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Fort Scott Community College Band

I somehow, under the tutelage of my very patient professor (and boss as I later became his work study student) Michael Dzbenski, obtained a nearly full ride scholarship to play bass drum in the jazz, pep, and marching band. This was a challenge both mentally (I began never having ever played any instruments, much less in a band) but also physically (I had a choice between cymbals and the bass and I wished to challenge myself). Sometimes I did not like it, but now I look back at the experience with nothing but fondness. All the arm soreness and near-falling over was most definitely worth the experience.

FSCC: Singing

I love to sing. At Fort Scott, the school was small enough that I was able to do theatre as well as participate in the band and choir. I also started the acapella group there, and sang for several events including the National Anthem at football games and graduation, as well as singing solos at several scholarship events and even for dinners hosted for state senators and officials. Small college; big opportunity. My voice went from naturally good and problematically asthmatic to finely tuned, less breathy, trained greatness thanks to multiple vocal lessons and lots of public events.

Summer Melodramas

The main theatre professor at Fort Scott, Sarah Mae Lamar, arranged for a melodrama to happen in the Common Ground coffee shop every summer. This was a unique experience because we did about a dozen shows compared to the normal four or five. It was also my first paid acting gig, which was a welcome gig even though it was just based off of tips. We did "The Treasure of Shiver River", in which I played Heidi Clare Sanders. The next year we did an original student written work by Michael Peterson and Alyx Thompson named, "Space to Meet You", in which I played the sexy moon villianess, Faye Tality. I excel at melodrama because of my tendency to have very expressive features.

Student Directed One Acts

Taking a part of student projects is always a treat, because I get to be a part of their success. I did student projects at both of my colleges. At FSCC there was; "Check, Please" directed by Alyssa Parker in which I was Mimi, and "Great God Pan" directed by Christopher Herman in which I was Paige. I also directed my own one act as a project, called "On The Spot". At PSU I have participated in "Sure Thing", directed by Eric Davis in which I was Betty. Then "For Whom the Southerm Belle Tolls", directed by Amanda Longpine in which I was Ginny. 

CAPS 13

After my Intro To Audio Video Production class, Trent Kling asked me if I would be willing to anchor for PSU's CAPS 13 news because of my combination of professionalism and enthusiasm. I agreed for the fun and experience of it, and was surprisingly awarded a Broadcasting scholarship of 500$ for my time. Being a news anchor is drastically different than live stage acting, and is even something I could see myself pursuing as a career.

PSU Outdoor Activities Club

Not only is this club fun, but I also was able to meet and communicate with a lot of international students! A very good group of adventurers that offer inexpensive trips around the area, complete with camping and hiking. This was an opportunity for me to step away from my comfort zone of theatre folk and into something new. I also learned a lot about different cultures, after being in the woods with no cell service and good conversation. For example, in my car on the way to a trip I had people from Iran, Germany, France, and Finland in my vehicle, all talking and comparing countries for a few hours. Being a part of this group was enlightening and unforgettable.

Makeup

Theatre has taught me a lot about makeup. It used to be a mysterious, alien thing. But now I see makeup as an art form; a type of instantaneous transformation. I do all of my own makeup for shows now. Also, below you will see a bit of rough edge makeup on myself and a bullet hole wound in the forehead of Ayman Syed. That particular makeup project was actually from a shooter simulation disaster drill, conducted right on this campus in the nursing building in order to train EMTs and prospective nurses in emergency preparedness. I was acting as a panic attack victim. I have also acted in improvised nursing clinical simulation ensemble, to prepare nursing students for realistic, communicative situations that may happen in your everyday hospital room. The skull makeup was a Halloween project, and the old scar makeup was me playing with ideas during Tech Prod II

Disney College Program

I took a semester off of school to do the Disney College Program. This was an internship in Orlando, Florida. I lived there for five months in the sponsored housing, and worked Quickservice Food and Beverage at Disney World Resort and Parks. This was invaluable, and unforgettable, and by far one of the best experiences of my life. I did not like the job much and working for an overwhelmingly powerful corporation was a new thing for me, but the things I experienced, the memories I made, and the people I met absolutely changed my life. My roommates were from New Zealand and they became my second family. I still talk to them today. I know people from all around the country and all around the world, and now have a wonderful mark on my heart and my resume. Working for Disney is not for the lazy or faint of heart, but doing the College Program can leave an everlasting impression. I am more hard working now. I appreciate all of life's smaller aesthetic moments. I am closer to self actualization. 

Overall, I am very happy with myself. I have accomplished a lot in my lifetime and I am only 20 years old. Chase dreams. Act. Sing. Camp. Explore. If I put my mind to something, I can achieve it.

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