Collaboration in theatre is the heartbeat of everything I do. To me, it is more than working alongside others it is building trust, storytelling, and shared purpose with artists who each bring unique strengths to create something larger than ourselves. Every performance is shaped by relationships: how actors listen and respond, how directors guide without overshadowing, and how designers and performers unite a shared vision. I have learned that collaboration is not one voice standing out, but many voices coming together to create something honest, powerful, and alive. My collaborative experiences in theatre, dance, and children’s theatre have deeply shaped my understanding of this process. From ensemble based performances to choreographing and rehearsing group numbers, I have learned how important communication, patience, and adaptability are when working with others. Children’s theatre especially taught me how collaboration extends beyond the stage it includes creating a safe, supportive environment where every performer, regardless of age or experience, feels valued and confident enough to contribute. These early experiences helped me understand that theatre is built through shared responsibility, and every role, no matter how small, contributes to the final story being told. As a young Black woman adopted into a white family, collaboration has also carried a deeper meaning in my life. Growing up often feeling different and learning how to navigate spaces where I was one of the only Black performers taught me how important it is to advocate for my voice while also honoring the voices of others. I have had to learn how to collaborate in environments where I sometimes felt unseen or misunderstood, and in doing so, I discovered that true collaboration requires both confidence and compassion. It means knowing who you are while still being open to growth through others. These experiences have strengthened my ability to work in diverse creative spaces and helped me understand how storytelling becomes richer when different perspectives are welcomed. In addition to my training, I have always sought out collaborative learning experiences beyond the classroom. I traveled to New York City a few times the past year where I experienced professional theatre firsthand and engaged with artists and performers from Broadway. These experiences allowed me to observe collaboration at the highest level seeing how actors, directors, choreographers, and crews work together with precision and respect to bring productions to life. I have also taken the initiative to speak with performers, ask questions, and maintain connections with theatre professionals online, learning from their experiences about teamwork, discipline, and creative communication in the industry. At my university, I continue to collaborate daily through rigorous rehearsals, 18-credit academic schedules, leadership responsibilities as a PR cabinet member in BSU, and participation in campus performances and auditions. These environments constantly require teamwork, flexibility, and mutual support, especially when balancing heavy workloads and emotional exhaustion. Even in moments of stress, I have learned that collaboration means showing up for others as much as you show up for yourself lifting your castmates, staying present in rehearsal, and committing fully to the shared vision despite personal challenges. Ultimately, collaboration in my field means creating art that no one person could achieve alone. It is about trust, shared storytelling, and the willingness to grow through others while contributing your own unique voice. My experiences both personal and professional have taught me that the strongest performances are not created in isolation, but in community. I bring resilience, empathy, and a deep respect for the collaborative process into every space I enter, and I strive to continue growing as an artist who uplifts others while helping bring meaningful stories to life on stage.

I deserve this scholarship because despite challenges, I stay committed to my dreams with resilience, hard work, and passion. As a young Black woman who was adopted into a white family, I have often grown up feeling different and trying to understand where I fit in. There have been moments in my life where people have tried to define who I am, what I should sound like, what roles I should fit into, or what I am capable of achieving. Over time, I have learned that true perseverance comes from refusing to let other people determine your worth, your identity, or your future. I want others to see that growth comes from learning who you are for yourself, not from accepting the limits others place on you. My experiences have taught me strength, resilience, and confidence in my own voice. I have learned not to let fear of judgment control me or silence me. While people’s opinions can affect how someone sees themselves, I have worked hard to make sure those opinions push me to become stronger rather than weaker. My journey is my own, and although my actions may inspire others, I have learned that I cannot live based on how others perceive me. I know the growth I have experienced, the work I have put in, and the determination I carry within myself every day. I have also struggled with a speech impediment, which has made performing even more challenging. There have been times when I mix up words, struggle to find the right thing to say, or feel frustrated trying to deliver lines clearly and confidently. Alongside ADHD and difficulties with memorization, learning scripts and choreography has often required extra time, patience, and discipline from me. However, these struggles have taught me the importance of preparation, repetition, and confidence in performance. I have spent years teaching myself how to better memorize lines and choreography, not only by remembering the material itself, but by understanding the emotion, intention, and meaning behind it. Through theatre, I have learned that words and movement carry power. The way you deliver a line, hold yourself on stage, or move through choreography can completely change how a story impacts others. Because of my struggles, I have become deeply aware of how communication and expression work, and I continue striving to speak, perform, and move with more confidence, clarity, and purpose each day. My journey has also required physical endurance and sacrifice. I have broken my toe multiple times and continued dancing on it for months before finally getting an X-ray because I did not want to fall behind or give up opportunities to grow. Even through pain, exhaustion, and setbacks, I kept showing up to rehearsals, classes, and performances because I knew my dream was bigger than the temporary struggles I was facing. Every summer, I work exhausting schedules, often balancing two jobs and working nearly nonstop, sometimes close to 40 hours a week between day and night shifts. One of those jobs has been working concessions at The Muny, the very place where I dream of performing one day. It is difficult at times to stand behind the counter and watch performers, including people I know, live out the dream I have worked toward for so long. Still, instead of letting that discourage me, it motivates me even more. I continue training in college, attending auditions, improving my craft, and finding myself as both an artist and a person. I have also taken every opportunity possible to learn and grow beyond the classroom. I have traveled to New York City three times, using scholarships and opportunities through my college to experience professional theatre firsthand, network, and deepen my understanding of the industry I hope to be a part of one day. Those trips were not vacations to me — they were opportunities to study, observe, and learn. Every Broadway show I attended became a lesson in storytelling, movement, professionalism, stage presence, and artistry. I paid attention not only to the performances themselves, but also to the work ethic, discipline, and dedication behind them. I make it a priority to ask questions, introduce myself to performers and creatives, and learn from every person willing to share their experiences with me. Through networking and persistence, I have been fortunate enough to meet big Broadway professionals, go backstage at productions, and continue conversations with artists online through social media and messaging. Those conversations have taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, rejection, discipline, and what it truly takes to build a career in theatre. I actively seek out opportunities to grow because I never want to stop learning. Even with limited money, I use what I earn from my jobs to continue investing in my education and passion for theatre. I attend performances whenever I can because live theatre inspires me and reminds me why I continue working so hard. While many people only see the final performance on stage, I understand the years of sacrifice, training, and resilience it takes to get there, and I am willing to put in that work. At the same time, I balance an intense college schedule with 18 credit hours, rehearsals, auditions, campus events, and leadership responsibilities as a PR cabinet member in my university’s BSU. Alongside all of this, I continue working jobs to support myself financially while trying to grow artistically and professionally. There are many days when I feel physically and emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin, but I continue pushing forward because this dream means everything to me. What makes me different is my resilience. Even when opportunities feel far away, I continue pursuing them with passion, discipline, and hope. I am willing to work hard for years if that is what it takes to reach my goals, and I believe that determination, perseverance, and growth will eventually allow all of that hard work to pay off. Many people have told me that I am not at the right level or that I may never reach the goals I am working toward, but those words only motivate me to work harder. There are days when I feel exhausted, burned out, or physically worn down from rehearsals, dancing, and vocal strain, yet I still love what I do. Performing is not just a passion for me it is a part of who I am. What gives me an advantage is my mindset and perseverance. I see possibilities where others may see limitations. I continue moving forward even when the path is difficult, and I always find my way back to my goals no matter how long it takes. I am not afraid of hard work, failure, or growth. I want to use my experiences to inspire others, especially younger students, to believe in themselves and understand that success comes from resilience, self-awareness, and dedication. This scholarship would not only support my education and artistic growth, but it would also invest in someone who is committed to overcoming challenges, uplifting others, and pursuing excellence in everything they do. I deserve this scholarship because I see possibilities where others may see limitations. I achieve goals that many people would give up on because I refuse to stop pushing forward. No matter how difficult the journey becomes or how long it takes, my determination always leads me back to the path toward my dreams!

One major “issue” or honestly, blessing in my life that I have never fully been able to control or completely understand is my ADHD. As I’ve grown older, I’ve started realizing how much it affects the way I think, feel, create, and experience the world around me. It can make it difficult to slow my thoughts down, rest without guilt, organize tasks, manage time, or keep up with expectations. I often feel mentally overstimulated or emotionally overwhelmed, and I sometimes struggle with anxiety from feeling “behind” compared to others. My brain works differently from traditional systems, and that can be exhausting. As a musical theatre student and performer, ADHD can make things even more challenging because theatre requires memorization, consistency, focus, scheduling, and emotional regulation all things that can become draining when your mind is constantly moving. I overthink social situations and relationships, become anxious easily, and can feel frustrated when I cannot function the way others seem to naturally. At the same time, though, my ADHD has deeply shaped the way I experience creativity and art. Growing up, people often saw me as simply “high energy,” bubbly, or overly expressive. While I am joyful and outgoing at times, a lot of that energy comes from my ADHD especially when I am anxious, exhausted, overstimulated, or trying to keep myself mentally engaged. Yet even through that, I have always wanted to be a light for others, to make people laugh, support them, and brighten difficult days. What once felt like a flaw has also become one of my greatest strengths as a performer. My energy translates into stage presence, charisma, emotional expressiveness, and comedic timing. My racing thoughts help me think creatively, improvise quickly, and emotionally connect ideas in unique ways. Because I feel emotions so deeply, acting and performing allow me to channel those emotions into something meaningful. My imagination helps me bring characters to life more realistically and passionately for audiences. Sometimes my friends laugh, get confused, or even feel annoyed when they see me randomly singing songs, jumping around to regain energy after a long rehearsal day, or becoming overly excited about creative ideas. I can still be awkward, shy, messy, overly emotional, or anxious. I have moments where I stay quiet and hold everything in, only to suddenly overshare because I am trying so hard to connect my experiences to someone else’s. I can be both overly organized and completely unprepared at the same time. I still experience mini panic attacks, exhaustion, and self-doubt. But through all of that, I am learning that the way my brain functions is not something I need to be ashamed of. My emotional sensitivity allows me to portray characters authentically and empathize deeply with audiences and the people around me. My hyperfocus and overthinking allow me to become fully immersed in music, storytelling, rehearsal, and other artistic passions. My anxiety and awareness also make me observant of people’s emotions, body language, and social dynamics, helping me become not only a stronger performer, but also a better friend and communicator. Even if people do not always fully understand me, I am learning that they do not have to. My mind works differently, and because of that, I can approach art outside of rigid boxes and create in ways that are imaginative, emotional, honest, and impactful. What once felt like weakness is becoming something beautiful a gift I can use to connect with others and bring light into the world around me!

As a musical theatre major, I hope to change the world by using storytelling, music, and performance to bring light, hope, and understanding to others. Theatre has the power to help people feel seen and connected, and I want to create art that reminds people they are not alone in their struggles, dreams, or emotions. My own experiences with stress, self-doubt, ADHD, and feeling misunderstood have taught me how deeply people need encouragement and safe spaces to express themselves. Because of this, I want to use my performances to tell honest stories that inspire empathy, healing, laughter, and perseverance. I believe even one performance can impact someone’s life by helping them feel understood or giving them hope to keep going. I also hope to use theatre to teach and uplift younger generations. I want to encourage young artists—especially those who feel different, overlooked, or uncertain about their future—to embrace their creativity and trust that their voice matters. Through mentorship, performance, and storytelling, I hope to create spaces where people can grow in confidence, compassion, and self-expression. My faith also plays a large role in my goals as an artist. I believe art can be a way to bring light into difficult situations and help people experience joy, comfort, and connection. Whether I am performing on stage, creating original work, or working with communities, I want my career in musical theatre to leave people feeling inspired, valued, and hopeful. I am also currently working on creating a full-length musical with a friend from college. I’ll be writing the music and lyrics, while he will focus on developing the storyline and writing the script. I truly hope to produce our creation on Broadway one day. We are brainstorming ideas for scenes, connect different elements, and inspire our creative process! I also choreograph dances and do some music engineering writing my own music on different softwares and I am hoping to expand on my love for music and all other forms of art whether that's with my body, mind, voice or spirit! (The video I am sending you was from a scholarship opportunity in 2024 where now I have already completed 2 years of collage with my VBFA in Musical Theatre!)

What I have seen and experienced over the past few years as a black woman has been a little different from how I grew up as a black girl adopted into a white family. I was adopted as a baby and always felt different, though I did not fully understand it until I got older. Growing up, I was homeschooled and involved in musical theater through youth companies, including a year in a professional theater company. Although labeled “professional,” I often felt overlooked and unsupported. I noticed I was not given the same attention as other children—especially those already known in the company. As one of very few black children in that Texas-based company, I first became aware of how race and access shape opportunities in the arts. As I got older, especially in high school and college, these differences became impossible to ignore. At Messiah University, I am one of only four black students in the Theater and Performing Arts Department. Despite being a junior who consistently invests time and effort into classes and auditions, I have often felt pushed aside, particularly in casting decisions. Roles frequently went to underclassmen, while I was left out. While I try to believe decisions are skill-based, it is difficult when nearly everyone else has been cast. This past semester was especially emotionally exhausting. At the same time, I became a PR for our campus’s Black Student Union, which allowed me to share cultures and make an important impact on campus. Being a black woman in the arts has meant navigating spaces where my voice often feels silenced. History shows how women and people of color have repeatedly been dismissed in artistic spaces, and I have seen those patterns reflected in my education. Many cultural styles of music, movement, and storytelling are quietly excluded because they do not fit the dominant culture. My perspective is shaped by growing up surrounded by white culture while learning to connect with my black identity, as well as moving frequently during childhood. I have witnessed systemic barriers firsthand, particularly in auditions and the limited roles available. These experiences have strengthened my resolve to use my education to give back. Theater is an art form that should be accessible to everyone. Being a resident of St. Louis, I am fortunate to have ample opportunities to experience theater, but many children, especially from minority communities, have not had that privilege. Theater can break stereotypes, tell unique stories, and connect people across cultures. My goal is to perform professionally and eventually become a teacher so I can inspire children and show them how essential live theater can be. I want to help students learn about history and culture while using creativity to express themselves and connect with the world. By making theater accessible to all, I hope to create spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered.