Out of the Spotlight by Tilden

Out of the Spotlight by Tilden - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

I’ve spent most of my life performing on stage- dancing, singing, and acting. I started dancing at age 2 in a tap class, and 15 years later, I’m still dancing. I sang in numerous choirs- general, a cappella, and gospel. At age 6, I was cast in A Christmas Carol at Hartford Stage, performing in 25 shows a season, and continued performing there for 6 years. While I was there, I noticed a group of people dressed in black who never went on stage, and I was fascinated. As I got older, I gained a new appreciation for those crew members because they never got any of the spotlight but did so much work to put the show on. I am passionate about the performing arts and have been involved in dance, theater, and choirs throughout my schooling, but for a career, I knew I wanted to do something off-stage.

In 9th grade, I started doing technical theater. Despite my triple threat on stage, I’m interested in the management and production side- double majoring in stage management and theater production and design. I love the performing arts and have gained an appreciation for all the moving parts that come together to make one piece- in a musical, dance, concert, or play. During my high school Guys and Dolls production, I spent up to 10 hours a day on weekends working to make it the best. My passion for creating theater is unmatched by other students, putting 100% of my effort into every show. My parents always say to find a job I will love so it doesn’t feel like work and the theater is where I am happiest.

After I finish my college education, I plan to work in the theater industry, but I’m not sure exactly where I will land. Working on tech for Broadway shows or the stage manager of a traveling concert or show. Or I might be managing an entire theater someday. Whatever I do, I know I will be happy and successful. I want to be a part of bringing live theater and entertainment to our community.

Most vibrant cities are successful because of their arts and culture. If I could do one thing for my community, it would be to make the arts available to more people. Theater and the arts open people up to a broader world and make connections around the world to hopefully bring people together. They get people to think, put themselves in other shoes, bring them to another part of the world, and open their eyes. The performing arts have the potential to do so much good in the world.

While there are many scholarships for performers, there are not many for those behind the scenes yet these roles are just as critical. As a future leader in the arts, I will take my passion for performing to help other performers look and sound their best. Perhaps even returning to Hartford Stage where it all began.