Art has so fundamentally been a part of who I am that I cannot be separated from it. I can still remember feeling the warmth of the lights on my face during my first time on stage as a nine-year-old in a small production of The Secret Garden. Since then, many teachers and coaches have come and gone, but one has stayed the same. Amanda Warren. Amanda Warren has been the most inspirational woman to me. She runs her own photography business with grace, teaches with understanding, and has shaped me into who I am today. I met Amanda when I was a freshman in high school attending a drama camp. During that week, Amanda worked tirelessly to give this random group of teens the best experience on stage that she could. She taught us stage directions, presence, and other useful tips that I still use today. When I went to that drama camp, I thought theatre would forever just stay as my extracurricular activity but never be able to be my real focus. Because someone told me I should start looking for “a real job” and that shaped my formative years. I grew up thinking the only talent I knew I had, I couldn’t pursue. But Amanda came and showed me that not only could theatre be part of my life, but I could excel in it too. Her hard work and determination in her craft as an artist pushed me to pursue theatre in college. At college, Amanda shifted to wearing the hat of my professor. No matter the day she had, Amanda put her students first. And this caused me day after day to be thankful for her as a teacher. At this time, she showed me what it means to be passionate about teaching the next generation of artists. I want to be a teacher and show my students that the arts are a beautiful gift that we have to share. Amanda has now shifted to being one of my best friends. There has never been a time that Amanda hasn’t helped me. What started as a camp counselor has grown into a friendship that I can trace in all parts of my life, shaping who I am today. She encourages me to not give up in my pursuit of theatre, even when it is hard. This allowed me to experience one of my favorite moments on stage. This was during The Studio's production of Grimm. At that time I was facing life struggles beyond what I thought I could handle. But during a song called “Home,” I was masked by an emotional scene and I couldn’t help but cry. Theatre has been a constant part of my life as other things and people leave. It always provides an escape for me and a way for me to share my passion. There, on the Grimm set, surrounded by the most beautiful voices of people I love the most, the only thought in my head was “I am home, this is all I need”. The lyrics say “the brothers Grimm found refuge there” and those lyrics perfectly explain theatre in my life. The most meaningful part of the arts is that they are meant to provide a way to connect to those around us and bring together, and that is what I wish to give back with my work. Things may come and go, but the connection of art cannot be replaced or forgotten in my life and I am thankful for all those who have helped me come to this moment in my life.