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I’m currently excited about the return to in-person classes. It may seem simple, but I find that the simple things often have the most inspiration to draw from. This is only my second semester having classes in-person despite my being a second year, and I’m happy to say it already feels as if I am getting a fresh start. The thought of seeing familiar classmates and meeting new ones makes me eager to be back in person.

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I have been watching the 25th anniversary performance of Phantom often recently, and it has reinforced my love for musical theatre.

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'The Phantom of The Opera' | The Phantom Of The Opera

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I am also quite excited to be getting to learn more about areas of theatre I have little experience in as well as those I have no experience in at all. I have always been a performer, but I’ve hardly had any experience backstage or in other areas of a production offstage. I think experience in these areas can be invaluable, so the thought of learning more about them gets me motivated for this class and others I have regarding the subject.

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Of course, I am also excited to see and take part in ongoing productions at UT.

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I can’t say I’m too close yet, but as it grows nearer and nearer, the thought of graduating is on my mind more and more. To think that I’ll be done with school- at least for now- is a sort of freeing thought after 16 or so years of it. I enjoy doing well in classes, so I want to aim for a solid finish once I graduate. Of course, I want to do my best to have fun along the way as well.

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Honestly, I don’t have an exact plan for my life after graduation at the moment. I just know that I will have to do what I can with what I’m feeling right now, and right now I feel that I would like to try my hand at pursuing a career in acting onstage. Maybe I would enjoy working backstage as well once I learn more and train in that area. I only have a general direction right now, but I know that as long as I can do what I enjoy, I will be happy.

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Black box theaters always remind me of my high school, as that's where my theatre classes would take place. I think that I would like to teach theatre myself in a space like this, eventually.

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I don't get much of a chance to mention this as I rarely find a conversation in which it's relevant, but to be completely honest, being a flying monkey in Wicked on Broadway would be like the ultimate dream come true for me.

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I perform because I find it fun, first and foremost. Young Frankenstein's musical adaptation always reminds me of fun times.

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Acting has always been my mode of self-expression, and this quote resonates with the way I view it.

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Performance has always been fun for me. The more meaningful, fulfilling bits came later, but from the very first performance I can remember doing, acting has always been my greatest source of fun. I mean, that’s what it is, isn’t it? No matter what trials or tribulations could possibly come with it, performing is fun for everyone involved. Unless you’re a stick in the mud. That’s what I think, at least. That’s why I love performing.

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Since I was only 13, acting has been more valuable to me than any other activity. I’m usually a more reserved sort of person, but onstage I am able to escape that. Acting allows me to express myself in a way nothing else does. I think that anyone performing or creating art should be able to pour themselves into it. That is what makes it special not only for others, but for the creator/performer as well.

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I act for myself, and for the sake of bringing art to the world. I believe that what Don Cheadle explains in this video matches this. Acting is an investment of time that is lifelong. I believe that is the best way to reach others with your art as an actor.

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Don Cheadle Explains Where the Real Work Happens for an Actor

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To be a truly great actor, I believe it requires a lifelong commitment. You must observe the world around you and take in all of the meaningful interactions and moments you witness so that you may reflect the sincerity of life’s everyday moments on the stage. Of course, I don’t claim to be a great actor, or even to really know how to be one for that matter. This is just what I believe, so I try to make an effort to live my life “theatrically” every day, in a way that matters to me.

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I think that performance has a certain way of touching people that is very personal. I think every performer should strive for this no matter what message they are wanting to send.

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I believe that in order to reach others through performance, one must start with a reflection of what message the performance is putting across- how it can change things. I believe that performers have a medium that is perfect for expressing a desire for change and inspiring that desire in their audience. Acting and other forms of performance can be very transformative, and I have realized the importance of being able to use the personal connection performance can have with people to express important ideas.

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Personally, I find that collaboration can be a bit daunting at times. I can be a bit of a solitary person, so I sometimes find it difficult to open up to others in order to work with them. This is reinforced by my values of self-responsibility, but, lately, I’ve realized how my ideals that I once viewed as solitary can be applied to collaboration. Self-responsibility is just as important when you are collaborating as it is when you are alone. Perhaps it’s a simple realization, but it helps me to see the value that collaboration can have.

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Acting is a perfect example of how self-responsibility is important both when alone and when collaborating. There is work to be done alone (memorizing lines, studying a character), but that solitary work acts as a mere piece in a grander whole of a performance.

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The "red zone" that people find themselves in regarding collaboration is a common occurrence, I feel. But that's why it is so important to take what makes us feel defensive and use it to contribute towards a collaboration.

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Cultivating Collaboration: Don't Be So Defensive! | Jim Tamm | TEDxSantaCruz

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Collaboration matters because it allows us to learn from each other. I would argue that the potential knowledge to be gained from fellow collaborators is oftentimes more important than the project that is being collaborated on. Humans are a social species. We build upon the knowledge of past accomplishments and discoveries, so of course this persists- even if it’s something as “small” as a group project for a class in school. Collaboration’s value is obvious (even if it isn’t always easy).