Darkness, wooden stairs, а white bundle of light that makes the dust visible. It’s winter and it’s warm, there are dogs on stage, looking for someone. The kingdom is divided. King Lear. I'm 7, and this is my first memory of theater. It was also a choice - I chose to go somewhere unknown with my dad and miss my favorite animated series, The Flintstones.

Years later, as soon as I found out about the high school theatre, I immediately enrolled. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm was quickly cooled by the teacher, who clearly made me understand that my plasticity would at best help me play a tree. It was clear to me that artists were special creatures, so I decided not to waste my little talent and time with thoughts of theater and concentrate more on chemistry and biology. And I did exactly so.

Then one day as I was passing by the local theater, an actor I knew came out and asked "Did you sign up?". "For what?", I responded. He grabbed my arm and led me in. Then he signed me up for audition.I was hesitant. My mother told me "Go there and breathe some of those people's air". From that moment on, my entire world and life changed. I got into NAFTA. For the first time I could reveal and discover my real emotions and that was not weakness that was wealth. I could fantasize, read, and play. Ironically, my first role on stage was tiny but it was in King Lear.

Now I've played a lot of roles. I've directed a couple of plays. My dad is gone, but soon my daughter will choose to snuggle in me, staring into the darkness, as I quail wondering whether she likes the show I've made or is sorry for missing The Flintstones.