I’ve always been someone who loves to learn. My earliest memories are of me reading my picture books to my dog and lining up my stuffed animals, telling them stories or teaching them what I learned in math class that day.

Like every little girl, I was put into dance classes. Ever the overachiever, even at five years old, I was obsessed with getting each move perfect. I would work hard in class and soak in each correction my teacher gave me. If you ask me now, I would not be able to tell you what move came after the other. What I do remember is how much I loved my teacher. It was really her encouragement that strengthened my love of not only being onstage, but the rehearsal process as well.

I also fell in love with live theatre at five years old when my mom took me to see a community theatre production of Beauty and the Beast. Seeing one of my favorite movies come to life onstage instantly drew me in. It wasn’t until my freshman year of high school, nine years later, when I finally made my acting debut as Marcy in my high school’s production of School of Rock. From that moment on, I was constantly looking for the next show to be a part of.

As an actor, I’ve learned a lot about theatre. And then, when I was given the opportunity to work behind the table, I learned a whole lot more. I first explored the world of stage management. My first go around was volunteering at Chippewa Falls Middle School for their production of Pinocchio. It not only marked my first stage manager job, but also my first time working with kids. I got to guide a lot of them through their first time being in a show, and it was really fulfilling getting to teach them what I have learned over the years.

A great teacher of mine told me, “great actors make great directors,” so I put that to the test as well. I made my directorial debut as the Assistant Director for The Importance of Being Earnest at the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild. I was given the opportunity to direct the iconic “tea scene,” which I had used for a project for my directing class in college. Taking what I learned from directing that scene in class to directing it as a part of a fully realized production was both super exciting, but also super intimidating. Suddenly, I went from being the student to the teacher. I went from being the one asking the questions, to being the go to girl for the answers.

Each show I’ve done, but most importantly each teacher and director I have worked with has shaped the artist I’ve become. The first thing I ask myself after a show closes is, “What did I learn from this?” To nobody’s surprise, I took that little question and turned it into a degree. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a BA in Comprehensive Theatre Arts. Go Blugolds!

I currently using everything I have learned to teach the next generation of artists in the Chippewa Valley. I am the Assistant Theatre Director at Eau Claire North High School, as well as acting as the Assistant Show Choir Director for Altoona High School’s “Locomotion.”

When I’m not busy onstage, behind the table, or teaching, you can find me cuddling with my cats Daisy and Lily, playing with my dogs Annie and Maggie, or curled up with a good book.