The draw to Los Angeles pulled at me for years…the sunshine, the beach, the palm trees, the sidewalk cafes…so much to do and explore, people to meet, shows to see, almost perfect weather year round…what’s not to love?

Well, there is what my dad calls “living among your 10 million best friends” and all that entails...traffic, smog, crowded space. Plus, I kept asking myself, “Am I ready? Am I ready to leave my safe, comfortable small town where I know everybody and everybody knows me and I love my big, beautiful home and I’m surrounded by great, forever friends?”

I guess if my life was that good, then I would never leave. Unless something finally pushed me out, which it did. And unless I had this deep hunger for more, which I absolutely did.

But then the questions came, “Is my acting craft and talent ready? Can I face off against the big contenders and hold my own? Is my resume solid enough? Do I have enough training?” Being one who leans towards perfectionism, I don’t think I ever would have reached “enough” and “ready.” But the time came, the push and the pull were strong enough, and the drive and desire inspired me to load up the u-haul and head for the City of Angels, the land of dreams come true.

First off…culture shock…Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore. I saw things and heard things and met people I never would have in my small town America. Gratefully, I had friends in the city who helped me navigate my emotions and shared their own “I’m new here” stories. I ended up finding out that I had more friends nearby than I expected. LA is a land of many transplants. If I met a native Angelino, I felt like I had found a unicorn.

Next up…auditions…open calls, appointments, EPAs, ECCs…meeting a ton of great people, singing my heart out in 32 bars or less, then waiting to hear. Two things surprised me: (1) that I still got nervous and (2) how helpful people were. As expected, the more I auditioned, the less nervous I was. Regarding #2, not everyone rolls out the red carpet for LA newbies, but being friendly and showing kindness goes a long way in making new friends and finding out they’re not the competition, you’re in this together.

In just this way, I learned valuable things like how to use Backstage.com (which is how I booked my first job), how to avoid getting a parking ticket (I still made a sizable financial contribution to the city of LA with two tickets in my first month), the best app for avoiding traffic (go Waze!), and recommendations for terrific classes from Theatre Dance to Commercial Acting.

I’m just shy of reaching a full year in LA, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I love this city and I don’t want to leave. LA must have adopted me as one of her own because people now ask me for advice as if I’m the native. I’m happy to oblige and welcome them because this is now home.

Broadway in LA: A Musical Theatre Actor’s Journey in Los Angeles