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A Year Out of College: Lessons learned



One year.


One year out of school. One year away from New York.


One full year of Adulthood.


Where do I begin?


It has gone by too fast. It has been an adventure, and it is just the beginning.


I have been in three full fantastic productions, a living room concert, a staged reading and have made it through countless callbacks and auditions. I have made lifelong friends and found a supportive church family. I have found a home in Dallas. This city has surprised me in so many ways. It is more metropolitan than it is given credit for. It has a thriving community of theatre and actors that impress me more everyday. It has jobs for actors of all stages of life. Some more experienced than others. It's perfect to become more experienced and learn from amazing directors in this business.


But it hasn't been easy all the time.


I've moved on from a city that I truly loved and still hope someday to go back to. I moved on from friendships that were toxic, which was the hardest thing to do but the right choice in the end. I was lonely trying to find new friends in a new place that is very close knit. I didn't get shows that I was passionate about. But probably the scariest thing about all of this is that I am a completely different person than I was since graduation. I'm getting used to this new person and this new life I am creating for myself.


To the graduating seniors on your first year of adulthood,


Find things that bring you joy that do not revolve around work or theatre. While we love these things, it can bring frustration. Paint, cook or pick up a sport. Find things that will make you look forward to the day when you're in between shows. You will find yourself a more well rounded person in the end.


When someone invites you to a social event, go. Don't stay home alone. Isolation isn't fun and you need to get out of your shell. I get that sometimes you need a lazy day but really do not sacrifice friendships and connections by saying "I don't feel like it." That's ridiculous. You never know who you are going to meet when you go. You may meet a lifelong friend.


Go for every opportunity thrown at you. What are you waiting for? You have one life to live and now is the chance to go for it. Believe in your abilities and believe in yourself.


Live for happiness. If you have any doubt of something stressing you out, draining you, making you miserable, then maybe rethink about doing it.


Above all be patient. Things will not happen immediately. Not everyone goes to Broadway after college and you really do have to work hard to get where you want to be. The best wine takes the most time, so that probably works with your career, right? I made that up so I hope that makes sense.


Let's see what happens in Year 2! I have a feeling it's going to be a good one.



















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