Born and raised in Wisconsin, the youngest of 6, I knew from an early age what I wanted to do. I didn't know what it was called, but when I saw people onstage performing, the complex and deep emotions of my 2yr old self just cried out: WANT! Several years, and an infinite amount of new information later, I know what it is that I so desperately craved. I vaguely recall being in a church production of some sort where I was supposed to be a mouse, but I think I was actually too scared to go onstage with the other children. I just sat in the pew, glued to my mother's side, with my little grey mouse ears going quite to waste atop my head. But it was in 6th grade that I was first able to put a name to my deep-seeded Want: Acting. I took drama because that's what everyone did, and the teacher decided to put me into her production of It's A Wonderful Life as Aunt Tilly. I don't recall auditioning, which is probably a good thing as back then I was WAY too shy to have ever even considered it. But she saw something in me and placed me on that little stage, and we passed the point of no return. I did many great shows in Middle School, and without that woman putting me onstage, I don't know how long it would've taken me to figure out this was my path.
Cut to highschool. Having grown into quite an artistic type, and none too fond of the traditional schools of thought (namely math and science), I came across a charter school called Renaissance School for the Arts. It took place every afternoon and was block scheduled and all elective based - you mean I can take ballroom dancing and stage combat, film technique and a Fairy Tale writing class? Sign Me Up! I wrote several essays and was admitted. Every morning I would take the regular classes at West Highschool, and in the afternoon would go to RSA (which, thankfully for me, was actually located in the same building as West). I was also able to take my English through RSA, so it was way better/more applicable to my life and interests. I made wonderful friends at RSA, and while it wasn't always easy by any means, it made highschool bearable and I learned so much from the teachers and classes I attended. I had so many fantastic opportunities and did so many fun things! And I was in many of the West Theatre Productions such as Macbeth, The Apple Tree, The Music Man, and Leader of the Pack, among others. Through West and RSA I was able to get into various choirs and small ensemble groups, and freshman year I also started private voice lessons. The summer between freshman and sophomore year I realized I loved Ballroom dancing too much to not do it for a whole three months over summer vacation, so I started taking private lessons at Valley Social and that has enriched my life beyond telling. I began face-painting because of Ballroom - I was doing a Viennese Waltz routine to the Blind Guardian song Skalds and Shadows, and my teacher suggested I paint my face as a fairy or butterfly, since we were using some pretty awesome costumes anyway. I did some looking online and was hooked.
By this point I pretty well knew what I wanted to do with my life. And even though I'd heard stories and first hand accounts of the life and how difficult it would be for me, I always left feeling determined and excited about it, not put off. I did my research and knew the two colleges I wanted to get into and I ended up moving to NYC October 14th, 2009. I was going to go to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. How clearly I recall that day. And how far I've come since then, though it seems as only yesterday. It was difficult, but worthwhile for me. I worked and worked, then worked some more. I put my all into getting as much out of that school and the teachers and other students as possible. I met wonderful people along the way, friends I know I will cross paths with again, and can't wait to do so!
I graduated February 5th, 2011 after having done the 2yr Conservatory Program and going through the summer semester. I continued my dance training and vocal coaching outside of college, as well as taking prestigious musical theatre courses from the likes of Craig Carnelia, Kate Baldwin, Bob Cline, and Tiffany Little-Canfield. I spent a very rewarding 7 years pursuing my passion in NYC, getting to work on a myriad of wonderful projects with spectacular people, learning and growing in leaps and bounds. I was even able to realize my dream of putting on a one-woman show three days before I left the city (an out of this world evening at Pianos perfectly summing up my time in NY and saying goodbye). The road was calling, so in one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, I left New York City. I don't regret it - I'll always cherish my time and experiences in NYC, but it's time for a change of pace and scenery. I've recently landed in Wellington, New Zealand - that fast growing pinnacle of the film effects world. Who knows what adventures await me....
Cut to highschool. Having grown into quite an artistic type, and none too fond of the traditional schools of thought (namely math and science), I came across a charter school called Renaissance School for the Arts. It took place every afternoon and was block scheduled and all elective based - you mean I can take ballroom dancing and stage combat, film technique and a Fairy Tale writing class? Sign Me Up! I wrote several essays and was admitted. Every morning I would take the regular classes at West Highschool, and in the afternoon would go to RSA (which, thankfully for me, was actually located in the same building as West). I was also able to take my English through RSA, so it was way better/more applicable to my life and interests. I made wonderful friends at RSA, and while it wasn't always easy by any means, it made highschool bearable and I learned so much from the teachers and classes I attended. I had so many fantastic opportunities and did so many fun things! And I was in many of the West Theatre Productions such as Macbeth, The Apple Tree, The Music Man, and Leader of the Pack, among others. Through West and RSA I was able to get into various choirs and small ensemble groups, and freshman year I also started private voice lessons. The summer between freshman and sophomore year I realized I loved Ballroom dancing too much to not do it for a whole three months over summer vacation, so I started taking private lessons at Valley Social and that has enriched my life beyond telling. I began face-painting because of Ballroom - I was doing a Viennese Waltz routine to the Blind Guardian song Skalds and Shadows, and my teacher suggested I paint my face as a fairy or butterfly, since we were using some pretty awesome costumes anyway. I did some looking online and was hooked.
By this point I pretty well knew what I wanted to do with my life. And even though I'd heard stories and first hand accounts of the life and how difficult it would be for me, I always left feeling determined and excited about it, not put off. I did my research and knew the two colleges I wanted to get into and I ended up moving to NYC October 14th, 2009. I was going to go to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. How clearly I recall that day. And how far I've come since then, though it seems as only yesterday. It was difficult, but worthwhile for me. I worked and worked, then worked some more. I put my all into getting as much out of that school and the teachers and other students as possible. I met wonderful people along the way, friends I know I will cross paths with again, and can't wait to do so!
I graduated February 5th, 2011 after having done the 2yr Conservatory Program and going through the summer semester. I continued my dance training and vocal coaching outside of college, as well as taking prestigious musical theatre courses from the likes of Craig Carnelia, Kate Baldwin, Bob Cline, and Tiffany Little-Canfield. I spent a very rewarding 7 years pursuing my passion in NYC, getting to work on a myriad of wonderful projects with spectacular people, learning and growing in leaps and bounds. I was even able to realize my dream of putting on a one-woman show three days before I left the city (an out of this world evening at Pianos perfectly summing up my time in NY and saying goodbye). The road was calling, so in one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, I left New York City. I don't regret it - I'll always cherish my time and experiences in NYC, but it's time for a change of pace and scenery. I've recently landed in Wellington, New Zealand - that fast growing pinnacle of the film effects world. Who knows what adventures await me....