ringing in the new

well, that’s a wrap on 2023!

i can’t say that i’m not a little bit relieved: 2023 was a YEAR, one that reminded me that being alive is both a blessing and also really, really hard. but above all else, i’m grateful for the lessons this year taught me and the love i was surrounded by through it all.

let’s go through the highlights, shall we?

from january-march, i rehearsed and performed in my final production at SMU as Dora in Brandon Jacob Jenkins’ An Octoroon. it was an incredible learning experience and reminded me just how much i LOVE comedy.

rhett goldman, angèla ramas, and me in *an octoroon*, dir. kara-lynn vaeni

i then went on to direct a workshop and staged reading of my play, then titled “girls just wanna commit domestic terrorism,” sponsored by SMU student theatre (ily SMUST!). through that process, i learned a lot about playwrighting and directing- two things i was pretty scared of.

then in may, after 4 years of school, 1 gap year, 151 credit hours, and countless hours of rehearsal and homework and tears and laughter, i graduated with my BFA in theatre! i was officially the first person in my immediate family to graduate with an art degree, which felt like pretty big deal to me. i’m so grateful to have a family that is supportive of my dreams, and proud of myself for having the vision and work ethic to start making those dreams a reality. and i graduated with my best friends— i am SO proud of them too!

over the summer, i played Emmy Helmer in a production of A Doll’s House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath, directed by matt cosper (incredible friend and mentor) and produced by Charlotte Conservatory Theatre (incredible local theatre company in my NC hometown)! my first professional acting experience was a fantastic one— it was really strange to be the youngest actor in the room after years of college theatre, but i built fantastic relationships with my fellow cast members and learned a lot about what my career might look like! i was nominated for a metrolina theater award for best supporting actress in a play for my performance, and was THRILLED to lose the award to my castmate gina, who played anne-marie and blew me away nightly. no one deserved it more. you can check out how the show was received in this review from queen city nerve!

my beautiful castmates: gina stewart, shawn halliday, and kellee stall!

the play ran from august 2-13, but we recently did 2 encore performances on november 29 and december 1 at hands-down the most beautiful theatre i’ve ever seen: the cain center for the arts in cornelius, NC. just look at this view!

the cain center in all her glory (can you spot matt?)

in october, i started working full time as a writer, producer, and instructional designer at edtech startup Breakout Learning. we combine traditional storytelling with AI technology to create engaging learning experiences for higher education— it’s a job i never saw myself pursuing, but when the opportunity arose i jumped at the chance to flex both my creative and analytical skills! the work is demanding and fulfilling and i'm honestly really excited about the future of the company. check out the website to learn more about the product: i have a feeling we’re going to make waves.

and finally, in december of this year, i collaborated with my incredible mentor matt cosper and his theatre company XOXO to do another workshop and staged reading of my play, now titled “shotgun”! the workshop process felt SO different with matt as director and an incredible room of brand-new actors providing their insights, and the play changed a TON over the course of the week-long process. i was thrilled with the state of the play by the time we performed the reading, and it was fantastic to have family and friends be able to give feedback on my work. it’s by no means a finished play, but i’m really excited to see what’s next for it.

nilaja williams, margeaux scholz, chloe shade, and lauren mcdowell in *shotgun*

speaking of what’s next: let’s chat about 2024! i plan on moving to new york city this spring with my best friend margeaux to act and write and produce and do whatever i can to be involved in theatre up there. my tech job is fully remote, so i can continue work from the city, and my boss is a former actor, so he completely understands my need for flexibility. it’s SO ideal and i’m SO grateful.

what will happen when i get to new york? who knows! all i know is that i have so many amazing friends up there, working and creating and living in community, and i know that i want to be a part of it (new york, new yoooork)!

so hey, wish me luck! and here’s to an amazing 2024 :)

LS

i wrote a play!!!!