I bring this up because that is my history. Thrifting for costumes, using a 20-year-old computer for sound, nonexistent lightboard, and zero community help. I am hungry for work. I am hungry for passion community and theater. I work whenever I can. I am involved in a project at all times. I am working tirelessly to be involved. Now that I'm in a place that is comparatively well funded and that is overflowing with opportunities I take whatever I can get. I'm always extremely passionate about my work and ready to get going. When working with me I throw out every idea that comes to my head. I always want to hear what my collaborators have to say and to put their ideas into practice. 

I am aware I have a dominant personality and I am constantly working to make sure I give equal opportunities when working with others. Being aware of my lean towards taking charge means that I can now be more aware and work to make the spaces I collaborate in more comfortable by limiting myself and putting others first. 

What I'm trying to say is I have a passion. Passion doesn't do all the work but it makes it easier. I love what I do and I love working with others. 

My history influences all my work. As I mentioned in my all about me section, I did not grow up with proper theater resources which makes my passion for the work that much better. My ability to do much with little is incredibly handy and definitely influences my work. I am more likely to focus more on acting in a project than on sets, costumes, or lighting because I began my work without most of those things. 

World struggles also influence my work. I choose not to separate myself from my work and often the things I worry about shine through. The ongoing genocide of the Palestinians has been a big influence on my work this past year as there is no way to ignore or move past it in any facet of my life. My struggle with mental health has influenced me as well as familial issues, political issues, and financial issues. All of these things I allow to influence my work because they influence my life. 

My current interests influence me. I have recently found a fascination with suicide in plays and that has influenced me and my work. My favorite play of all time is "'Night Mother" by Marsha Norman. It's such a beautiful piece of art and ever since reading it it has significantly influenced my interests, goals, and what I like to perform. All plays with suicide really. This play has definitely influenced my tastes because now I actively search for plays with suicide in them to read because the different ways it's handheld are so fascinating to me.

I have also had experience working with Shakespeare. I played Helena in Midsummer, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, and Rosalind in As You Like It. These were all in a summer camp where you put a play together in a week. Those experiences taught me how to capitalize on my time. Make every moment count and let nothing go to waste. It was extremely beneficial and I still have connections to it today. 

I did my first musical this year and it was such a wonderful experience. The people and the process were so different from what I was used to as I'd never done a musical before. Where I live we didn't have the budget or the passion to put them on. I really enjoyed my time and I am so happy to continue that journey.