Posed in our costumes for our acrobatics dance "Guys & Dolls" (from right), Rachel, Ashley, Jenna and I wait in the dressing room for our turn on stage. Photo by Sandra Seaman, 1994

Tearing off the nose and chin did not hurt too much if I soaked the adhesive glue first.  Hiding in the corner of the weight room, I had to change from the ugly Witch to the beautiful Witch in 15 minutes, which included taking off my glued on chin and nose, changing into my gown and re-styling my hair and make-up.  It was my junior year in high school, and I was one of the leads in my school musical, “Into the Woods.”  I had to rush across the gym floor to the stage to say my lines while my acting double performed the ugly Witch on stage. We switched during the magic transformation, when the Witch regained her beauty near the end of the first act.

After the invigorating applause, the other actors and I stood out in the hall way to greet the audience.  A little girl came up to me.

“You were my favorite,” she said.

The Oxford Academy Drama Club presented "Into the Woods," one of my favorite musicals, during my junior year of high school. As the Witch (left), I tormented the Baker, Sam (right) and the Baker's Wife, Erica, (background) during the majority of the show. Photo by Sandra Seaman, 2002

“Into the Woods” is one of my favorite performances that I have participated in. It is also one of my favorite musicals, although the soundtrack shares equal time in my MP3 player with the soundtracks to “Rent,” “Wicked,” “Les Miserables” and other musicals which I listen to while jogging.  My friends do not understand my obsession with musical theater, or why I get excited over symphony orchestra tickets.  All they know is that I glow after seeing live performing arts, and I want everyone to experience the performing arts the way I do.

It started at the age of 5, when I took my first dance lesson.  There was nothing more thrilling than being called into the waiting hall before performing.  During the 14 years that I danced, that scene in the endless, bleak white hall never changed.  The air was hot with sweat; the sequins on my costume were itchy; and the tight bun in my hair had half a bottle of gel slicked through it.  Yet, the annual pink-eye from sharing make-up and the other drawbacks of the dance recitals were worth the 10 minutes on stage with bright lights glaring into my eyes, because there were 200 people looking at me.

And, of course, there were the clichéd piano recitals.  Jealous of my brother’s lessons, I begged my parents to let me learn the piano until I was finally permitted in second grade at the age of 8.  I practiced to the point where my mom had to kick me off the piano so my brother could play. 

Then, when band started in 5th grade, I had a hard time sleeping I was so excited the night before my class was told which instruments we were assigned to play. I started out on the clarinet, but was soon bored and switched to the oboe.  When I realized that I would have at least one solo at every concert, my enthusiasm for music increased even more.  Then marching band started, so naturally I decided to also learn the saxophone.

I took a senior portrait with my oboe, which rarely left my side during high school. Photo by Daniel Sugler from Daniel Photographics, 2002

Concerts and recitals came and went.  I performed in vocal ensembles, symphony orchestras, jazz bands, school and community theaters, and competed for honor ensembles.  Yet, I knew that when I graduated, I would not continue in the performing arts. I did not think I could be the starving artist, living for the stage in an overpriced and under-heated apartment in New York City. 

I decided to go into journalism so I could help educate the public about the performing arts in their area.  As a freshman in college my lofty goal was to change the layout of papers to have the arts section precede the sports sections.  Although I still wish to help promote the performing arts, the medium through which I would like to pursue my goal has changed.

During my first two years at the University of Maryland, I struggled to write stories about fires, crime and population changes.  I wanted to be more involved in my community, rather than just writing about it.  My journalism degree taught me a lot of valuable skills, but it also taught me that I need to be passionate about everything that I do.  That is why my career focus includes educating the general public about the fine and performing arts through public relations or educational programs.

I hope, through the work I do in my career, that one day people will not think I am weird when they find out I exercise to musicals.  And even more, I hope people, young and old, have an appreciation for the performing arts instilled in them by experiencing the excitement of the stage, whether it's running across the floor for their stage entrance or hearing an amazing symphony orchestra concert.