My first memory of theatre is the opening night of my first show. I popped my head up from a plank of wood and said my line “I’m here, I’m here” and the whole audience went “Aww” and I remember being amazed that I had made all those people feel something. Ever since then, I’ve been addicted to making people feel through art. In recent years, however, I’ve developed an even deeper appreciation for theatre as an art. I love the symbolism in sets and costumes, the subtext in scripts, the backstory an actor creates for their character, all the little things that an audience may never notice, but that breathe life into a show. Theatre has led me to everything I’m passionate about. My love for history began with learning about the historical context of the stories I portrayed. I first wanted to sew when I saw costume crews bringing characters to life with fabric. The first thing I truly enjoyed writing was a scene for a drama class. I learned to paint by painting sets. My closest, life-long friends, I have met through theatre. At school, I’m in the International Thespian Society. Last year, I received the award for best theatre student in my grade. I also a advocate for the arts on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, effecting my whole school district. I write for the school newspaper, mostly about arts in my community. Outside of school, I enjoy sewing, painting, learning about obscure history, and any forms of artistic expression that I can think of. I frequently perform at my local community theatre, Rome Little Theatre, and with my local Shakespeare Festival, Rome Shakespeare Festival. When I’m not acting in a show at RLT, I volunteer front of house, work backstage, operate a spotlight, or work on the costume crew for the show. I plan to continue my theatre education in college and beyond, with a double major in history and theatre. I feel that the events of my life have lead me to the natural career choice of costumer. I want to spend the rest of my life immersed in theatre and around the people who participate in it. I have always said that the theater is my home because of how much time I spend there, but as I get older I realize that theatre is my home and that the people involved in it are my family. Every fiber of my being is tied to theatre, and I hope it will never be unbound.