I couldn’t wait for fourth grade. That was the magic number—the minimum age to join Junior Civic Theater. I had already seen plays there, nestled on the landscaped grounds of the Museum of Art, and I longed to be part of it. The setting was beautiful, the performances bold and fearless, and I was desperate to belong. My mom called year after year, hoping they’d make an exception for a second grader, then a third grader, but the answer was always no. The wait felt endless. But finally, fourth grade arrived, and stepping into that world was like stepping onto another planet—a planet where I belonged.Auditions, rehearsals, costumes, makeup, staging, memorizing lines, the thrill of opening night, giving and receiving flowers, the big fun of the cast party—there was so much to learn, so much to experience. It became the rhythm of my life. Best of all, the kids I met there weren’t like the ones at school. They were kind, expressive, exuberant, fun — driven by the same creative fire that burned in me. Working together to bring a show to life was pure joy. I had found my tribe.And I never left it. From Junior Civic to high school rep theater, show choir, Harand Theater Camp, and Young Americans, I built lifelong friendships in every creative space I entered. That same sense of camaraderie has carried into my adult life, where every cast, crew, and creative collaboration has felt like home. Now, with my newest venture, I have the privilege of welcoming others onto my planet — meeting and befriending the latest cast of characters at Wildcat.The Wildcat Teen Arts Retreat offers a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment where young artists will receive top-tier arts education in their chosen disciplines while working on individual and collaborative projects. Their journey will culminate in a final showcase, shared with family and friends—a celebration of creativity, connection, and finding their own tribe.