Music has been a constant in my life since I was a kid. If music wasn’t playing, my dad would be singing, and I’d always try to guess which musical he was performing. He seemed to have a show for every occasion! My parents ran the school musical at my Catholic school where I was from Kindergarten through Grade 8, so I was involved even before I could go to school. I even have pictures of me in my playpen in the church hall while my parents were building sets. So, it’s probably no surprise that I wanted to pursue musical theater when I grew up. Except, it wasn’t for me. COVID shut everything down, and suddenly, the theater didn’t seem like the place I wanted to be anymore. I would have been happy to never do a show again. But music was still in my blood, and we were all stuck at home. That’s when I started to discover my own music. Dylan. Bowie. The Beatles. I had a guitar I hadn’t really touched before, but now I had nothing but time and access to the internet. So, I taught myself guitar. The piano. Drums. But the guitar was my favorite. It was what I excelled at. And my dreams started changing, looking to school for music. COVID took so much from so many, but for me, it revealed a whole new side of myself. Theater wasn’t done with me yet! Our local community theater was putting on Newsies, and even though I thought I was done with theater, it was one of my absolute favorites when I was younger. So, I figured I’d give it another shot, expecting to be done with theater again after that. But it was just the spark I needed. It unlocked everything inside me that had been there since I was a baby. And then my high school brought in a new drama teacher who took it to a level it had never seen before; there was no turning back. Urinetown. Hadestown. And my guitar found its way onto the stage, bringing worlds together. I learned to tap, to act, to sing better than I ever thought I could. And I knew this was what my life was meant for. So, I started researching schools. I auditioned for 10 musical theater schools and got into 8 of them. My path was clearer every day. So, I’m now heading down that path to the Hartt School of Music to study Musical Theater. I want to share my music, my love, my passion with others. I want to make people tap their toes, walk away humming, make them laugh, make them cry, make them feel. To reach Broadway would be the ultimate achievement, but I just want to spend my life on the musical theater stage, whatever form it takes. And I try to give back to those who are younger than me. I help coach younger actors, and I volunteer my time back at my parochial school to help with their shows. I’m a counselor at the drama camps at my community theater and my high school. I know that while I spend my life pursuing my own career performing musical theater, I will always strive to give back to those kids younger than me, remembering how I always looked up to the older actors when I was their age. And for all those who supported me and mentored me, I will work to pay it forward to the next generation. Thank you for your time and consideration, and for allowing me to share my life and love in music with you.

Music has been a constant in my life since I was a kid. If music wasn’t playing, my dad would be singing, and I’d always try to guess which musical he was performing. He seemed to have a show for every occasion! My parents ran the school musical at my parochial school, so I was involved even before I could go to school. I even have pictures of me in my playpen in the hall while my parents were building sets. So, it’s probably no surprise that I wanted to pursue musical theater when I grew up. Except, it wasn’t for me. COVID shut everything down, and suddenly, the theater didn’t seem like the place I wanted to be anymore. I would have been happy to never do a show again. But music was still in my blood, and we were all stuck at home. That’s when I started to discover my own music. Dylan. Bowie. The Beatles. I had a guitar I hadn’t really touched before, but now I had nothing but time and access to the internet. So, I taught myself guitar. The piano. Drums. But the guitar was my favorite. It was what I excelled at. And my dreams started changing, looking to school for music. COVID took so much from so many, but for me, it revealed a whole new side of myself. Theater wasn’t done with me yet! Our local community theater was putting on Newsies, and even though I thought I was done with theater, it was one of my absolute favorites when I was younger. So, I figured I’d give it another shot, expecting to be done with theater again after that. But it was just the spark I needed. It unlocked everything inside me that had been there since I was a baby. And then my high school brought in a new drama teacher who took it to a level it had never seen before; there was no turning back. Urinetown. Hadestown. And my guitar found its way onto the stage, bringing worlds together. I learned to tap, to act, to sing better than I ever thought I could. And I knew this was what my life was meant for. So, I started researching schools. I auditioned for 10 musical theater schools and got into 8 of them. My path was clearer every day. So, I’m now heading down that path to the Hartt School of Music to study Musical Theater. I want to share my music, my love, my passion with others. I want to make people tap their toes, walk away humming, make them laugh, make them cry, make them feel. To reach Broadway would be the ultimate achievement, but I just want to spend my life on the musical theater stage, whatever form it takes. And I try to give back to those who are younger than me. I help coach younger actors, and I volunteer my time back at my parochial school to help with their shows. I’m a counselor at the drama camps at my community theater and my high school. I know that while I spend my life pursuing my own career performing musical theater, I will always strive to give back to those kids younger than me, remembering how I always looked up to the older actors when I was their age. And for all those who supported me and mentored me, I will work to pay it forward to the next generation. Thank you for your time and consideration, and for allowing me to share my life and love in music with you.

I can’t even remember the first time I saw my father onstage in a musical. Hearing him sing around the house was always something that would fill me with joy each day, as I would always play a guessing game with myself and see if I knew the songs he was singing. It’s safe to say that the arts have been a big part of my life since before I could walk. Whether it be going down to Providence to see the touring cast of The Lion King when I was 8 or being in my school’s production of Peter Pan when I was 6, I have been fortunate enough to have taken an active role in theatre from a very young age. This is why I am so grateful to have been lucky enough to have the drive and enough talent to audition for and get into multiple BFA Musical Theatre programs for my college career. I completely intend on pursuing a life in the theatre arts and am so grateful because all of the songs and dances and shows I watched and participated in growing up only developed more and more of a passion for the arts, and a flame within me to use my medium to do something greater for my community and the world. Everything I love in life I owe to the arts. Almost all my friends are those whom I met while doing productions throughout my childhood, and I am so grateful to have such strong collaborators that I can call my best friends. If I could start my own charity, my mission would be to bring arts to younger students who wouldn't have access otherwise. I was lucky enough as a child to have both my parents volunteer to provide a drama program at our little Catholic school that would not have existed otherwise. This meant that from the time I was born having to spend rehearsals for my older brother's shows in a playpen until I reached 8th grade I got to be immersed in each year's production at school and at home. We also have an active community theater with a strong summer camp that introduced me to some of my best friends to this day. That base of my childhood is what has given me my lifelong love of theater and taught me how it can teach, reach, unite, and heal. And because of this, I hope that I can have success as a performer that allows me to give back to future children that spark of theater and the joy of not only reaching an audience, but finding the confidence in yourself and the imagination to grow as a performer, and as an empathetic person. I'd love to be able to provide my own camp to students with other theater-loving volunteers so that underprivileged kids can have that outlet. In the meantime, while I make my college journey, I will continue to return to that school every year to help my parents teach new kids and to spend summer weeks with my peers teaching kids the joy of theater that I was blessed to receive.

I can’t even remember the first time I saw my father onstage in a musical. Hearing him sing around the house was always something that would fill me with joy each day, as I would always play a guessing game with myself and see if I knew the songs he was singing. It’s safe to say that the arts have been a big part of my life since before I could walk. Whether it be going down to Providence to see the touring cast of The Lion King when I was 8 or being in my school’s production of Peter Pan when I was 6, I have been fortunate enough to have taken an active role in theatre from a very young age. This is why I am so grateful to have been lucky enough to have the drive and enough talent to audition for and get into multiple BFA Musical Theatre programs for my college career. I completely intend on pursuing a life in the theatre arts and am so grateful because all of the songs and dances and shows I watched and participated in growing up only developed more and more of a passion for the arts, and a flame within me to use my medium to do something greater for my community and the world. Everything I love in life I owe to the arts. Almost all my friends are those whom I met while doing productions throughout my childhood, and I am so grateful to have such strong collaborators that I can call my best friends. Of course, all of the great things that theatre has given me have also been met with challenges. For example, I have lived in a tiny city my whole life and have often been the most passionate person in the room when it came to theatre. In my college audition process, however, I have been thrown into rooms with people who not only have as much passion as me about theatre, but also extreme talent to back it up. I am honestly grateful for this challenge, though, as despite stressing me out at first, it taught me that in all professional and artistic settings, the most that one can do is bring their best self into a room and if it clicks, it clicks, but if not, it’s time to get up and keep trying. The theatre isn’t the only place in which my heart has been impacted by art. Growing up and to this day, my mother will ask to watch a movie with me at least once a week. Some of the films that my parents have shown me are films that have truly given me a new lease on life, and I have always reflected on myself and I think that growing up in a family who has appreciated film and media so much has truly sculpted me to allow art to act not only as entertainment, but also as an education on my own emotions and thoughts. On top of visual entertainment such as film, television, and theatre, music has also played an enormous role in my life and development. In 7th grade, I picked up guitar… and drums, and piano, and bass. Knowing how to play these instruments in a small town has allowed me to connect with those with similar interests, as well as being an extreme outlet for my emotions in difficult times. For the constant gifts and blessings that they have given me, I will always be grateful for the arts, and I am beyond grateful to pursue it in college.

I can’t even remember the first time I saw my father onstage in a musical. Hearing him sing around the house was always something that would fill me with joy each day, as I would always play a guessing game with myself and see if I knew the songs he was singing. It’s safe to say that the arts have been a big part of my life since before I could walk. Whether it be going down to Providence to see the touring cast of The Lion King when I was 8 or being in my school’s production of Peter Pan when I was 6, I have been fortunate enough to have taken an active role in theatre from a very young age. This is why I am so grateful to have been lucky enough to have the drive and enough talent to audition for and get into multiple BFA Musical Theatre programs for my college career. I completely intend on pursuing a life in the theatre arts and am so grateful because all of the songs and dances and shows I watched and participated in growing up only developed more and more of a passion for the arts, and a flame within me to use my medium to do something greater for my community and the world. Everything I love in life I owe to the arts. Almost all my friends are those whom I met while doing productions throughout my childhood, and I am so grateful to have such strong collaborators that I can call my best friends. Of course, all of the great things that theatre has given me have also been met with challenges. For example, I have lived in a tiny city my whole life and have often been the most passionate person in the room when it came to theatre. In my college audition process, however, I have been thrown into rooms with people who not only have as much passion as me about theatre, but also extreme talent to back it up. I am honestly grateful for this challenge, though, as despite stressing me out at first, it taught me that in all professional and artistic settings, the most that one can do is bring their best self into a room and if it clicks, it clicks, but if not, it’s time to get up and keep trying. The theatre isn’t the only place in which my heart has been impacted by art. Growing up and to this day, my mother will ask to watch a movie with me at least once a week. Some of the films that my parents have shown me are films that have truly given me a new lease on life, and I have always reflected on myself and I think that growing up in a family who has appreciated film and media so much has truly sculpted me to allow art to act not only as entertainment, but also as an education on my own emotions and thoughts. On top of visual entertainment such as film, television, and theatre, music has also played an enormous role in my life and development. In 7th grade, I picked up guitar… and drums, and piano, and bass. Knowing how to play these instruments in a small town has allowed me to connect with those with similar interests, as well as being an extreme outlet for my emotions in difficult times. For the constant gifts and blessings that they have given me, I will always be grateful for the arts, and I am beyond grateful to pursue it in college.

I can’t even remember the first time I saw my father onstage in a musical. Hearing him sing around the house was always something that would fill me with joy each day, as I would always play a guessing game with myself and see if I knew the songs he was singing. It’s safe to say that the arts have been a big part of my life since before I could walk. Whether it be going down to Providence to see the touring cast of The Lion King when I was 8 or being in my school’s production of Peter Pan when I was 6, I have been fortunate enough to have taken an active role in theatre from a very young age. This is why I am so grateful to have been lucky enough to have the drive and enough talent to audition for and get into multiple BFA Musical Theatre programs for my college career. I completely intend on pursuing a life in the theatre arts and am so grateful because all of the songs and dances and shows I watched and participated in growing up only developed more and more of a passion for the arts, and a flame within me to use my medium to do something greater for my community and the world. Everything I love in life I owe to the arts. Almost all my friends are those whom I met while doing productions throughout my childhood, and I am so grateful to have such strong collaborators that I can call my best friends. Of course, all of the great things that theatre has given me have also been met with challenges. For example, I have lived in a tiny city my whole life and have often been the most passionate person in the room when it came to theatre. In my college audition process, however, I have been thrown into rooms with people who not only have as much passion as me about theatre, but also extreme talent to back it up. I am honestly grateful for this challenge, though, as despite stressing me out at first, it taught me that in all professional and artistic settings, the most that one can do is bring their best self into a room and if it clicks, it clicks, but if not, it’s time to get up and keep trying. The theatre isn’t the only place in which my heart has been impacted by art. Growing up and to this day, my mother will ask to watch a movie with me at least once a week. Some of the films that my parents have shown me are films that have truly given me a new lease on life, and I have always reflected on myself and I think that growing up in a family who has appreciated film and media so much has truly sculpted me to allow art to act not only as entertainment, but also as an education on my own emotions and thoughts. On top of visual entertainment such as film, television, and theatre, music has also played an enormous role in my life and development. In 7th grade, I picked up guitar… and drums, and piano, and bass. Knowing how to play these instruments in a small town has allowed me to connect with those with similar interests, as well as being an extreme outlet for my emotions in difficult times. For the constant gifts and blessings that they have given me, I will always be grateful for the arts, and I am beyond grateful to pursue it in college.

I am so grateful to have been lucky enough to have the drive and enough talent to audition for and get into multiple BFA Musical Theatre programs for my college career. I completely intend on pursuing a life in the theatre arts and am so grateful because all of the songs and dances and shows I watched and participated in growing up only developed more and more of a passion for the arts, and a flame within me to use my medium to do something greater for my community and the world. Everything I love in life I owe to the arts. Almost all my friends are those whom I met while doing community and school productions throughout my childhood, and I am so grateful to have such strong collaborators that I can call my best friends. I have been onstage, helped build sets, tutored younger actors, and assisted in running camps for drama students. Earth is an expensive place to exist. No matter what career someone pursues, no matter where someone feels a calling, there is going to be an investment of time and money in order to pursue it, and that will undoubtedly include risks and victories. For me, I have felt a calling to Musical Theatre my entire life. Musicals were played by my parents on the radio every car ride, and I’ve had the entirety of Newsies memorized longer than I can even remember. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that of all the callings I could have received, Musical Theatre is one of the most difficult ones to sustain economically. Positions are limited, and the casting process is selective. Through my college audition process, I saw how much I love the medium, and I am willing to jump any hurdles to make my way there. The point still stands, though, that sustaining a career in the theatre is difficult. This is why scholarships would play an extreme help on my path towards my passion. Moving to New York to begin auditioning for professional productions is already an incredible investment, but to add an insurmountable amount of debt in student loans into the mix only makes the journey more expensive. I believe that with scholarships, I could get a terrific kickstart on not only my education, but my career afterward as well. Scholarships would allow me to make my college decision far simpler, and allow me to enroll without anxiety about the future debt I will have to swim in while trying to go after my career. On top of this, it will also make my post-college plans immediately easier, allowing me to use the payments from my regular job to pay for housing and amenities and all other necessities while I focus on trying to book and schedule auditions, utilizing the skills that my major will grant me in the field of musical theatre. Overall, scholarships would play a massive role in the pursuit of my dreams and allow me to thrive in the environment of an aspiring performer in ways that might not be possible in other financial situations. Meanwhile, keeping children safe in our community relies not only on the involvement of parents but also on our community being involved. In my experience, theater is a wonderful way to help children learn empathy, how to support each other instead of putting each other down, and something to do besides stare at a screen. Increasing arts education is a key way to help spread kindness and understanding.

Theatre is an inherently collaborative art form, with there always being a direct relationship between the performers and the audience. Throughout my time in theatre, collaboration and relationships throughout the rehearsal and performance process has always played a major factor in my undying love for the craft. Whether it be the relationship between the sound of laughter in the audience at one of my jokes and the feeling of success I feel afterwards, or the way that during a rehearsal I do character work with another actor and both of our character decisions just click, the relationships are always incredibly rewarding. The relationships built in theatre are of course not limited to being onstage though. The countless friendships with both fellow actors, stage crew, and production staff that I have made throughout my theatre career have impacted my life forever. I have met people whom I know will continue to be a part of my life well into adulthood through theatre, and as someone who struggled to make friends growing up at school, it was incredible to find a threshold for people with the exact same passion as me to bond with for life. The great thing about the collaborative aspect of theatre as well, is that it can be found just about anywhere so long as there are passionate performers around each other. Due to performers’ regular need for interpersonal interaction with each other in order to learn more about how people act and in order to make friends with the people around them, since they will meet new people regularly, it is very easy for theatre people to start conversations immediately upon meeting them. A prime example of this is recently, when I was auditioning for Emerson College’s BFA program in Musical Theatre, 18 different auditioners, including myself, entered the college not knowing each other. Throughout the day every single one of us lifted each other up, and immediately built friendships as we all unpromptedly went into the rehearsal room and stated our names and favorite musicals while conversing about where we were from and what schools we had applied to. By the end of the 5-hour audition I had left with new friends, and found confidence in myself and my ability to make friends with people I had never met before that I had never felt before. Theatre’s ability to do things like that, turning even the most antisocial people into social butterflies due to their passion for the art, is truly the best part of relationships within the theatre.