ActionAIDS

My freshman year, I sat in my script analysis class and read Angels in America. Little did I know that it was a work of LGBT advancement. Written by Tony Kushner, this work propelled me to get outside the comfort of Broad Street. I spent my whole freshman year in the UArts bubble, not exploring the city, not really meeting anyone but the people I was in class with. After reading this play, I knew that I needed to take action. I googled the word volunteering in Philly and after digging through some stuff I came across ActionAIDS. Part of ActionAIDS has a buddy program. With this, they provide emotional support for someone dealing with HIV/AIDS. So, after a very thorough training, I became a buddy in the program and was assigned my first client. I really did not know what I was getting myself into. I was 18/19 years old at the time and just wanted to help in any way I could. I got the most miraculous man; super cool, super chill. He gave me hope to preserver and continue on seeing the beauty of life. I would visit him regularly at home where we would either watch a movie, hang with his cats, sometimes meet for lunch at Reading Terminal market, whatever the encounter desired. We would spend hours on the phone talking to each other about what was going on in his life. It was such a rewarding experience to not only work with him as a client, but to gain a friend. After three years of really getting to know a person, I got to see him grow both emotionally and physically and continue living with what once was a death sentence. The team at ActionAIDS gave me a community, a somewhat family, and a place where I could directly help out those in need. They are so supportive with their amazing services that offer people with HIV/AIDS and I would not have changed it for the world. 

Student Leadership Awards

Through this past year, I have put in many sleepless nights and spent many hours thinking about how my last year at The University of the Arts and last year living in Philadelphia can be successful. How can I give back to the community that has given so much to me? Honestly, I never felt grounded in Philly. I always felt like there were cities that just fit me better as an artist. But instead of dwelling upon that and complaining, I decided to question what were the things that I did not favor of the city. What is it that I would to better the city if I had the chance? That is when I learned the lesson of if you want change to happen, it starts with you. Therefore, I began to organize the first-ever collegiate meet and greet for the Philadelphia area. This took months of planning and braining storming and thinking of ways of making what could be a dull gathering successful and allow people of great minds, some artistically prone versus some ivy league prone, to work together to form a bond, establish connections, and eventually create a plan to make this city better. We had about 75 people in attendance, most of whom I have never met. There were ten school of the surrounding area represented!

We decided that the William Way LGBTQIA Center was a great place to partner with not only for its location right off the Avenue of the Arts downtown, but also because it is the center of the community, it is some people’s home away from home. Most of these people have never walked into the center’s doors in the lives. Not only did we get the president of university to speak (a million thank-yous to the ever supportive Sean Buffington), but we had representatives from various LBGT organizations around the area. We showcased our school by a dance showcase and a musical piece of  “I Am What I Am.” With the help of the office of student life, we were able to have a fun and engaging event that turned out to win the student event of the year at the Student Leadership Awards!

I'm From Driftwood

This past weekend I had the honor of volunteering with I'm From Driftwood. This is a nation-wide organization that produces videos of the LGBTQIA experience in this country, funded in part by the Smithsonian, and represents all walks of life. Here are a couple pictures from the first ever Philly brunch at the new John C. Anderson apartments:

Our duo-We raised $800 with raffle tickets by schmoozing up to people!

A photograph during the event! It was packed by the end!

VISION

I’m From Driftwood envisions a world where every lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer person feels understood and accepted, and every straight person is an ally.

MISSION
I’m From Driftwood aims to help LGBTQ people learn more about their community, straight people learn more about their neighbors and everyone learn more about themselves through the power of storytelling and story sharing.

Increasing empathy and empowering individuals is accomplished by creating an apolitical forum for LGBTQ stories from every age, race, gender, background and culture. The stories deepen our understanding of each other, preserve history, and open hearts and minds.

VALUES
The most personal and meaningful stories are shared when the storyteller is in a trust-worthy, welcoming, judgment-free environment. I’m From Driftwood strives to create that environment on every level, whether you’re a long-time supporter at one of IFD’s events or a first-time visitor to the site. Be yourself, be comfortable and let’s get to know each other.

I really suggest watching this video about what I'm From Driftwood is about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHdKPa6Ue30

I have talked to Nathan Manske, the Co-Founder and Executive Producer, about staying involved as I travel for the next year and he said that would be wonderful. This is an organization that does exactly what I want to do with the LGBT movement. I think it is very important not to stay hidden in the urban centers of gayborhoods and liberal values. I think it is important to assist the gay guys in rural areas that have no way out and feel isolated and trapped. I am proud of the gay movement and I think it is time to reach it out on a nation wide level!

Thank You to UArts

One day I was sitting in my Script Analysis class at UArts trying to complete my reading assignment for the week. We had to read Angels in America by Tony Kushner, and while I knew it was going to be a wonderful play, it was the week before finals and I was tired of school and working so hard. But since we had a quiz, I read the play. This play changed life. It refreshed me on why I have been working so hard for my degree. The climax of the show is when the lead character says that gay people but band together and create the change in society they wish to see. Three years later, I still follow that statement. I am continuous inspired by the work they assign us in class and I think if UArts has taught me one thing, it is to create the artist by finding your authentic self and what will really drive you for the rest of your life. This is very important with Musical Theater because the entertainment/commercial market can get very superficial and appeal to what other people want from you. You try and appeal to different artists to hire you and so with that comes changing a little bit of who you truly are. So, our business of theater class makes it very important to determine your needs versus wants, your values versus goals, and makes it very clear about why you do this, what you want in life, and how you can achieve this. So much of this industry is chance and you really have to take one day or one contract at a time so I have so much to thank UArts for for making me such a grounded artist inspired to create new work. 

Missoula Children's Theater

I am so happy to announce that I booked a 12-month theater tour directly out of college. I am so happy to announce that I booked a 12-month theater tour directly out of college! This is extremely rare for an actor or artist to go straight to a job but a week after graduation, I will head to Montana for a 10 day intensive training before I ship off for the next year. I did not plan on teaching children's theater ever but when I heard them talk about their mission, I got so inspired and realized that it is exactly what I want to be doing right now. Their mission is as follows:

"We live in a highly competitive era. Youngsters are introduced at an early age to the critical realities of our achievement- and success-oriented society. From academics to athletics to social interaction, children are pressured to get the best grades, to score the most points, to have the most friends. At the same time, segments of our society tend to view the arts as a luxury, a frill, an extra-curricular activity running a distant second to the popular status of sports. Add to these conditions the natural curiosity of the child, the tendency toward self-exploration, the adolescent impatience to put away the things of the child and emulate adult role models—for better or for worse. Pressure. MCT approaches children with a full awareness of these conditions and strives to use participation in the performing arts as a vehicle to develop the life skills (social skills, communication skills, self-discipline, a strong work ethic, an understanding of the team concept and self-esteem) necessary to answer the challenges of our time.

Although MCT's programs tour to major metropolitan centers, MCT remains dedicated to providing financially accessible arts experiences to all communities, regardless of size or economic status. Many of the communities served by MCT are isolated, culturally deprived and/or economically depressed. Live theatre participation, qualified drama teachers and educationally sound music programs within the curriculum are often non-existent or low on the priority scale. Constructive opportunities in the performing arts are rare, and the chance to spark a new interest often goes unkindled. MCT's programs can and do provide the kindling to ignite the flame of interest.

Within each MCT cast, girls and boys are equal; the disabled become able; the shy experiment with bravery; the slow are rehearsed to perfection; and the gifted become part of the whole. The lesson they learn is that all of them are necessary for the show to go on. Few arenas exist where responsibility is taught and learned so clearly. MCT provides a unique opportunity to learn the lessons of group dynamics while excelling as an individual—a lesson from art that carries into life."

I was so inspired by the thought of teaching the next generation that I knew that the way to change society is through children while their minds are still in development. I have been having a love/hate relationship with theater and how we reach the 99% of people who aren't in these liberal places and so this could not have come in a more amazing time in my development as an artist. 

If you are interested in watching a video about what it is all about click the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqt8WCU3LXw&feature=youtu.be