A pivotal moment in my life as an artist was my experience with Bo Burnhams Inside. Before and after seeing this film, I have never been impacted that deeply by a piece of art. Inside is an incredibly meta and self aware piece that discusses mental illness, struggling with your past mistakes as an artists, and the affects of iscolation. Combining intricate film detail along with a musical-like soundtrack, Burnham consistently comments on society without assuming he is above it. My passion is usually revivals of classic musicals, but Inside made me realize that recent pieces can have a long lasting effect. 

I am trained in both singing, acting, and dance, and I hope to spend the next three years continuing those disciplines in order to be the best performer I can be when I begin to professionally audition. I hope to originate a role one day, making something from scratch. 

My goal is to be a disciplined actor both on stage and screen, and work to be part of work that means something to me and audiences alike.

Once a week, I set aside time to watch art that will inspire me, let it be a TV show, theatrical bootleg, or film. I sit down and devote time to watch both the actors and filmmakers choices, learning things that they do. An example of this is that this week, I went to see Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, and was inspired both by the directorial and acting choices. I made note of the time jumps and cinematic parallels, as well as the actors ability to convey complex relationships within a 2 minute scene. This film was done beautifully, and I always love Guadagnino's work. 

Seeing Mason Alexander Park this past summer in Cabaret showed me how to give yourself fully to a role, making big and bold choices that apply to the character. Emcee is a classically bold and almost circus-like character, and Park does an excellent job showing the depth of how the war stole that eccentricity away from the character. I have attatched Parks version of “I Don't Care Much”, where they show how their once sense of individuality and wonder has been stolen. Their performance continues to inspire me and give me chills to this day. 

Although it seems unimportant, my parents' approval is crucial to the art I make. They have played such an important part in my life, including artistically, that I want to make art that inspires them, as that is what inspired me. They have done so much for me and my training, and I want them to appreciate what they helped create, as I credit them to my talent and progress. 

My childhood influences have shaped me as an artist, and I yearn to be an artist that creates thing that isn't too “sophisticated” for young aspiring artists. My goal is to both do “complex” art, but also participate in art that makes a child want to become an artist. That, for me, was inspired by Julie Andrews in Sound of Music. From seeing that as a child with my mother, I was in awe as to how someone can convey such a wide range of emotions, and tackle such complex topics while still creating a joyful performance. I have attached Andrews “I Have Confidence”, as that was my favorite as a child. 

My influences have shaped me as an artist, and I hope to be a performer that shapes someone else.