Q: What was your dream job as a kid?

A: At some point I really wanted to be a lawyer. I wanted to put the bad guys away.  

Q: Who is someone you look up to that you know?

A: There’s a lot of people. A number of teachers that were in my life, especially my drama teacher. She led me down the path to becoming a drama teacher myself. I also think about my own children. I really respect the way they are and who they are becoming. They’re both such kind and compassionate people. 

Q: Who is someone you look up to that you don’t know?

A: Oprah. She’s such a strong and powerful woman with an amazing presence. As a woman, to have her calling the shots on so many things, like acting, directing and producing, it just makes me really think about what she represents for females. I really respect her a lot.

Q: If there was a movie about your life, what would it be called? Why?

A: Maybe The Woman Who Never Sleeps? Or The Crazy Drama Teacher. Teaching drama has just been so much a part of my life. Although I’d want to pick who plays me, and they’d definitely be better looking and younger than me. The role wouldn’t be a stereotypical drama teacher because I’m not like that. 

Q: In your opinion, what’s the most underrated movie?

A: One of my favorites is Beaches. My best friend and I saw it at the movies when I was 15. I always have to grab the tissues though!

Q: If your life had a soundtrack, who would you want to compose it?

A: Maybe John Legend. I like so much of his music. He’s got some cool upbeat songs but also some strong ballads.

Q: What was your biggest fear when you were a kid?

A: Witches and Vampires. I watched some scary movies my parents told me not to. I used to sleep with the blankets all tucked around my neck, and to this day I still can’t watch those kinds of things.  

Q: If you could magically be the best at one thing, what would it be?

A: Probably cooking. I’m ok, I mean I do a decent job, but I’m not one to experiment very much. 

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: “Enjoy life, this is not a dress rehearsal.” That, and “consider your source.” Those stick with me daily. Both those things are things I heard in high school, and have stuck with me. I can have a lot of tunnel vision, but I like to remember to slow down and live life. That’s what the first one means to me. The other was super important to consider as a high school student because people say mean things and those things can get in your head, but you have to think about who’s saying this. Are they really important to you? It doesn’t matter what they say if you don’t value their advice. That’s helped me to navigate the good and the bad in life. 

Q: If you could make a new instrument, what would it sound like, and what would it be called?

A: I like to pretend to beatbox and rap and I can find my way around a snare drum, so I’d probably make a beatbox snare drum, so I could make cool beatbox and rap at the same time. It’d be called a Snap!

Q: What’s an unknown hobby of yours that may surprise people?

A: A lot of things wouldn’t surprise people, like I like to sing and dance but that’s not shocking. I used to paint a lot, I haven’t in a while, but it’s something I enjoyed and I’m pretty good at it. 

Q: If you could live as a different person for a day, would you? If so, who?

A: Yes, I’d be somebody that has a lot of money like Jeff Bezos because then I could fly anywhere I wanted and I’d get the royal treatment for the day.  I could go shopping, or travel, just spend a lot of money. Or maybe I’d be Oprah for the day!

Q: If you could be any animal, which would it be?

A: A lion. It’s my soul animal, and I’m a Leo, so it makes sense for me. They are loyal and protective and that’s who I am. Once you’re in my circle you’re in it for life, and I’ll be that lion that takes care of things and protects you.

Q: What’s a song you would consider to be your theme song?

A: “I’m Every Woman” because it’s one of those songs that makes me feel empowered. I try to lead by example as a strong woman. The song talks about how it comes from within and that’s super important to remember. 

Q: If you could live in any movie, which movie would you choose?

A: It’d have to be a musical. Something with a good romantic plotline. I’d be in Hamilton! I’m a US History buff so it’s the merging of my two favorite things: history and theatre. 

Q: If you could be the host or judge on any show, which show would you choose?

A: I would want to be a judge on either American Idol or America’s Got Talent. I would totally want to be the Simon Cowell of the show and really tell people the truth about how I felt about their performance, probably because you can’t do that in high school theatre.