I reflect and realize that those are things that I, a white male, could do without any issue before the virus. Not just without issue, but without the chance of being harassed, attacked, or even killed for the color of my skin. 

As a theatre person, we go through high school assuming that in order to be successful and make our big break, we have to go to one of the top theatre schools in the country. But my experience as a Theatre Arts major at a community college in New Jersey has proven the exact opposite.

When deciding to pursue an education in Musical Theatre, it took a lot of convincing to my peers, counselors, and voice teachers that I'd be ready to go for it. My parents on the other hand were incredibly supportive, so that's something I was truly grateful for. However, nothing prepared me for what took place in some of those audition rooms.

How did this Brazilian girl find her way into writing blog posts for BroadwayWorld? To be honest, sometimes, I find myself asking this question as well.

Equality. It feels like we've been fighting for years, decades, ages. Yet, why does nothing seem to change? Racism is not a new issue. Innocent black lives are constantly being taken, whether we see videos or not. The world is bleeding, America is burning, and we are tired.

I'm here. These words are championed by theatrical hero Celie from The Color Purple. These words inspire Celie to scream out to the world that she is beautiful and has the right to live a wonderful life. These words must echo across the nation in support of black lives. We all must be here for black lives. 

I never in a million years thought that I would live through a global pandemic. Just saying it aloud now that we are in the middle of one still feels incredibly strange.

In my journey from community college to university I've come across some obstacles with the current changes. With the help of my Professors and peers I've discovered some tricks to help navigate this tricky time. 

My immediate thoughts were along the lines of: a?oeHow on earth do they expect students to retain any kind of theatre teaching in solely an online setting?a?? a?oeWhat will be their expectations of us moving forward?a?? a?oeWill I continue to succeed or lose interest?a?? a?oeWhat will I do for my dance class?a?? 

Did you ever see the video of the cast of Be More Chill finding out they were going to Broadway? That's how we felt.

It was on Wednesday, March 11th that Princeton announced to students that the rest of the 2020 Spring semester would be virtual. By the time that Wednesday rolled around, not only were Princeton students knee-deep in midterms and excitedly preparing for Spring Break, but the reality of the virus was quickly settling in.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I earned my Bachelors in Theater. At least I did virtually. As a member of the class of 2020, my final semester of college came to an end abruptly back in March.

In the first week it was a whirlwind of singing for voice teachers so I could be placed with the right one, running from ballet to tap classes to be put in a dance level that would make sure I didn't end up with someone who had been dancing since the age of three, an abundance of meetings about what to expect, and meeting my new classmates. 

Being a part of Temple University's theater program has been an absolute pleasure so far. From the friends that I've made to the professors I have worked with, there is no doubt in my mind that I made the correct decision in entering the world of theater, or at least taking the first step.

I hope everyone reading this is staying safe and healthy wherever you are. Remembera?? this is only an intermission. 

There is no question that this pandemic has disrupted people's everyday lives and created a new standard for normal.  This is especially true in the realm of education, as many people have been forced to adjust to online learning. 

Choosing a college is hard, trust me I get it. It took me two tries before finally finding the right school for me. Thankfully, I found where I belonged but it wasn't easy. Here's the story of how I ended up at Marymount Manhattan College.

This is obviously a terrifying time for theatre and those who love it. Especially for students like myself, as we enter the work force of an industry that might be forever changed.

The play was supposed to run after spring breaka?"a break that we never came back from. We left our play where it sat, our dorm rooms like museum exhibits. Sensing the mounting stakes, we threw together an open dress rehearsal, desperate to get the play in front of an audience just once. 

I hope that we can emerge seeing justice and that the ones we endowed with trust beforehand, are still worthy of said trust in the end.

When I first decided to involve myself with the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg's Theatre Company I, like many others, had a set of expectations for what I would be doing there. Singing, acting, dancinga?? I was fully prepared to do, and see, it all!

Every time I see a blank piece of paper, I have a little mini stroke. It mocks me because it tells me the last thing I wrote wasn't good enough to get people to love or respect me. I don't write for that gratification but it's that little voice, that little kid in me, that yearns for the approval of others.

I gathered 32 quizzes related to theatre, each of them tested to see not only are they fun but relatively unique to each other.

Always being a musically inclined person led to me being involved in musicals throughout my middle and high school years, even playing bigger roles throughout the years along with actively singing in choir. Theater quickly earned a place in my heart that still remains true to this day.

I am excited to share with you my adventures at CCM, and the incredible impacts that this program has made on my life.