It's been a great opening to the year. I've been impressed with the way you're willing to try new and different things. We'll continue to work on building your right-brain, creative muscles throughout the year.

I've asked you to be thinking about the idea of taking risks. I remember pretty clearly the first time that I took a risk in theater. I was in 9th grade, and I was standing outside the choir room door wondering if I should go into the auditions for a traveling one-act show. I had only moved to Minnesota a few months before, and I still didn't feel like I was fitting in.

As I stood there thinking, a group of the popular girls walked by. They looked at me, giggled, and one of them said, "Is she going to try out for the play?"

At that moment, I thought, you know what...I don't care what they think...why should I? I marched into my first high school auditions, not caring about whether or not I was cast. I just knew that I had to follow my heart, not what others said.

And here I am...

What are the risks you're taking in theater class this year? I want you to find one way that you're being more daring (in a good, positive way). For example, you may talk about learning to not be afraid onstage. Be specific about some of the exercises and activities that have helped you get there. If you are comfortable onstage, how have you found yourself challenged in other ways? Maybe the story of Genesius and his choice to choose Christ over the theater made you think about what you would die for. Maybe you're simply learning more about yourself has been challenging. Give us a hint about what's been shifting for you.