"When
I was 2 years old, I wanted to be a lion. I would roar at the lions
when we went to the zoo (I’m sure they loved that), I would read and
re-read my Zoobooks issue all about African cats, I’d play with my lion
figurines, developing stories that I can only compare to
Young & the Restless: Simba Edition.
"I did all of this, not only because I was a weird kid, but because I watched Disney’s
The Lion King.
I saw it in theatres… nine times. I listened to the soundtrack
constantly and knew that my calling in life was to become a true,
African wild cat.
"As I grew up, I realized my dream could never be a reality. I could never turn into a lion a la
Animorphs and sing Elton John songs as I slept on a giant kopje with my lion friends.
"Or so I thought.
"When
I entered pre-school, I was well over my desire to actually become a
lion, but I quickly fell into pretend games with other children. We
played
Sailor Moon (I was always Sailor Jupiter, thankyouverymuch),
Aladdin (I settled for the role of Rajah- not quite a lion, but close enough),
Thumbelina (titular role, duh), or our own adventure games on the playground. My imagination ran wild.
"Our pre-school put on the show
Peter Pan.
I remember being pulled aside after school and offered the role of
Wendy. Being the brat that I am, I accepted but told my mom I really
wanted to play Tinkerbell. She talked some sense into me and I grew more
and more excited. We probably only rehearsed a few days, but it felt
like a month-long rehearsal process with clear actions, beats,
scene-work, relationships, drama, complete with a show-crush on our
Peter Pan.
"The performance was, in my memory, the most magical
thing in the world. I felt so happy to be performing in front of my
family and peers, and so proud when all of my scenes were well-received.
I remember 'walking the plank' before Peter saved me, and thinking to
myself, 'I LOVE this.' Afterwards, I received praise and hugs, and I
felt like a giant, glowing ball of happiness in a blue nightgown
costume. From lions to playground to
Peter Pan, I found what I
wanted to do. My brother had his sports, and I had theatre. And it would
be a giant part of my life from that moment and for the next 22+ years.
"Theatre
gave me purpose. It gave me empathy. It helped me form bonds and
friendships from pre-school to adulthood. It helped me find my way to my
home, Chicago. It gave me hope when I was lost in my late teens and
early twenties. It helped me find a partner. It helped me find my place.
Without theatre, I would be lost. With it, I can be anything, even a
lion."
