Please click here to view my Video Reflection !
View my Arts Seal Reflection here, or read the copy below.
Arizona Arts Proficiency Seal
Queen Creek Unified School District
Capstone Reflection
Thinking about the process and product of your Capstone, reflect upon what you are most proud of and what you might do differently if you were to complete a similar project in the future.
When looking at “Falling through the cracks” as a whole, I think I am most proud of my ability to adapt and overcome challenging situations while directing this production. I had four hours to put all technical aspects together, lost an actor two days before the show due to covid, and overall was not “set up” for success. Although there were many factors that could have contributed to the overall downfall of this show, My cast, My crew, and I persevered through them and put on what was said by the audience to be a very good show. This show was also at the top of my priorities from May to January, which ensured our performance dates in the PAC and overall coordination of the show. Although proud of the end result, as a director I did have faults. My rehearsals were sometimes scheduled or canceled very last minute. Thankfully, I had an incredibly understanding and flexible cast so this did not typically affect attendance. In the future, I would also coordinate a more professional rehearsal environment, as rehearsing in a cast member's house posed issues with inconsistency in availability and distractions during rehearsals such as dogs and family members.
Explain how your life experiences are reflected through your project.
The play “Falling through the cracks” is a play I wrote loosely based around my own life experiences. Every character shares similarities to someone I've met in real life, every scene holds some truth to my life, and every technical design was handpicked by myself to mimic how I see life. Falling through the cracks is a play I wrote to spread awareness and recognition to teenage suicide, but is also what could have been for me if I didnt seek and recieve help when I did. Writing, producing, and sharing this show was a very raw experience for me. I would be lying if I said this show did not at least partially drain me. Putting the most vulnerable parts of my life on a stage was scary, but paid off for a good message and cause.
Thinking about the Extra-curricular hours you completed, reflect upon what you learned through the experiences and/or how you have been impacted as an artist?
My life has been the arts since fourth grade. The extracurricular hours I've completed throughout highschool have not only made me more organized, efficient, and communicative, but have also allowed me to take charge in ways I never thought possible. The biggest impact the arts have had on me is giving me the ability to see myself as a leader. I'm proud to say theatre has no longer allowed me to be the one who stays quiet, I have learned the ability to creatively, emotionally, and professionally express myself, my ideas, and how I feel. I feel powerful and appreciated when I share my art.
How is your life positively impacted by the arts?
The arts have acted as an emotional outlet throughout all of the trials and tribulations of high school. I have used technical design to express myself for some time, and I genuinely think it has been the only constant in my life. Designing lights or going to rehearsal allows me to take a step out of reality and focus on whatever fake reality I'm working towards creating. Theatre makes my day to day life brighter, and has brought so many incredible people into my life. Theatre has completely changed my outlook on life simply because it makes life easier. Theatre brings a comfort into my life that no person or thing can even come close to matching.
How do you plan to include artistic experiences in your future after high school?
I will be attending Eastern Arizona College to study Technical Arts in Fall 2022 semester on a full scholarship. Queen Creek Theatre is one hundred percent to thank for this opportunity for gifting me my knowledge and skill in lighting design. My previous experience and what I have learned in high school will now contribute to making me a better technician in college.
What advice would you give an incoming freshmen about studying the arts to help them make the most of their experiences while in high school?
Let your passion rule your life. Nobody else, nothing else. I let what I was passionate for lead the way despite what my friends and family thought, doing this lead me to so much success and ultimate happiness. If you let other people tell you how to live, what to like, and what to seek you will have so many regrets. So take that risk, let your friends make fun of you, make your mom mad, be bold. The bolder the choice the better, especially as an artist. Don't second guess yourself either, you’ll end up where you need to be. Just follow your heart.