The Actor

      From the time I was in kindergarten, I knew I wanted to perform. Back then, it was singing. Time passed, and I kind of forgot about it, until I auditioned for my first musical in 6th grade. After that, my eyes were set on Broadway. Musical Theater was surely it. Then, Junior year of high school, just when I am sure I have it all figured out, I see The Crucible. The movie with Daniel Day-Lewis.

      Turns out, I didn't have it all figured out. From then on, acting has been my passion. Looking back, it makes sense. I mean, I always obsessed over actors and watched and re-watched (like a million times) movies so that I can see an actor again. I have always studied the actor in films and was so intrigued and always wanted to re-create it. I guess I never thought of acting as its own thing. Until I set out for the Acting track.

      Movies to me have the huge potential to be such beautiful masterpieces. And some are able to do that. From low-budget indie films, to Hollywood commercial films, all have the capability of being life changing.

      If you know me at all, you know I am a huge movie fan. Each conversation I start with someone seems to be "Have you seen (insert movie here) yet?" I just love them! And being in a Theater Department, a lot of the professors don't like film or television because the truest form is theater, in their eyes. And yes, there are plenty of films and TV shows that are, well, useless and meaningless. But there are other movies that just take this audience on a huge adventure and, by the end, a person's life is changed for the better. Or a television series that puts things in just the right way that we can't help but follow this so intriguing story.

      It's storytelling. When I can escape from my world and be thrown in the world of another human being and want to take this journey with them, it's an intense relationship.

      I want to be a part of that storytelling. Time will tell where my path leads, but I will always make room to fulfill my passion.


Woo!
Mary Taylor

 

 

 

My current acting crush, Jack O'Connell of Unbroken

Guiding for Passions

      I don't actually stress out in the normal sense (whatever that is). I don't really think about what's due until about an hour (or two) before it's due. No need to get stressed. It'll get done and it'll be great. What I do stress about is what I want to do.

      From the time I was in Kindergarten, everyone wants to know what we want to do next. What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you want to go to college? Where? What's your major? Oh, what will you do with that? Not that those questions are bad. I'm not a big fan of when people tell me questions are invalid and stupid and annoying, so know that that is not what I'm saying here. I'm just saying it has me constantly thinking about the answers.

      But I don't have them.

      Will I stay in a field like my major? An actor? Will I go to grad school? When? Where? Will I stay in an acting program there? Will I pursue music a little more? Will I go after that history degree? What about seminary? Will I do standup? Comedy? SNL? But what about the city...? Will I do something with kids? Will I teach? What's going to happen with me?

      Until recently, I thought that, for some reason, those questions needed to be answered pronto. But, actually, they don't.

      I was going through our make-shift Barnes and Noble here on campus in the religion section and there was a book that said on the cover (something like) God will lead you. As in, no matter your dreams and wants and needs, God knows.

      Personally, until pretty recently, this whole "God will bring you through it" thing sounded super cheesy and weird. Like, yeah, I believe, but let's make it even more cheesy. Jeez.   But then I started to understand what it meant.

      All of the adults I know, like actual adults that have been doing it for a while, have this huge, interesting journey. My dad is in love with cars and knows everything there is to know about them. My mom has been doing art since she was a kid and babysat just as a teenager, and now has made a career out of both. My professors here talk all the time about the moment they knew something switched for them. As in something brought them to where they are now. And is bringing them through other things they do.

      Pretty significant.

      As in we're not done developing. By the end, I get that God is actually moving us through the path. Whatever happens, even the unexpected, He lights the path for us. He guides us through it. And we, ultimately, are where we are meant to be. Until we want to go further. And it's exciting. And awesome.

      What I'm learning that, first of all, I have time. And second of all, as long as I keep the vigor I need for life and keep an open mind, God will bring me through it. He will light the path I need to take. I believe. I have faith. I'll find my path. And I'll keep developing. Thanks to God.

I know I've posted this picture before, but Lupita Nyang'o is an amazing human who really puts the inspiration back in acting for me.