I felt like a real leading performer. Wearing Jasmine’s costume, singing her songs, and getting to act out scenes that I had watched in the movie growing up made the whole experience unforgettable. It was the perfect last musical before I stopped performing, and it’s still one of the moments I look back on with so much joy. I also got to do this play with my little sister Courtney, which made the experience even better.
"Life's like a play: it's not length but the excellence of the acting that matters"
-Lucius Annaeus Seneca