Remember those days when you were knee-high and all you wanted was to tag along with your older siblings? Well, for me, that meant diving headfirst into the world of musical theatre, inspired by my cool big sister. Picture eight-year-old me, not quite belting out “I Can Do That” from A Chorus Line, but ready to give it my all to be as awesome as her. 

So, off I went, trailing in her footsteps to the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre at Theatre Under The Stars. With knowledgeable teachers and students who shared my passion, I learned quickly and had a wonderful experience. Even my mom got in on the action, and she continues to be a TUTS Teaching Artist to this day! 

Before hitting my teen years, I found myself on the mainstage, rubbing elbows with the legendary Cathy Rigby as a Lost Boy in Peter Pan! Witnessing pros at work, making the impossible look easy while having a blast, fueled my belief that I could do the same one day. The bond formed with my fellow students during those early years added a richness to our connections that’s irreplaceable. 

Today, I’ve been in more than two dozen TUTS mainstage shows, and I’m just getting started. Thanks to the unparalleled training and experiences at TUTS, I’ve been able to do the impossible and stay in my hometown, serving the community as both a teaching artist and a professional actor. Instead of chasing city lights, I’ve got the best of both worlds right here in Houston. 

When I teach, I aim to share the same joy, wonder, passion, and community that lit up my childhood theater days onto my students. I can see their impossible dreams coming to life thanks to TUTS, just like mine did. And when I step onto the stage to share my love with you, the excitement and pride of being part of Theatre Under The Stars are just as electric as when I was a wide-eyed eight-year-old. 

As TUTS continues to work its magic, producing extraordinary productions for Houston and nurturing the next wave of artists, it’s clear – making the impossible possible is their forte. So mark my words: the future of our city and musical theatre itself is destined to be nothing short of dazzling. Thank you for supporting TUTS – my home, and yours, for local and wonderful musical theatre!