I first got involved in theater at Irvington because I had been performing in cultural shows since I was three. My dad also acted in these performances, and seeing him on stage inspired me to try it myself. By the time I got to high school, I transferred into the CCA program, and in my sophomore year, I auditioned for my first IHS production: Arsenic and Old Lace. Before that, I had experience performing poems and theater roles as a child, often getting cast as valiant princes or other similar characters. That early exposure made it easy for me to jump into high school theater with enthusiasm.

The first challenge I faced was memorizing lines and putting the right emotion into them, especially for bigger roles. I learned that connecting the words with the emotion I wanted to convey while practicing helped the lines stick naturally. My first IHS production gave me a small role, but the experience was memorable, and I was motivated to audition for Cinderella, where I joined the ensemble. That production was the most fun I’ve had in the theater because I got to play several roles and choose how to interpret the little parts I performed. It also became one of the most meaningful productions to me because of the energetic and friendly cast and the enjoyable atmosphere of the production.

Over time, theater has taught me a lot. In Romeo and Juliet, I learned skills like stage combat and performing intimacy scenes, which challenged me to grow as an actor. Watching productions like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has inspired me to continue learning how to interact with technical stage effects, reacting to elements that aren’t physically there, which makes performances feel more magical. Theater has also helped me become more confident; I used to be shy, but acting has encouraged me to be louder and more expressive.

Theater has been a place to de-stress and connect with friends. I have a personal motto for performance: “lock out to lock in.” Before a show, I don’t think about the performance at all. I focus on homework or hanging out with friends, and then when it’s time to go on stage, I dive in completely. 

For anyone hesitant about joining the theater, my advice is simple: try it. Auditioning and participating are not as stressful as they may seem. The community is welcoming, and you get to make new friends while having fun and gaining valuable experience. Theater has been an incredible part of my high school journey, and I would encourage anyone curious to give it a chance.