Thanks to an encouraging mom, dad, set of aunts, uncles and grandparents, I have been performing since the age of three. Community theatres, recital halls, and living rooms throughout the midwest each helped to foster the attitude that a career based in creativity and "fun" was possible.
Growing up, I took performance as seriously as a little kid could take it, focusing on tap, jazz, ballet dancing and voice lessons nearly every day of the week. And by the time I got to high school, the large drama program we had only fueled my fire. I became heavily involved as a member of our department's Repertory theatre for the next 4 years. Meanwhile, outside of high school, I spent every summer from 7th grade to my sophomore year in college doing semi-professional theatre at "Theatre in the Park" in Kansas City.
I couldn't get enough of this life. and I was lucky to have an outlet for my growing obsession.