I started working backstage during my sophomore year of college because I needed a job. I had no interest or knowledge of the live events industry, but was open to learning more. As time went on, I became hooked. The thrill of putting on a show, and seeing the audience relax and enjoy, and cheer, cemented the desire to keep working in entertainment. I grew and learned more, and every part I learned pushed me deeper. Eventually I ended up as lighting board operator on a production, and I fell in love with the ETC ecosystem and wanted to learn more. Through the Learning Stage Videos, I learned what Lighting Design was, and knew it was the field for me. It combined the technical and artistic sides of my brain that hadn't existed in the other fields I had explored. I continued my education with getting my MFA in Lighting Design and Technology. After graduation, I became Technical Director at a church and became more versatile outside of just lighting. That experience launched into the world of video, and ending up as Video Head at an outdoor ampitheatre. I then got an offer to return the very place I started my career, this time as the Production Manager. In that role, I am pleased to give back to what gave my start, and pour into the next generation of students.