I can hardly explain how lucky I felt – and still feel – to have been able to perform in such a wonderful auditorium while at FPC. We had real stage lights, real microphones, real stage crafters, real wings… and a real pit! Unfortunately, these are things that many kids never experience while in high school. It made the transition to college-level performing extremely smooth; no one had to tell me not to play with props, or to keep my eye on the conductor, or to be nice to the stage manager! All of those things were a given part of our environment in the Flagler Auditorium. They became ingrained in me, not just as a performer, but as a human being.

As anyone whose been involved in the performing arts can tell you, a positive experience on stage can easily translate to positive experiences off stage. Just like a stadium means everything to a sports team, so did the Auditorium to all of us at FPC. It was there that we were vulnerable, brave, silly, emotional, determined, disciplined, and everything in between. We were able to share all of these aspects of ourselves with each other, with the faculty, and with an audience of up to 1000 people. Honestly, who could ask for more?? Certainly not me. Happy 20th birthday, Flagler Auditorium. Here’s to many more trips around the sun!