~Hungry Eyes for Leadership~

Roads? 

Where we're going, we don't need roads...

to PART ONE!

Welcome to my blog!!! :) This is my first experience blogging, so I apologize beforehand if it's so bad that it makes anyone want to create a time machine out of a DeLorean and go back to the past to avoid ever reading it… "Back to the Future" anyone? Throughout my future posts, I'll be sneaking in quotes from the ‘80s... I know, I know, my great obsession with this decade is quite unhealthy, but how could I possibly resist??!

Throughout my whole life, besides being an active participant in the "I Wish I Could Wear Colorful Tights and Leg Warmers Every Day and Not Be Looked At Weird" community, I have been an active participant in the performing arts community. From the moment I slipped on my new pink ballet shoes with my tiny hands years ago, I felt my body slowly being taken over by a virus, an exhilarating virus caused by a bite from the performing arts bug. Little did I know that this virus would be incurable, driving me to build my resume as a performer from the time I could barely tie my shoelaces to my present self as a college freshman, a shoelace tying expert.

As long as I can remember, the theatre and stage has been my second home, and sharing many unforgettable experiences with my fellow dancers and cast mates has been absolutely amazing. What we’re doing isn’t just standing on a stage, singing and dancing mindlessly; rather, we perform in front of others to create a positive change within the onlookers’ hearts and minds. I’ve always believed that giving back to the society is necessary to our well-being as human beings. What use is a life if it does not touch upon other lives, or in my case, what use is my life as a performer if it does not inspire or make any expression on the lives of the audience members watching? The art I create is completely useless if it simply passes minds without leaving a trace of reflection. As the aged ropes of the theatre creak to raise the curtain and the orchestra begins to play, I see the audience begin to transform. Smiling faces look back at me and my cast mates as the final note sounds and the curtain falls. In my heart, I know that within those few hours, we’ve brought a change in these people’s lives: we’ve provided a glimmer of hope in these hard times, and the encouragement of brighter days to come.

“Why are you always so involved with the arts?,” a person may ask. It is because I personally believe that it is so very important for human beings to express themselves. Everyone was born with a voice. Some people have the gift of speech, some people have the gift of dance, painting, photography, singing... We all “speak” and express our unique selves and lead others through our various gifts, and everyone deserves the chance and the freedom to state what they have to say by using their gift effectively. In a world where our individual voices are pinned down by politics, law, and social and media pressures, finding a way to burst out of the restrictions binding our throats and speaking out through alternative methods is severely important. I believe the performing arts community encourages the audience to speak out and stand up for their beliefs, therefore motivating them to trust their creative ideas and lead others. One of the key elements of leadership is good communication, and through our display of expression on the stage, we encourage others to express themselves and speak up!!

Performers also have lives as busy full-time working civilians, hard-working parents, and sleep-deprived students, and they devote the time that they can find to work with each other effectively on a production. There are always days where a cast member or perhaps a handful of them show up to the theatre feeling down in the dumps. Perhaps they have had a bad day at work, had just broken up with their significant other just 10 minutes ago, or had just received the news that a close relative had passed away. No matter what kind of unfortunate event had happened, it is up to each and every one of us to put on a smiling face and be ready to perform in 2 hours. The show must go on!!  Each one of our efforts combined makes a 100%, and if one member is not committed to contributing their percentage, the production will fall flat. With encouragement, motivation, and love, the whole cast works together to solve each other’s problems, worries, and concerns, and is there to support one another, no matter what happens. Despite our many differences, ages, beliefs, racial and cultural backgrounds, our one definite similarity, PASSION acts as the glue that bonds us together. We are all leaders in this performing arts community, as we are all responsible for doing our own duty and part to make the production a spectacular and memorable one.

Nothing makes me and my cast mates happier than relieving the stress of others and transporting them to a world where anything can happen, and where magic exists.

All those hours of hard work are completely worth it when I see little boys running down the aisles of the theater during intermission laughing and imitating Peter Pan’s crow, seeing that youthful twinkle in grandparents’ eyes as they watch my cast members and I take on familiar characters from the 30’s, and seeing glistening tears rolling down cheeks of touched audience members as the dusty curtain slowly floats down, gently bringing them back to reality, the magic of the theater forever engraved in their hearts.

Nobody puts Part Two in a Corner!

Don’t worry Patrick Swayze (bless his soul), I won’t! Part two is very important.  

Being optimistic in everything I do, including when I’m taking on challenges, allows me to have the time of my life. Displaying your strong sense of positivity influences others so much more than you think it does. Just being a positive role model motivates others and followers to pick themselves up and dust the dirt off themselves, no matter how much life events may push them into the ground.

Who wants to follow a grumpy leader? Certainly not me!! Leaders have the responsibility to always stay open-minded and stay hopeful for the best outcomes, turning each negative into a positive.


I view being a leader as being similar to the element of water, and followers as being various water paths and channels. When you place an object such as a rock before running water, the water flow is blocked for just a moment, until it finds a way to either go under the rock, over it, or go around the rock to continue flowing to its destination. The same thing applies to leaders. Obstacles will always get in the way of a leader’s desired path, but by taking the time to ponder the most effective solutions, the leader may find other paths that will lead to success. By communicating with other members and encouraging them to share their creative and innovative ideas, the leader may find alternative paths that will allow the group or community to blast through the obstacle or go around it. Without the various water paths, water is helpless and trapped. To be a leader, you must have the support of your followers, for without them, you are nothing. Strengthening and encouraging your followers to trust themselves and their decisions will also in turn strengthen yourself as a leader.

I hope all of you survived my first blog, and aren’t wishing for Doc Brown to save them from ever reading this. I look forward to seeing all of you soon!