When I was 8 years old my mom put me into a Journey kids camp, and I was honestly against it. For some reason I didn’t want to go, but it turned out to be such an amazing experience that I loved. After that I auditioned for my first show: Alice in Wonderland Jr. (2018), and from then on out I was hooked. Before Covid I was only able to do one show a year because I was a year-round competitive gymnast, but I always looked forward to when fall would come around and I would get to be on stage again.
Once Covid hit and everything got locked down, I patiently, yet eagerly, waited for when shows would start back up. Finally, in 2022, I was able to audition for Descendants the Musical (2022), and this was where I really started to feel how unique a space Journey was. Everybody was always so encouraging and kind, and the community was unlike any other place I had been. I get very anxious when talking to new people, but nobody hesitated to make me feel welcome. After that my love for Journey and for acting only grew. I did shows and classes year round, and started building relationships with my peers. Not only did I grow relationships, I also learned so many new skills and techniques within theater that I don’t think I would’ve learned without Journey, one being tap dancing; something I absolutely adore doing now.
When I was 15 I got my first lead role as Velveteen in The Velveteen Rabbit (2023). It was nerve wracking to say the least; I had never done a straight play before and my character practically never left the stage. Throughout the whole experience I was shown encouragement by my peers, artistic team, and the Journey community as a whole. After that I have had the opportunity to play such fun roles like Squidward in The SpongeBob Musical (2024), and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast (2024). I joined TREK last year along with the year-long Musical Theater Studio class, and from those I have been able to work on my leadership, communication, team building, and theater skills. I have worked at the kids camps and TA’d in classes, and I am glad I did it all.
I am now 18 years old, in my 15th show with Journey, and in my last class. I am incredibly thankful for Journey and the community I have been a part of, the friendships I have gained, and all the skills I have learned that will help me in the long run. I plan to pursue a career in acting, focusing more on screen acting.
Journey has been something I have always looked forward to going to, and even with this next chapter of my life I will be forever grateful my mom made me do that kids camp.