Acting & film
Acting & film
Let me tell you my story…
I have done theatre since I was little. One of my first shows ever was Julius Cesar (check out the photo of me below)!
When I was younger, I struggled with learning disabilities, making it quite difficult for me to excel in school. This struggle as a young child was embarrassing at the time, as I struggled with reading especially. No one really knew or understood because I had a photographic memory on my side. I had many people fooled, including my parents. My mother read to me, and I memorized every word she said. A few days would go by, and I would "read" the book to her to could make her proud. Well, after a while of pulling it off, they figured out my secret trick. My teachers tried glasses, but they eventually gave up on me. I had given up on myself along with my teachers and peers, but my parents weren't willing to let me drown in this setback. They took me to different doctors and tutors and did anything to help me work on my reading skills.
Then when I was in the 1st grade, my school was putting on the show, Julius Ceasar. I was planning on auditioning to have a prominent speaking role, but as soon as I got on that stage, the theatre teacher said, "no!" This was my first taste of rejection (you have to start somewhere, right?)
She told the whole school I was to be a part of the crowd because "you can't read" and that I lacked the "potential" for this role. Imagine hearing all this as a 1st grader! That day stuck with me, but it far from stopped me. I was determined to prove her wrong and be the best crowd anyone had ever seen.
When it came time for rehearsal, I played my part in helping my fellow cast mates recite their lines since I knew the whole play cover to cover. It just so happened that Ceasar did not know his part; this was my moment! I stood in front of the teacher, spoke the whole monologue (mind you, it was all written in Shakespeare dialect), and finished with a smile. I gave the teacher a subtle smile and returned to the crowd. Never did I let the words of that teacher bring me down. It only built me up. I helped my cast mates and didn't stop myself from pursuing my passion and believing in my abilities. My parents moved me to a different school with strong values and great teachers; Admiral Farragut Academy.
Admiral Farragut Academy (a military school in Florida) is where I met Marica Roberts (Mrs. Roberts). The woman who taught me to read and encouraged me through it all. Mrs. Roberts taught me more than just reading. She introduced me to a side of myself that I hadn't yet discovered. We would go to musicals together, and she would tell me how excited she was to see me on that stage one day because I was already a star in her eyes. I grew to sing the national anthem and perform at a school that didn't have a heavy arts program before.
From there, I continued to grow my experience from a young age. When the school talent show rolled around, I decided to surprise everyone with my singing and acting abilities, which no one knew about at the time. I sang "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. This song's meaning was something I held close to my heart from all I had experienced from such a young age. I ended up winning the talent show and furthering my excitement about being on stage.
Acting & Film Experience
