"I tried out for Spring Awakening in January '05 and I was 15, almost 16. I sang 'Out Tonight' from RENT and 'Where is Love' from Oliver. I got to the final round and didn't get it. They went with older kids."

"Then I found out about The Atlantic Theatre run in January '06 and I auditioned for it again. They told me they didn't want anybody they had already seen, but then they invited me to audition, and I did. I went in there and rocked it. I sang 'Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)' and it went really well. I got a call a week later saying I had gotten a part."