The Performer Life
My Journey to New York
The Decision
I always wanted to move to New York. When I was four, my mom and dad took me into the city to see theBroadway musical, Beauty and the Beast. One show and I was hooked. I got the Broadway bug and loved going to shows. I hoped one day I would be up on stage like the performers I watched.
Flash forward 14 years. I was 18 years old and dancing in a professional ballet company in San Antonio, Texas. I was performing and getting paid to do it, but something was missing. I trained so hard to get where I wanted to be, but I was unhappy. I was sitting on the couch, wondering what I could do to fix my state of mind. And then, it hit me. I remembered that bright eyed little girl, so in awe of New York. I instantly knew that I had to move. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in musical theater.
A big change comes with lots of mixed emotions. I packed up my apartment in San Antonio and moved to New York. I was unsure of where my life would lead from this point on. That all changed when I stepped into my New York apartment. I know it sounds cliché, but it was as if my whole life led up to this moment. For the first time in years, I felt totally at peace with my life. I knew it would be hard work, but I was finally on the right track.
The Leap of Faith
People assume that being a musical theater performer in New York is all glitz and glam. To be honest, I did too. When I first moved to New York, I was so green. I had no idea that being a triple threat is no longer a special skill in musical theater. It is a requirement. This means that every performer, including myself, is constantly in acting, singing and dancing classes.
Even though I loved theater growing up, I was always just a dancer. I never took acting classes or voice lessons. Upon moving to New York, l had to get into class as soon as possible. I realized how much I was lacking in many required areas.
I remember walking into my first voice lesson. My voice teacher asked me what my singing experience was. I naivly said that I liked to sing in the car and in the shower, but that was about it. I wasn’t even in choir growing up! I was so nervous to make sound on my own. However, he made me feel so comfortable right away. The first song I ever learned was “In My Own Little Corner” from “Cinderella”.
One of the lines in the song is “I can be whatever I want to be!” Now more than ever, I know that this is the truth. I moved to a huge city at 18. I had no job prospects or any idea what I was getting myself into, but I dove headfirst into a new life.
In today’s world, I think we can all learn from our carefree younger selves. While the world may feel paused, there is so much to experience and learn from.
The Question
Is there anything you have wanted to try, but have yet to do? What’s holding you back? There is only one way to go and that’s forward. Let’s get the conversation going in the comments below!
