"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."

I am most proud of how willing my cast was of doing a show like this. It has simple lines and simple blocking and not at all a challenge. Because it is a show for little kids, it has to be very expressive, very Disney-like, and my cast was more than willing to do that. If I had to do this project again, I would choose a musical to be more engaging with the audience. I would also choreograph a small dance number so it has all of the things I love in one show. I'm also extremely proud of how quickly they adapted to me playing as Cinderella. It was a very impromptu and spur-of-the-moment decision that thankfully went well!

"Explain how your life experiences are reflected through your project."

Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be a teacher and I truly believe it is my calling. When I heard my class was going to have a unit on Children's Theater, I immediately ran up to my director and asked if I could make it my Capstone. It combines my love for the arts and my passion for working with kids. I also am a huge fan of Disney Princesses. My favorite Disney Princess is actual Ariel so if I were to ever direct a piece like this I would do The Little Mermaid!

"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?"

The summer before my sophomore year I went to Wisconsin for a drama camp called HAMLAB. It was a camp my mom went to when she was in middle school. The director of that drama camp moved to Wisconsin and the program went with him and I had they amazing opportunity to join. There are 2 things that have stuck with me since; 1. the worst thing that can happen on stage is that your heart will explode and you'll die, and 2. performing on stage and acting is using the same imagination that little kids do when they are playing. We are grown up little kids. 

"How is your life positively impacted by the arts?"

It sounds cliche,  but the arts have changed my life. I remember my freshman year I thought I didn't want to pursue theater or even take the class my sophomore year, but I went and saw The Addams Family at Mesa Community College and it truly changed something within me. It felt like the first time I ever saw a musical. It was around 2014-2015 and my grandma was a math teacher at Nooksack Valley High School and their theater program was putting on Legally Blonde: The Musical. It was a beautiful show and I could not WAIT to get Elle Woods' autograph on my pink Playbill. I still have it to this day. I have always been a singer, dancer, actress, and an artist and I will always be one. There was a time in my life where all I did was draw. For 3 years straight, that's all I did and I became insanely good at it. The same thing with dancing. I expressed myself in ways I thought I never could.

"How do you plan to include artistic experiences in your future after high school?"

In my future classroom, the arts will be taught to be loved and appreciated. How to paint, how to dance, how to draw, and how to act. These are all average day-to-day things humans do. When reading a book, kids will learn how to embody a character. When creating art off of a holiday they will be taught how to paint and to draw. When simply being happy they will dance. 

"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?"

My best advice to keep an open mind. I've seen people have to act as dogs, lick peoples feet, portray serious mental health issues, and learn a whole new language. It truly goes by so quick and its important to make the best of it. Don't give up or think you "can't do it" because you can do anything you set your mind to, as long as you have that open mindset!