When I was six years old - long before the era of non-traditional casting - my mom took me to see a professional production of "Oliver." At intermission I turned to her and said, “Why are all the orphans boys? I want to play an orphan!” And so it began. I spent my childhood listening to, and memorizing, Broadway cast albums and watching movie musicals. My first role was the lead in the 3rd grade play about tooth decay. I'm pretty sure I got the part because I was the only kid who could be heard at the back of the classroom. Years later I was fortunate to train at Trinity Rep Conservatory with phenomenal acting, directing, voice, movement, and dance teachers.