I remember I was nervous right before I auditioned for Around the Bay. I hadn't been to very many auditions, and all of it was very new to me. From the looks of the script, it seemed as if they knew what they were doing. I had help from my sister who encouraged me to follow through with the audition. Right before I had to leave we read a few lines together, which helped calm my nerves.

I got in my car and I was off! I had 30 minutes to get there, so I was good for time...or so I thought. As I got off at the exit, I conveniently started going the wrong way and didn't realize it until it was too late. After a small period of freaking out, I found it. I entered the building, and noticed that the auditions had already begun. I walked in as quietly as I could, so as not to disturb anyone. When I looked up, I saw a girl around my age (she was going for Daisy I assumed), two men who looked as if they were auditioning for the dad role, and the rest of the room was filled with young boys and their moms (I chuckled to myself when I saw this).

I auditioned with a few people, but there was an automatic connection with one group in particular. I felt it and apparently Alex felt it as well, because all three of us ended up landing the roles.

I don't think I realized at the time how special this little film was going to be, and how much I would take from it. Earlier that year I made the decision to go out into the world and act. The path my life was taking was slowly leading up to that point, but it was a big enough change where I became nervous to tell people what I had in mind, for fear that they would brush it off as a phase.

I am grateful at having accomplished something so large at a very young stage in my acting career. This film not only helped validate me as an actress, but I learned far more than I ever could have asked for. I was truly blessed to be working with such fine actors (and director). I learned how powerful honesty between actors can truly be, and what it takes to reach that point.

Alex's directorial style was slightly alien to me at first. I assumed that most films contained a rigid set of rules where the actors would have to come alive, but only within a confined space. Alex threw that all out on the first day. He gave us the freedom to explore where the characters would go, not only with each other, but in the quiet, lonely moments as well. At times it would be frustrating, and I would go home feeling anxious, but as we continued on with the film, the frustration started to drift and I became much more centered in my character. I started to enjoy the freedom I was given, and used it to my advantage. What would Daisy do? How would she walk in this scene? How would she talk in this scene? Of course this is what acting is, but I was new to all of this.

The style used in this film has become one of my favorites, because of the allowed use of improvisation and the constant freshness it brings to the characters. I've noticed that with other films I've been involved with, I tend to change the script while they film... It's not embraced as much as I thought it would be.

I am sincerely thankful for being able to be a part of this wonderful story. It has helped me in so many ways, and I've learned more than I ever could have asked for. I can't wait to see what this film continues to accomplish!! It's all so exciting! :)