…all of the people who made me me. Andre De Shields recently taught me about the African philosophy of “ubuntu” or “I am because you are”. The phrase highlights this beautiful interconnectedness of humanity so instead of telling you that I started performing because of a purple blowfish costume and some sparkles, I would rather tell you a few people who have played a part in the creation and self-actualization of who I am and leave the sparkles for later.

• Julie Andrews in her role as The Sound of Music’s Maria Von Trapp

• Walt Disney

• Kenny Ortega, specifically as the director of the High School Musical franchise

• Judy Garland in her role as Meet Me in St. Louis’s Esther Smith

• My grandparents, James Daniel and Anne

• My parents, Victoria and David

• And my sister, Reagan, who seems to see me in the most human way possible