Some passions never fade, they just wait for the right moment to come into your life. For me, that passion is the Rocky Horror Picture Show. My first encounter with it wasn’t on the big screen, but live on stage. My family introduced me to the eccentric, over-the-top world of Rocky, initially I was hesitant about the V in lipstick on my forehead and all the audience members in costume, but I was hooked after I saw them perform “Time Warp” in act one.

Growing up, my hometown put on the show every year during Halloween weekend, so the confetti, the music, and the sense of community were part of my high school life. It was a tradition, a celebration of everything theatrical, outrageous, and a little bit spooky, and it stuck with me.

I’ve always been a theater kid. I remember the thrill of stepping into a character, of bringing someone else’s story to life. But when I first saw the stage production of Rocky Horror, it was different. There was an energy in the theater that was impossible to ignore. The outrageous costumes, the catchy songs, the moments that made the audience laugh, cheer, and even shout back at the performers. Watching the production was pure magic. At that moment, I knew I wanted to do the Time Warp myself. Unfortunately I wasn’t old enough to participate so I settled for being in the audience. 

College took me on a different path. For a while, I stepped away from the theater entirely. I focused on studies, responsibilities, and life outside of performing. And yet, the memory of the production stayed with me; the sequins, the frills, the mad scientists, and that unforgettable first call of “Dammit, Janet!” It lingered like a spark waiting for the right time to ignite.