My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been interested in theater ever since I was a little girl, but when I first started out, I got discouraged because most of the productions I was involved in (with other companies) required me to do things that contradicted my values. But when I was fourteen, I auditioned for allforOne Productions' Character Counts program – and the rest is history! They cast me in a major role, and helped me develop my acting ability. A couple years later, they promoted me to the position of Director's assistant; at first I wasn't sure if I liked that idea, because I thought that acting was the only element of theater I would ever be involved in...not! Working side by side with a professional director opened up a whole new world to me. But the most incredible experience I've had with allforOne has been the Young Playwrights Festival (YPF). I've loved writing since middle school, but I had never shared my work with anyone before. I decided to enter a play my senior year, thinking that I wouldn't win but it would be a good idea just to try. To my astonishment, my play won first place in the 10-12 grade division! You can imagine the confidence boost that gave me; and ever since then, I have been using my writing skills more and more! Each May, the winning plays are staged by local professionals. There, I was able to see my own work come alive, and it was unbelievably encouraging and exciting to me - I would recommend YPF to any young writer, because it lets you visualize your own imagination and see how it plays out on stage. During YPF, I was also invited to direct the K-2 division winning play. I had never actually directed anything by myself, so I was really nervous. But it turned out so well that now I hope to direct many other shows in the future, because I discovered that I really enjoy it! allforOne, and the Young Playwrights Festival in particular, has really been the jumping-off point for me as an actor, writer, and director. Sharon Henderson and Lauren Nichols are my mentors, and they've helped me develop and pursue the talents, abilities, and dreams that God has given me. But most importantly, they share my values and my faith in Christ. I know that although working with allforOne will most certainly challenge me to achieve new levels in my personal theater journey, I will never be forced to do anything that goes against what I believe. I am deeply grateful and blessed to be a part of this professional, God-centered company.

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