Get to know yourself. As deeply as you possibly can. And start early. Get a therapist. Work through your stuff. Your primary relationship is with yourself. Being an artist is a long game, especially if you don’t have a ton of resources like money. It’s so important to know how you like to work when you need to rest, and what type of environment you want to work in.

Like many of us, my time with this show far precedes our first rehearsal. I hope for every theatre artist to be as inspired by anything like the PBS stage broadcast of Into the Woodsstunned 10-year-old me. I’m happily sharing that sentiment with so many.

It's been such an amazing experience! I'm still in shock that I've been given the opportunity to be a part of this production. I still haven't found the words to express how happy I am to be a part of this cast. Rehearsals have been a dream.

It’s fine to know what you want to do but there’s always more than just one way to get there. Try not to compare your journey to others and most importantly, know that at the end of the day, there’s nobody who can do you better than you can.

I have had the privilege of directing, and sharing the stage with these talented young artists in the past year or so and I am so honored to share them with you. I promise you when I say that these five young performers are the future and you heard it hear first.

Being in this business is already hard as it is, having a group of friends and colleagues who will support you through your bad days and celebrate your good days is so vital. Even more so as an immigrant performer. And don't forget to spread joy and offer support to others too! Relationships are a two-way street and kindness is essential.

My time with RENT has been amazing, this cast is hugely talented and completely committed to telling this story. There are moments I have to take a step back and realize that I am a part of something great. It all goes by so quickly so sometimes I just stop and breathe it in.

Never stop dreaming. Never stop putting in the work, no matter how hard it gets. Always take a class. Always take lessons. Do something every day to help yourself reach your goal, even if it is just belting out a show tune in the shower. Surround yourself with like-minded people who want you to succeed.

Advice to young people... Don't be so hard on yourself. That hamster wheel in your mind ain't worth it. The likes & numbers on your social media are not important. What's important is that you continue to look out for yourself and find the artist within. At the end of the day, we all leave at some point... Why waste your beautiful concentration on the things that don't matter. Dream and make them come true.

If you ever are doing a show where you walk off the stage at night and you don't feel more satisfied, fulfilled, or purposeful than when you stepped onto the stage, it's time to leave that show. There are plenty of days when I don't have what I think is needed to do my job, and I don't want to go on stage. But I almost never leave the stage feeling worse off for having done the job. When I feel worse off, the job is no longer worth its rewards.

We try not to give in to the mentality of "the show must go on" and, instead, encourage each other to listen to our physical and mental health first and foremost when assessing if we can go on for a certain performance. Because of this, the standbys have been on a lot and it's been amazing to watch the company come together to support each other in this way night after night.

You have to remember that you are your own amazing/ rockstar/bad** self and when it is your time, you'll know. Also, your worth is never defined by a callback, what people say about you, or a ‘yes/no’. Protect your heart and your mind because your well-being and your spirit are what will open doors for you.

Honestly, if you can have a career in anything else you should do that. There is being an artist and then there is the career of being an artist. It’s just challenging emotionally, physically, and financially.If you are like me and you absolutely have to do it, it is the highest of the high and the lowest of the low so you have to navigate those ups and downs and constantly seek healthy ways to bridge that gap. It’s a life’s work and one I am deeply grateful for.

​Be authentically you! You can't please everyone (a self-journey I'm still on), but the people who like you, are going to LOVE you and be on your team!

Most actors have little control over the roles they ultimately get to perform on stage, so chase the work that inspires you and the people you want to work with. At the end of the day, this is a job and your value as a member of society is not dictated by what is on your resume.

Take breaks. Time to breathe is not time away from moving forward. If anything, taking a step back only enriches and deepens your perspective on your work, your life, and your artistry.

“My biggest word of advice to any young aspiring artist would be to remember that your worth is not measured by the number of callbacks you receive or jobs that you book.”

It’s ok to be ok with presenting what makes you feel free and bring you joy. Always remind yourself, there's only one you so, SHINE!

“We realized pretty quickly children are like adults. They’re there to have fun, and we just provide them with the avenue for that.”

“I would say to put yourself in class, always be studying, and always be learning.”