I started performing with Baytown Little Theater in 2010—just a small speaking part in “My Fair Lady,” which was a show that I loved and knew all of the music to. It was the theater’s second performance at the Baytown Lee College Performing Arts Center, and it was magical. … [Theater] is my way to unwind and do something way out of the norm of my everyday job.
I knew that “My Fair Lady” was a show that they were going to be performing, [so] I reached out to a friend just to ask some questions. He told me, ‘Just come out, you’ll love it. Just come out and audition.’ I was a little skeptical … [I wasn’t] real comfortable singing and dancing in front of people. … He just kind of threw me in the deep end, and I love it.
The effect that you create for the audience [is part of what draws me to performing.] Having that confidence boost and being able to go out on stage and be in front of sometimes hundreds of people, even if you mess up, you just have to keep going. It really does help me in my career too, just to help others step out of their comfort zones.
I stayed involved [with the theater] because I saw the importance that [it] brought to our community. … I’ve seen it help others work through difficult times in their lives. … It’s near and dear to my heart. I want to see it continue to succeed, so I’ve stayed as involved as I can.