It all began with Hello Dolly!

While I was attending West Allegheny I was fortunate enough to have the chance to participate in seven musicals, and during the month of March I find myself reflecting upon the time that I spent on the WA stage.

You could say that musicals are not a big deal, but I would answer that statement by saying that if you live in a small town then they are. Flyers are put up around town; a billboard is placed at the entrance to the high school and middle school, and local businesses post ads in the play bills which are also known as programs.

It positively unites the members of the local community, and they show it at the curtain call time when they applaud. In fact, before, during, and after my time as a cast member I have always been motivated to applaud because I know how many months of preparation are required in order to put on a show that may only be performed for an audience six times.

I thought that I would have to wait until I was a high school student in order to be a cast member, and I was completely wrong about that theory because when I was in fifth grade they were looking some eager young performers and since I had just finished up my time with the Pittsburgh Boys Choir when I was in fourth grade I was no stranger to the spotlight.

I had to attend an audition and then wait to hear if they had a part for me or not. So I went to the audition, gave it my best shot, and I was one of the proud few who was selected from the bunch.

Having the chance to perform in front of a crowd was kind of intimidating, but it was also a very exciting time and I remember that the older kids in the cast made the members of the kids cast feel welcome. On that note I have always believed that the arts programs at schools are one of the reasons why creative kids are willing to put up with all the other tedious aspects of school.

The main song from Hello Dolly is actually called "Hello Dolly." One of the ideas that is expressed in the song is that Dolly is supposed to be the center of attention and a good way to be highlighted is when you are using teamwork in order to perform a production of a show that can help theater goers to forget about the outside world for a little while.

However, everyone who finds a place on the stage also has to find their place in the world and that is why I have maintained a respect for the arts even after my time performing in high school musicals. My love for the arts is what inspired me to attend Point Park University.

I was a member of the Point Park University Singers while I was there, I went to see shows that were being performed by Point Park Students at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, I sang karaoke there, and last but not least when I graduated in the fall of 2010 I was the proud recipient of a BA Degree in the field of Communications with a focus on Broadcasting.

Aside from that, I used my current job as a ramp agent in order to allow myself the chance to travel to New York City and watch the wonderful rockettes perform in their Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. It all began with Hello Dolly, and that is why I hold a special place in my heart for Hello Dolly and why I will always support the arts.