What I love most about performing is the escape it offers. Initially, this escape was experienced as an audience member—a way to leave behind my own life as a closeted gay kid growing up in a Mormon household. Watching productions transported me to new worlds where I not only found refuge but also glimpsed places where I could truly belong. Once I began performing myself, that escape transformed into something even more joyful and vital. Theatre became a safe haven, a space where I could let my true self and creativity run wild without fear. Over time and as I found more mature shows, what I loved most about performing grew much deeper than personal escape. The core of my work as a performer shifted to be about creating and experiencing art that reflects both individual and shared human experiences. I believe theatre holds a unique power to build empathy and forge connections across local, national, and global communities. My goal is to use my art to bring people together through stories that resonate deeply with our shared humanity. Completing my training at school is not only about achieving dreams like performing on Broadway but also about staying true to this core purpose—using theatre to connect, inspire, and make a difference in the world. I’m sure of making a career after I graduate because I am a multi-hyphenate artist; I am a strong actor, singer and dancer with directorial and writing experience who is always learning. These will all be assets in this industry as I am a curious and “yes, and” artist. No job is too big or small. I am eager to contribute to theatrical work in all capacities. Additionally, my passion for inspiring and teaching young artists is unwavering. I adore kids and have been teaching them since I was 16 years old. The biggest inspiration for pursuing this path came from my mom, who was a professional modern dancer throughout my childhood and early teenage years. I was always a mama’s boy, and one story she shared has stuck with me. When she was about to enter her senior year of high school, her longest dance mentor told her she should quit. Though she was a great dancer, her mentor said she didn’t have the right body type and would never make it in the industry. Naturally, my mom was shattered, but instead of giving up, she dedicated the next few years to proving that wrong. She went on to perform in numerous regional productions and joined a dance company where she stayed for twenty-five years. Her story of perseverance has been a guiding light for me, especially when pursuing a career in the arts feels daunting or even impossible. Some of my favorite performances over the last few years include playing Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, Bert in Mary Poppins, and Will Parker in Oklahoma!. Out of these, Miss Trunchbull stands out as my favorite role so far. I know what you’re thinking here, and I see it too. How can you go on about the deep emotional meaning of your work and list off your favorite roles as caricatures or surface level Disney characters? But something I’ve learned is that in even the most commercial work, our job as actors is to find the humanity in characters like Belle or Miss Trunchbull, because that experience is what draws audiences in. Looking ahead, a dream role I hope to audition for in the future would be Riff in West Side Story or, likely when I’m older, Marvin in Falsettos. They’re very different characters but both come from some of my all-time favorite shows, and I’d love the opportunity to dive into those worlds one day.