In my freshman year of high school, I went on a trip that was sponsored by the IB theater department. As part of the trip, we participated in a dance workshop. We were learning choreography for the song “One Night Only” from Dreamgirls. Our instructor had performed this exact number on West End and quickly set the stage and tone. Five minutes in, seemingly unimpressed with our effort, he told everyone to stop, pointed to an individual three spots away from mine, and said: “If this were an audition, she’s the only one that stands out. From now on, this is going to be like an audition.”

At that moment, something in me turned. Even though I never had a dance lesson in my life, I was furious that his finger wasn’t pointed at me. I wanted to prove that I was the best. I took in every little detail. Punch. Dip. Twirl. Spin. Dip again. Spin again. I committed it all to memory. Eventually, the rehearsal was over, and it was time for the audition. We stood in line while our instructor watched. He started the music. I nodded to the beat. He clapped us in. I took a breath. Five, six, seven, eight. And I ate them alive.

After rounds of eliminations, I was about to go head-to-head with the very person whom he called out in the beginning. After we struck the final pose…I was chosen for the role. Although this was only a workshop, and there was no actual role to be won, the competition was very real to me. I have always been a competitive person, and I believe that it has driven me to accomplish feats I had not thought possible. I want to be pushed to my limits and see just how high I can punch, dip, and twirl.