WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN PERFORMING?
When I was in Carroll Middle School, I won Best Actress in Texas UIL’s one-act play contest. I was also doing shows at the OhLook Performing Arts Center and the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet Company.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST TRY DIRECTING?
The first show I ever directed was a production of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” at Carroll. The high schoolers directed the middle schoolers, and we toured through the elementary schools.
WHEN DID YOU HIT BROADWAY?
I knew if I wanted to pursue my dreams as an actor and a performer, I would eventually have to move to New York City. I left Texas to perform at Walt Disney World and pursue theater at the University of South Florida. After I graduated, I moved to New York to continue acting and directing.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ROLES?
I loved playing Elle Woods in OhLook’s adaptation of “Legally Blonde.” I played Hippolyta and Titania in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Ophelia in “Drowning Ophelia.”
WHEN DID YOU TAKE DIRECTING MORE SERIOUSLY?
There was a point in one of my shows when I started feeling empathy for every character on stage, not just my own. I realized I could see shows on a larger scale than I ever thought possible. Because I’ve acted so much, I know what I need to do to help an actor get to the place they need to be with their character.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FAVORITE SHOWS YOU’VE DIRECTED?
At the height of the pandemic, I directed a virtual production of “Twelfth Night” that brought a lot of joy during a dark time. I also just finished an original show called “Moms: The Musical,” which is one of the best productions I’ve ever had the chance to work on.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT BEING BACK ON BROADWAY?
I am just excited to be back in a rehearsal room after 18 months. What I loved was totally taken away thanks to COVID-19. When we got back onstage, I was reunited with all my writers, actors and producers. We all just started crying. We couldn’t believe we were in the same room together again after being away for so long. This is what I do. This is my calling.