Summer came and went. I had the pleasure of working an internship at La Jolla Playhouse in Development and Fundraising. I apologize for not writing anything since February, but life happens and I took a hiatus from my career and chose to just live.

The biggest thing I learned this summer:

Sometimes not everything you do has to be to a resume builder.

I'll write later on that.

Just because you can't see how the new show starts, doesn't mean it won't be good.

As I enter my senior year, it seems more and more evident that the end is approaching. The end of a career at a school, the end of some close friendships, the end of safe opportunities, the end of homework, test, pop quizzes, and, of course, the end of living in dorm rooms and eating ramen (which I really don't do, but still). As I'm sure many seniors will admit: the end is terrifying. Especially in theatre.

I could go on about how terrifying a life in the theatre is, but everyone writes that. Instead I'll introduce a thematic change: The Finale is becoming the Prologue.

As some things end, new things begin. Though I may be ending a time at my university's theatre, I'm beginning my time in South Florida theatre; though I may never have an essay due again (thank the Lord), I have tests in life that will surely pop up; and though I may be ending some friendships, I will be beginning new relationships with people all over. Countless doors are starting to be unlocked as the final year commences. The challenge is not how to end with a standing ovation, but how to begin the show with a strong start.

I am up for the challenge.

I intend to treat my senior year much like the time in the dressing room before "places" is called. It's in those ten minutes before you hear the stage manager that you run over challenging lines, make sure your voice is warm, your body is stretched and ready to go, and your mind is focused on the task at hand. It's the same with this Finale. You utilize every last opportunity offered, every position you have to help others and help yourself, every tap class, voice lesson, life lesson from a teacher, etc. And you can't relish on that "it's the last", because you end up wasting time on the sad parts, rather than looking forward to the new show that's about to begin.

These last two weeks have been a whirl-wind. As will the rest of my senior year. I wouldn't trade it for anything. To me, I can look back on the past three years and say "yes, I've played my part to the fullest, now it's time to move onto a new play and a new character".

Here goes nothing.

The Finale is the Prologue