To my high school theater director,

Words cannot describe how much you have made an impact in my life. From the very first time I met you and dreamt of one day being on stage in one of your productions, to the final bow I took my senior year, you were such a big part of my high school experience that I cannot think of high school without thinking of you.

When I was just a timid freshman, I was so nervous to audition. I was not sure how it would go, because I had never really put myself out there like that before. But when I saw your encouraging smile during the audition process, it gave me the push I needed to get out of my comfort zone.

When I got the news that I was in the musical, I was so excited! I could not wait to learn everything I could from you. And boy, did I learn a lot! In that year, and all of the years after, you taught me to be confident, cool and collected during the times when it was hardest to be. Whether it was opening night and I was extremely nervous, or I was worried about forgetting a line, or I was frustrated because I could not learn a dance correctly, you taught me to do whatever was needed with confidence and grace, just like you did. You taught me so many things over the years. You showed me the value of hard work. You instructed me on how to have stage presence, how to walk across the stage, to never drop character and that the show must go on! You taught me all of this and so much more. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me.

All of the things you have taught me may not seem like a big deal to people that were not in theater, but as you and I both know, almost all of the lessons you taught me (and many other students) are extremely helpful in real life. You taught us that to do things to the best of your ability, you need to work hard. But we also know that, even after all that hard work, you still need just a little bit of confidence, grace and that smiling never hurt anyone. All of your students know how to remain calm, cool and collected during those grand and crazy events life throws at us, because as we all know, the show will go on.

As if teaching all of these things to me and countless others was not enough (not to mention directing a show in the process), you also gave me a home. Seriously, I do not know what high school would have been like for me without theater, but it definitely would not have been nearly as happy. You gave me countless memories and made theater friends my family. I mean it, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.