A native Dallasite, my appreciation of the arts was informed by my grandmother, Edna, who encouraged my enrollment in classes at the Dallas Theater Center, which lasted from third grade until my Senior year in high school. Originally planning on an English major, Theatre became the focus of my studies. A fondness for movies, particularly old movies, engaged me, and my knowledge of the names of actors, directors, set, costume ,and lighting designer's helped to develop my critical awareness. Attending stage performances happened more frequently, as I settled into a job in education as a Permanent Substitute at a co-ed private high school, where I assist in middle and upper school productions from sound design, costume , and set design: keeping my hand in, so to speak.