Some of my earliest memories were of fear. My pediatrician called my fear “hypersensitivity”. My senses were constantly on overdrive. I would recoil at specific smells, bright lights, or weird textures. But most of my hypersensitivity revolved around noise. I would cry every time my dad crumpled a piece of paper, or my mom turned on the TV. In elementary school, I was the kid who cried during fire drills. I was afraid of the unexpected. When I was twelve, my hypersensitivity led me to be diagnosed with debilitating anxiety and panic disorder. I wouldn’t leave my room. Underneath my bed (yes, actually under my bed), I found my only safe place. Every other environment was suffocating. When I did go out, I would struggle to breathe as background music and typical conversation melted into excruciating static. My parents knew something had to change. They signed my two siblings and me up for a two-week long half-day camp at our local community theater, where we would perform in our first musical - Suessical, Kids. I didn’t want to go. I hated the idea of performing. I feared all the noise – the applause, the music, the microphones. It would be too much. On the first day, I kept up my guard as other kids exchanged hugs and excited conversations. As the director began talking and the music started playing, I braced myself for the dreaded static I knew all too well. But that static never came. Instead, I heard melody. I heard harmony. I heard chords and an orchestra and a rhythm that got everyone dancing. Eventually, I started dancing too. I can’t explain what happened. All I know is after that day, music was no longer overwhelming. It was beautiful, resonant, healing. Since that first show, theater has been a safe space for me; it’s helped me recover from my anxiety and taught me to be unapologetically me. I’ve grown as an artist and have performed in nearly 30 shows, with roles including Cinderella in Into the Woods, Catherine in Pippin, Meg March in Little Women, and Johanna in Sweeney Todd. I’ve grown both as a performer and as a musician. My hypersensitivity has become a superpower. I’m able to distinguish harmonies and hear minute differences in chords. I served as the music director for Shrek, Anastasia, and The Little Mermaid. I had the opportunity to sing with Voctave and Epcot’s Voices of Liberty, two highly respected acapella groups. Most importantly, I’ve gained confidence. Theater has taught me to pursue mastery in other aspects of my life. On my mock trial team, I’ve won statewide performance awards and have worked with teammates to win competitions. In school, I work hard to earn good grades, and have passed every AP exam with flying colors. This whole time, I’ve been surrounded by supportive friends, family members, and directors who have continued to push me to excel in my craft. I may always struggle with lingering anxiety. But when I’m on stage, my scattered, anxious thoughts turn to soft hums of contentment, and the panic-inducing static I used to hear melts into beautiful music. I’m eternally grateful for my parents, who started me down the path of recovery through performance.