My family can trace back my passion for the stage back to when I was two years old. I had wandered off at a church Christmas party in downtown Rochester, NY and found myself in the middle of a dance competition. Apparently, my skills were charming enough to win my family a 10 pound bag of rice, thus starting off my theatrical journey. (Not to mention already starting to literally put food on the table with my performance skills, like a little Baby June.)

I have had the wonderful opportunity to study with the staff at School Of The Arts under the wing of Lorie Dewey, Luke Fellows, and Leslie Diamond. From there, I attended and graduated from Penfield High School (Class of 2012), where I really sharpened my acting skills with Regina Bond-Darling, obtained the bulk of my music education with the incomparable Diane Abrahamian, and worked tirelessly with Michelle Buschner on my dance technique. It was at this time when I really refined my work ethic and my ability to challenge myself, both as a performer and as an individual. 

After graduating, I decided to push myself once again by moving to New York City to work as an intern for Grayce Productions, working on a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, called A New York Carol starring Austin Pendleton. I got to work very closely with the producer, eventually becoming an executive assistant on the project and stayed with the production for 3 years. This experience was imperative to my understanding of what exactly goes into producing an indie project. From fundraising to video editing, from website design to social media engagement, it was here that I acquired many of the adaptive skills that were absolutely essential to my becoming a versatile theatre professional.

Along my New York journey, I had also been awarded the opportunity to act in a touring show with New York City Children’s Theatre. Not only was I able to perform for hundreds of kids, participate in multiple workshops, and work alongside wonderful actors and directors, but I was given the chance to further expand my knowledge of sound design and assistant stage managing, thus adding another tool to my arsenal.

I owe so much of my success, adaptability and proficiency to my time in New York. From working merchandise in Broadway houses to working at Rosie O’Donnell’s non-profit organization, Rosie’s Theatre Kids, I have had the unique opportunity to both hone my performance skills while becoming a jack of all trades behind the scenes.

Since then, I have returned to my Rochester roots. I am currently taking all of my acquired knowledge and drive and applying it to the local theater community.  I continue to work simultaneously as both an actor and as part of the production staff for multiple local theater companies. I have been so lucky to go from performing my dream role Hedwig in Hedwig & The Angry Inch to sold-out houses during the 2018 Rochester Fringe Festival, to creating my own company Hequity Studios, allowing me to also become an advocate for fostering a culture of accountability, diversity, and support to marginalized people through theatre. I have been very fortunate to learn from community leaders who continue to humble me with their expertise in doing “the work” that revolutionizes the entertainment industry and uplifts marginalized voices. Thanks to the grace and support from my community, I continue to transition from performer to creative staff and I am beyond grateful for the wonderful experiences that have allowed me to flex all of my skills while I continue to acquire new expertise with every project.

I am very proud of my accomplishments both as an actor and as a collaborative production member. My passion and my adaptability allows me to maintain my creative integrity and showcase my talent. I am very excited to continue my theatrical journey and look forward to the many opportunities to come where I can share my passion for the arts with audiences everywhere and in every way I can.

“The word diva to me means doing something supernatural with something natural.”

-Patti LuPone