I still remember the day I was cast in my first play at the age of 9. Instead of taking the bus home from school as usual, my mom came to pick me up, surprising me with the news.

Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, my parents had season tickets for my family at the nationally-renowned Children’s Theatre Company. After being enchanted by their productions for years, my parents one day asked if I wanted to audition. I figured, “why not?”

It took three tries, but I was finally cast in an adaptation of one of Tomie dePaola’s beloved Strega Nona stories. Four other productions would follow there over the years, as well as immersion in the company’s many acting, dance and voice classes. I branched out, appearing in two productions at the world-class Guthrie Theater, delighting in being brutally murdered onstage night after night in Macbeth.

I entered the enriching theater program at my high school where I was fortunate enough to be involved in 14 productions over my tenure, mostly acting, but also directing and writing. When it came time to go to college, I knew I wanted a B.F.A. Acting program. I found that at Ithaca College, where I was first attracted by their immersive study abroad program in London.

Following college, I made the decision to move to New York City. I knew my hometown had a highly reputable theater scene, but I figured I was young and ought to give New York a shot while I could. I’ve been there to this day, delving into the independent theater scene while also performing in neighboring Long Island and New Jersey.

I’m still attracted to the regional theater of my roots, am currently invigorated by the multitude of offerings in the Off & Off-Off-Broadway scene, and of course wouldn’t turn down the chance to appear on Broadway. But no matter what stage I’m on, I’m always still filled with that wonder of a little boy cast in his first play.