Why I Quit Musical Theater

When I announced two years ago that I was leaving musical theater, a lot of people were shocked - including myself!

For over twelve years I was identified as a "theater kid"- the girl who was going to go to Broadway, win an Oscar, become famous, remember to thank this teacher or that teacher when accepting an award.

And when I graduated high school and packed my bags for Cal State Fullerton, I truly believed what everyone thought. 

But after five months, I found myself back at home and enrolling in the local community college.

So what happened?

While I gave an answer to those who asked, it wasn't the whole story. Truth is, I didn't really know what I was going to do or why I left after one semester. 

The one thing I did know was, deep down, I could not pursue musical theater as a career anymore. And it broke my heart. 

Since leaving, I've pondered a lot on what drove me to call it quits and jump into a completely new field of study. And I think after two years, I figured it out.

There are two qualifications I have for my life career - one, it must pertain to a cause or subject I'm passionate about. And two, my hard work needs to result in a benefit for both myself and others.

I was passionate about theater, and worked very hard to become better at the craft. Years of voice lessons, late nights finding perfect audition songs, and plans to continue my education at a university were all done in hopes that it would pay off with a gig at a professional theater company, or a well paying job. 

But at Fullerton, I soon learned that that hard work can be for nothing.

At the end of the semester, two major auditions happened - one for the main stage show and one for a production were the performers got to collaborate with professors. Right before, I played one of the lead characters (a man!) in a showcase that was seen by directors and professors at the college. It was one of my proudest moments as a performer, and the combination of that plus a great audition I hoped would land me a role in either opportunity. While I was called back for the main stage show, I ended the semester with nothing.

Now one could look at this and say that I need to toughen up, that's the life of an actor, rejection is a part of the process. All true! But it dawned on me - my whole life could be like this. And I was not ok with it. I wanted to see my hard work pay off! It bothered me to know I could not be cast due to things I could not control. This, however, is the life of a performer.

It stayed in my mind when I went home for winter break. Going back to Fullerton would be going back to that life - a life I no longer wanted to live. So I left.

Considering I had done it for over half my life, it was surprisingly easy to put theater behind me and focus on my new goals. I think it had to do with how hurt I was, and how disappointed I had become to realize that the life of an actor was not for me. 

So how did I get to were I am now - a nutrition student at San Diego State?

Well, I had some GE's that had to be completed, regardless of what educational path I decided to took. I signed up for classes at the local community college, and the next day I was hired at the GNC that just opened on Camp Pendleton. 


Around this time, I had developed an interest in health and fitness. I'd always been diet conscious, but with the rise in popularity in fitness shows, I too joined the "people who lift" group that had developed across social media. (That's were the Weights, Dates, and Shakes was born!) 

Interest became passion, and when I discovered that the field was booming, I decided to jump in. I initially chose nutrition because I was more interested in food than exercise - I'd rather eat a salad than run a mile. 

But as my classes progressed and it came time to apply to transfer, I realized I loved nutrition.

I loved the impact it had on the body and how it is a topic that affects everyone. Not everyone may interested in theater, but everyone eats!

In November I applied to only one school - SDSU. It was a bit risky, but I had a good feeling that I was going to be accepted - until I discovered the 16.9% acceptance rate; even my mother thought I wasn't going to get in! When I got the email of acceptance, she and I jumped up and down and celebrated with eating ice cream from the carton.

I couldn't wait to start my new life - a new school, new people, new major. It was like freshman year all over again! And while I love my parents, living at home killed me. I was ready to be on my own.

So here I am! One very happy college student :) My experience here at State has been nothing short of amazing. I've met a great group friends in my dorm, joined a sorority (something a lot of people also though I'd never do...but that's another story for another time), and have thrown myself into my major,

And while the process of becoming a successful dietitian is long and hard, I love the work - because I know I will be rewarded for it, and my future clients will too.

All the networking, volunteering, late night studying, and extra research is driven by my passion for the field, and desire to be accepted into an internship immediately after graduation. I also love the freedom that comes with this major - I can create my own job! And there's so many different aspects to nutrition that one can jump to, from medical to community to education. I'm discovering an interest in food psychology, and how people determine their food choices based on the mind.

Will I ever do theater again? Maybe. I've put performing on hold to focus all my efforts into the new life transition, but I do want to get back to training, especially in the two genres I love to sing - jazz and opera. 

But for now, I'm enjoying my daily routine and look forward to the opportunities on the horizon. 

Two years ago I made a choice.....and it may just be the best one I ever made.






*DISCLAIMER = I am not putting down those that have chosen to pursue theater. If anything, I have more respect for them than before! It takes a special kind of person to be an actor, and I am lucky to have met and be friends with many of these special people in my life.