An actress’s life is exhausting and exciting; hardworking, yet relaxing.

Organizing a play performance is a wondrous adventure. It takes the strengths of a group of people to work together and create an ensemble.

I was chosen for the role of Aunt Ev in William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker.” The character is the aunt of Helen Keller. In addition, I appear as one of the crones; shadowy figures who haunt Annie Sullivan’s memory from when she spent time at an asylum as a little girl.

Luckily, my part had one of the least amount of lines, whereas the roles of Annie Sullivan, Captain Keller, and Kate Keller had some serious memorization sessions in order to perform in the three-act play.

Not only is memorizing lines an important process, but developing a character makes the show feel alive. You cannot stand on stage and act like yourself.

There is no messing around in rehearsal, because people are analyzing what you are saying to cue them on and off stage. Also, if the actor mistakenly misses an important line during the performance, the director will most likely be furiously trying to rearrange things to get the play back in motion.

The greatest lesson I have learned while participating in plays is the ability to listen, because in order to know how to act, listening is key.