Actors have always fascinated me. The ability to go on stage or in front of a camera and become a whole new person is incredible.
Many of the shows I watched growing up inspired me to act. “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “iCarly” were two major influences. I adored Selena Gomez and wanted to be on the big screen just like her.
Unfortunately, there were not many acting opportunities for children where I grew up.
My first experience with a stage show was “The Lion King” musical at the Wharton Center in Lansing. From then on, my mom would take me to see many more shows there, including “Shrek: The Musical” and “Mary Poppins.”
There were finally some acting opportunities once I got to middle school. I participated in the shows “Suessical Jr.” and “Honk Jr.” but only in the ensemble. I never found the courage to go for a lead role.
I took an acting class in my freshman year of high school but still never found the confidence to fully get into theater, which led to me quitting any performing arts I was involved in.
It was not until my senior year that I decided I wanted to be involved in theater again. I did tech for “Beauty and the Beast,” but all I could think about the whole time was how fun it would be on stage. That is what led to me becoming a part of Ferris Theater.
In the fall of 2022, I started my first semester at Ferris. I enrolled in an acting class and auditioned for the fall show, “Kinky Boots.” Due to the sheer amount of people who auditioned and my busy schedule, I did not get cast. While I was sad about that, I still had my class, which I was excited about. The professor at the time was Katherine LaPietra, one of my most influential professors.
Throughout the semester, she taught and encouraged me. She always gave helpful feedback and got me to step out of my comfort zone a few times. This pushed me to audition for the spring show, “She Kills Monsters,” and take another acting class. I got cast as Lilith, a lesbian demon queen. This was a secondary main role and a crazy one at that.
I soon discovered the spring semester was LaPietra’s last show as she was retiring. Not only was I excited to perform as this character, but I was honored that she trusted me to play this character in her final show.
I met some of my best friends and most amazing people while doing that show. I also felt so much more confident in myself and my acting ability. I learned that it does not hurt to try something. I also learned that you can fake confidence even if you are terrified. None of it would have happened if it weren’t for LaPietra.
Since then, I have continued doing theater at Ferris and have met so many kind and incredible people. I was able to be a part of “Working,” “Radium Girls” and “Urinetown.” I have also grown a deeper appreciation for theater, especially after our trip to Stratford, Canada.
We got the chance to see some unique theaters, as well as three very different shows. Stage actors are so talented, and I love seeing the passion in their performances. Everyone involved in a show puts so much time and effort into it that they become a family. The time leading up to a show is such a special experience.
Live theater is such an important art that I think everyone should experience at least once. I know it changed my life for the better, and I hope to continue acting or being involved in theater for the rest of my life.