In 2010, I walked into my first Summer Stock Austin rehearsal, freshly cast as Charity in Sweet Charity—wide-eyed, slightly over-caffeinated, and very unsure of what to expect. That summer was electric. The pace was fast, the expectations were high, and somehow, the energy in the room never felt overwhelming - it felt exhilarating. We were all just a bunch of theater kids, sweating through dance rehearsals and running lines in stairwells, trying to make something beautiful together. And we did. Fast forward a few years, I was given the opportunity to join the production team as a choreographer (and just so happened to stay for the next 9 years). I was so lucky to be mentored by the wonderful Ginger Morris and Allen Robertson, who taught me how to dig deep into stories and how to lead with clarity and compassion (and snacks; Ginger ALWAYS has snacks). This year, I’m so grateful and honored to be returning as a Guest Artist with Jesus Christ Superstar. I had one of those surreal full-circle moments where you walk into a room and see past, present, and future versions of yourself in every corner. The high schooler figuring it out. The artist taking bold swings. The leader mentoring the next generation. All of it, still very much alive and connected by this wild, wonderful program. If you’re thinking about supporting SSA, you should know: you're not just helping fund shows. You're helping a young person discover their voice, their people, and the kind of magic that stays with you for a lifetime. You’re helping shape thoughtful, hardworking, big-hearted people who will carry what they learn here out into the world. And that kind of ripple effect? That’s something truly worth supporting.