New Jersey Stage November 2014 | Page 54

You’re from Middlesex Township – tell me about growing up there and when you realized you wanted to be a performer. Indeed I am! Middlesex Blue Jays all the way! Growing up, I actually was quite the athlete, playing soccer, basketball, and softball - my bedroom at home still has the trophies! But I always secretly loved musicals. I used to put on impromptu living room performances, twirling and mimicking tap noises to old records, which encouraged my mom to shuffle me right off to tap class. One of the very first studios I danced at is in my hometown and I believe still going strong: Chez Renee! Two memorable experiences that led to my crossover into the arts included getting to go backstage at the Paper Mill Playhouse after seeing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Wizard of Oz. Also, performing in my first musical, which also happened to be Joseph., at a Central Jersey community theater. I told everyone in the 4th grade that I was on Broadway. Hahaha! I truly thought I was! I later did shows at Watch the Sister Act Sizzle Reel New Jersey Stage November 2014 pg 54