Robert H. Wagner Jr. Memorial Music Scholarship

My interest in theatre, surprisingly, came from my rinky-dink school surrounded by endless beige cornfields and gas stations. I remember my first time on its stage, my third-grade self staring in awe at the high schoolers that I thought were the most talented people I’d ever seen. I immediately felt in place on that peeling black stage littered with spike tape from past years. The true reason I am pursuing Musical Theatre as a major now is because of that feeling I felt the first time the auditorium went black and those hot lights blared onto me. That feeling has lingered with me since. No matter what stage I’m on, no matter what role I’m playing, that instant breath of relief I take as those lights come up is worth every 8-hour long practice and fumbled word. The energy the audience gives off just by existing, powers every movement and artistic decision I make on that stage. I strive to give each person in those seats the same intrigue and wonder I felt as a kid watching a show for the first time. As an actor, I love to try different types of roles in all different types of spaces and I plan on continuing that state of mind into the future. Of course I have dreams of performing in a beautiful opera house or Broadway stage, but I also have dreams of the smaller stages, seeing the expressions on the faces in the front row. Entering college is not only a new stage of my life, but a new experience as well. Another performance space to explore and learn. My love for the arts, music in particular, started at a very young age. My father is a musician himself and I have very fond memories of when he would sit me down and play songs on his guitar for me. This inspired me to pick up music early, starting with piano (which I still am not great at, but I'm working on it!) and transitioning to guitar. Since then I have participated in small, youth singer songwriter events and become the resident "campfire guitarist", next to my dad of course.