my palm started sweating as I stood with the other kids it was almost my turn to
the other kids it was almost my turn to
the other kids it was almost my turn to recite the days of the week and yet i
recite the days of the week and yet i
recite the days of the week and yet i did not know a single one quickly i
did not know a single one quickly i
did not know a single one quickly i tried to memorize the sounds I heard the
tried to memorize the sounds I heard the
tried to memorize the sounds I heard the other children make monday tuesday wed
other children make monday tuesday wed
other children make monday tuesday wed nice day how was I to memorize all of
nice day how was I to memorize all of
nice day how was I to memorize all of this when my turn came I just stood
this when my turn came I just stood
this when my turn came I just stood there a five-year-old wide-eyed waiting
there a five-year-old wide-eyed waiting
there a five-year-old wide-eyed waiting for a miracle I was never shy child
for a miracle I was never shy child
for a miracle I was never shy child quite the opposite actually yet moving
quite the opposite actually yet moving
quite the opposite actually yet moving from Latvia to Miami was quite a shock
from Latvia to Miami was quite a shock
from Latvia to Miami was quite a shock for a little French boy like me the only
for a little French boy like me the only
for a little French boy like me the only for english words i knew where yes no
for english words i knew where yes no
for english words i knew where yes no maybe hello if i didn’t understand what
maybe hello if i didn’t understand what
maybe hello if i didn’t understand what someone was saying i would just run away
someone was saying i would just run away
someone was saying i would just run away deeply ashamed and frustrated i felt
deeply ashamed and frustrated i felt
deeply ashamed and frustrated i felt like everyone in the class was silently
like everyone in the class was silently
like everyone in the class was silently laughing at me laughing that i could not
laughing at me laughing that i could not
laughing at me laughing that i could not speak the same language it’s them i
speak the same language it’s them i
speak the same language it’s them i wanted to understand people I really did
wanted to understand people I really did
wanted to understand people I really did and I wanted to be understood the
and I wanted to be understood the
and I wanted to be understood the blabbermouth I was at home would shut up
blabbermouth I was at home would shut up
blabbermouth I was at home would shut up as I came to school I would zip my
as I came to school I would zip my
as I came to school I would zip my sweater as I came to the school and with
sweater as I came to the school and with
sweater as I came to the school and with it I would zip my mouth the big kids
it I would zip my mouth the big kids
it I would zip my mouth the big kids intimidated me and my jacket acted as my
intimidated me and my jacket acted as my
intimidated me and my jacket acted as my shield it protected me from them from
shield it protected me from them from
shield it protected me from them from the school from this new unfamiliar
the school from this new unfamiliar
the school from this new unfamiliar place called America so I insisted on
place called America so I insisted on
place called America so I insisted on keeping this shield this jacket wherever
keeping this shield this jacket wherever
keeping this shield this jacket wherever I want even if it meant boiling to death
I want even if it meant boiling to death
I want even if it meant boiling to death in this 30 degrees Celsius temperature
in this 30 degrees Celsius temperature
in this 30 degrees Celsius temperature not only was I afraid of the big kids
not only was I afraid of the big kids
not only was I afraid of the big kids but I was also afraid of chapter books
but I was also afraid of chapter books
but I was also afraid of chapter books when my mom suggested we try and read A
when my mom suggested we try and read A
when my mom suggested we try and read A to Z mysteries the goose is gold I
to Z mysteries the goose is gold I
to Z mysteries the goose is gold I started bawling I was crying I really
started bawling I was crying I really
started bawling I was crying I really wanted to read a chapter book I really
wanted to read a chapter book I really
wanted to read a chapter book I really did but I put so much pressure on myself
did but I put so much pressure on myself
did but I put so much pressure on myself the fear of failure loomed
the fear of failure loomed
the fear of failure loomed over me then lovin whole chapters I had
over me then lovin whole chapters I had
over me then lovin whole chapters I had to read seemed nothing in comparison to
to read seemed nothing in comparison to
to read seemed nothing in comparison to the little books I had to read in
the little books I had to read in
the little books I had to read in kindergarten but just as I had learned
kindergarten but just as I had learned
kindergarten but just as I had learned the days of the week in steps and I had
the days of the week in steps and I had
the days of the week in steps and I had learned more and more words in English I
learned more and more words in English I
learned more and more words in English I opened the book in my bubble bath and
opened the book in my bubble bath and
opened the book in my bubble bath and even though I’m pretty sure my mom right
even though I’m pretty sure my mom right
even though I’m pretty sure my mom right two-thirds of the book for me when I
two-thirds of the book for me when I
two-thirds of the book for me when I finished I started crying I wasn’t
finished I started crying I wasn’t
finished I started crying I wasn’t crying because I had soap in my eye from
crying because I had soap in my eye from
crying because I had soap in my eye from the bubble bath or because I was scared
the bubble bath or because I was scared
the bubble bath or because I was scared but because i had read a book a real
but because i had read a book a real
but because i had read a book a real american chapter book and now why this
american chapter book and now why this
american chapter book and now why this anecdote why tell you something that
anecdote why tell you something that
anecdote why tell you something that happened 12 school years ago why should
happened 12 school years ago why should
happened 12 school years ago why should this matter well the reason i wanted to
this matter well the reason i wanted to
this matter well the reason i wanted to share this story with you was to
share this story with you was to
share this story with you was to demonstrate how i was forced to step out
demonstrate how i was forced to step out
demonstrate how i was forced to step out of my comfort zone when I was a small
of my comfort zone when I was a small
of my comfort zone when I was a small child except being forced to do so was
child except being forced to do so was
child except being forced to do so was probably the most beneficial for me in
probably the most beneficial for me in
probably the most beneficial for me in terms of my development and growth
terms of my development and growth
terms of my development and growth although this seems like a simple naive
although this seems like a simple naive
although this seems like a simple naive childhood incident overcoming my fear of
childhood incident overcoming my fear of
childhood incident overcoming my fear of chapter books helped shape my
chapter books helped shape my
chapter books helped shape my personality and who I am today as I
personality and who I am today as I
personality and who I am today as I learned English I became more
learned English I became more
learned English I became more enthusiastic passionate outgoing it’s
enthusiastic passionate outgoing it’s
enthusiastic passionate outgoing it’s funny how overcoming our fears can make
funny how overcoming our fears can make
funny how overcoming our fears can make us different people and that’s really
us different people and that’s really
us different people and that’s really the point of my speech today to cross
the point of my speech today to cross
the point of my speech today to cross the line and to find a passion that will
the line and to find a passion that will
the line and to find a passion that will help you cross that line as well as I
help you cross that line as well as I
help you cross that line as well as I was forced to step out of my comfort
was forced to step out of my comfort
was forced to step out of my comfort zone I started reading more books and I
zone I started reading more books and I
zone I started reading more books and I became a voracious reader as time went
became a voracious reader as time went
became a voracious reader as time went on i first started reading goosebumps
on i first started reading goosebumps
on i first started reading goosebumps magic tree house series and then i went
magic tree house series and then i went
magic tree house series and then i went on to harder and harder books and i also
on to harder and harder books and i also
on to harder and harder books and i also found play scripts after reading the
found play scripts after reading the
found play scripts after reading the play scripts i noticed that the voices i
play scripts i noticed that the voices i
play scripts i noticed that the voices i made hello hello the voices i made for
made hello hello the voices i made for
made hello hello the voices i made for the characters in my books i could
the characters in my books i could
the characters in my books i could incorporate that with my other passion
incorporate that with my other passion
incorporate that with my other passion the theater the theater had been
the theater the theater had been
the theater the theater had been instilled in me ever since I was a small
instilled in me ever since I was a small
instilled in me ever since I was a small child by my parents when we lived in
child by my parents when we lived in
child by my parents when we lived in Latvia we would go to the circus puppet
Latvia we would go to the circus puppet
Latvia we would go to the circus puppet shows movie theater ballet opera at
shows movie theater ballet opera at
shows movie theater ballet opera at least two times a month if not more my
least two times a month if not more my
least two times a month if not more my favorite moment was when the red
favorite moment was when the red
favorite moment was when the red curtains would part to reveal a new
curtains would part to reveal a new
curtains would part to reveal a new world a new world which I wanted to be
world a new world which I wanted to be
world a new world which I wanted to be part of the theater slowly became my
part of the theater slowly became my
part of the theater slowly became my passion it was not something I book
passion it was not something I book
passion it was not something I book grudgingly agreed to do or but
grudgingly agreed to do or but
grudgingly agreed to do or but grudgingly approach
grudgingly approach
grudgingly approach I wanted to go I would put on my little
I wanted to go I would put on my little
I wanted to go I would put on my little polo and go sit in the car and wait for
polo and go sit in the car and wait for
polo and go sit in the car and wait for an hour while my mom would get ready
an hour while my mom would get ready
an hour while my mom would get ready when I moved to Russia from Miami I
when I moved to Russia from Miami I
when I moved to Russia from Miami I finally summon the courage to go and try
finally summon the courage to go and try
finally summon the courage to go and try acting in a full-scale show I had been
acting in a full-scale show I had been
acting in a full-scale show I had been in little skits ever since pre-k where I
in little skits ever since pre-k where I
in little skits ever since pre-k where I would usually receive the larger roles
would usually receive the larger roles
would usually receive the larger roles but being part of this new experience
but being part of this new experience
but being part of this new experience being in a show was just so gratifying
being in a show was just so gratifying
being in a show was just so gratifying painting the set memorizing lines
painting the set memorizing lines
painting the set memorizing lines working with other individuals and
working with other individuals and
working with other individuals and that’s what really struck me about the
that’s what really struck me about the
that’s what really struck me about the theater above all what I enjoy and still
theater above all what I enjoy and still
theater above all what I enjoy and still enjoy them what I enjoy the most about
enjoy them what I enjoy the most about
enjoy them what I enjoy the most about acting is the pleasure and the joy that
acting is the pleasure and the joy that
acting is the pleasure and the joy that you can bring to others I found that not
you can bring to others I found that not
you can bring to others I found that not only do I experience joy from acting but
only do I experience joy from acting but
only do I experience joy from acting but i can bring happiness to audience
i can bring happiness to audience
i can bring happiness to audience members watching it’s funny how the
members watching it’s funny how the
members watching it’s funny how the theater can bring us all together people
theater can bring us all together people
theater can bring us all together people are willing to just sit in a room for
are willing to just sit in a room for
are willing to just sit in a room for hours no matter what the race gender
hours no matter what the race gender
hours no matter what the race gender religion political opinion sexuality
religion political opinion sexuality
religion political opinion sexuality everyone is just willing to sit in the
everyone is just willing to sit in the
everyone is just willing to sit in the theater and listen to the story that’s
theater and listen to the story that’s
theater and listen to the story that’s being told on stage our ability thus
being told on stage our ability thus
being told on stage our ability thus makes this imagine imagine errs
makes this imagine imagine errs
makes this imagine imagine errs explorers inventors and creators but how
explorers inventors and creators but how
explorers inventors and creators but how did I discover this how did I discover
did I discover this how did I discover
did I discover this how did I discover that everyone wants to be in the theater
that everyone wants to be in the theater
that everyone wants to be in the theater and wants to watch it’s individuals on
and wants to watch it’s individuals on
and wants to watch it’s individuals on stage pour their heart out you guess I
stage pour their heart out you guess I
stage pour their heart out you guess I was
that’s so much so as to say except at
that’s so much so as to say except at first I was quite nervous it was a very
first I was quite nervous it was a very
first I was quite nervous it was a very stressful experience and I wasn’t sure
stressful experience and I wasn’t sure
stressful experience and I wasn’t sure if I could do it no student had ever
if I could do it no student had ever
if I could do it no student had ever directed a musical on this stage or in
directed a musical on this stage or in
directed a musical on this stage or in this school ever before and so some of
this school ever before and so some of
this school ever before and so some of the teachers were not as inclined and
the teachers were not as inclined and
the teachers were not as inclined and didn’t think that I could do it at times
didn’t think that I could do it at times
didn’t think that I could do it at times I thought I couldn’t do it as well how
I thought I couldn’t do it as well how
I thought I couldn’t do it as well how could I direct 25 kids how could I be in
could I direct 25 kids how could I be in
could I direct 25 kids how could I be in charge of the lights the props set but I
charge of the lights the props set but I
charge of the lights the props set but I was able to surround myself with people
was able to surround myself with people
was able to surround myself with people who had these skills and these abilities
who had these skills and these abilities
who had these skills and these abilities in order to step outside her comfort
in order to step outside her comfort
in order to step outside her comfort zones we have to find people who are
zones we have to find people who are
zones we have to find people who are willing to help us and who will help us
willing to help us and who will help us
willing to help us and who will help us reach and go over that line and in the
reach and go over that line and in the
reach and go over that line and in the end the production was truly spectacular
end the production was truly spectacular
end the production was truly spectacular because of all our group efforts the
because of all our group efforts the
because of all our group efforts the when the little children came when the
when the little children came when the
when the little children came when the parents came everyone was so happy
parents came everyone was so happy
parents came everyone was so happy clapping laughing dancing in the aisles
clapping laughing dancing in the aisles
clapping laughing dancing in the aisles of the theatre speaking however I wasn’t
of the theatre speaking however I wasn’t
of the theatre speaking however I wasn’t comfortable with this at first but I did
comfortable with this at first but I did
comfortable with this at first but I did become comfortable and speaking of not
become comfortable and speaking of not
become comfortable and speaking of not being comfortable how many of you saw
being comfortable how many of you saw
being comfortable how many of you saw the rocky horror picture show yes The
the rocky horror picture show yes The
the rocky horror picture show yes The Rocky Horror Picture Show is quite a
Rocky Horror Picture Show is quite a
Rocky Horror Picture Show is quite a risky play that we did at school and a
risky play that we did at school and a
risky play that we did at school and a lot of the actors had to step outside
lot of the actors had to step outside
lot of the actors had to step outside their comfort zones and in terms of
their comfort zones and in terms of
their comfort zones and in terms of being an actor this is what you want to
being an actor this is what you want to
being an actor this is what you want to do in order to be believable truthful
do in order to be believable truthful
do in order to be believable truthful onstage you want to step out of your
onstage you want to step out of your
onstage you want to step out of your comfort zone and just look weird just do
comfort zone and just look weird just do
comfort zone and just look weird just do weird things and that’s why I always try
weird things and that’s why I always try
weird things and that’s why I always try out for the place even if a play doesn’t
out for the place even if a play doesn’t
out for the place even if a play doesn’t really necessarily attract me at first I
really necessarily attract me at first I
really necessarily attract me at first I always find some value in it I have been
always find some value in it I have been
always find some value in it I have been in an opera in musicals in regular place
in an opera in musicals in regular place
in an opera in musicals in regular place in a dinner theater experience and now
in a dinner theater experience and now
in a dinner theater experience and now just in the rocky horror picture show
just in the rocky horror picture show
just in the rocky horror picture show and speaking of the rocky horror picture
and speaking of the rocky horror picture
and speaking of the rocky horror picture show Leo did a fantastic job as dr.
show Leo did a fantastic job as dr.
show Leo did a fantastic job as dr. frank-n-furter and there is no doubt
frank-n-furter and there is no doubt
frank-n-furter and there is no doubt that he is so talented yet what really
that he is so talented yet what really
that he is so talented yet what really made him shine was that he was able to
made him shine was that he was able to
made him shine was that he was able to step outside of his comfort zone I don’t
step outside of his comfort zone I don’t
step outside of his comfort zone I don’t think it’s normal for Leo to wear nail
think it’s normal for Leo to wear nail
think it’s normal for Leo to wear nail polish makeup high heels and a corset on
polish makeup high heels and a corset on
polish makeup high heels and a corset on a regular basis yet he did it for his
a regular basis yet he did it for his
a regular basis yet he did it for his role as an actor
role as an actor
role as an actor and by doing so he was able to
and by doing so he was able to
and by doing so he was able to transgress and to go above the
transgress and to go above the
transgress and to go above the boundaries and the stereotypes that we
boundaries and the stereotypes that we
boundaries and the stereotypes that we have it’s for a boy is senior boy to put
have it’s for a boy is senior boy to put
have it’s for a boy is senior boy to put on fishnet tights short bike shorts and
on fishnet tights short bike shorts and
on fishnet tights short bike shorts and also high heels is something that we
also high heels is something that we
also high heels is something that we don’t see every day but he did it and in
don’t see every day but he did it and in
don’t see every day but he did it and in the end it was very funny and a very
the end it was very funny and a very
the end it was very funny and a very good experience and that’s what i found
good experience and that’s what i found
good experience and that’s what i found out that when you do theater when you
out that when you do theater when you
out that when you do theater when you look at the arts you don’t necessarily
look at the arts you don’t necessarily
look at the arts you don’t necessarily have to enjoy them you just have to see
have to enjoy them you just have to see
have to enjoy them you just have to see some value in it i used to hate
some value in it i used to hate
some value in it i used to hate post-modernism i thought that it was
post-modernism i thought that it was
post-modernism i thought that it was just an excuse for people to roll around
just an excuse for people to roll around
just an excuse for people to roll around on stage wearing black unitards just
on stage wearing black unitards just
on stage wearing black unitards just thrashing on the floor but however I
thrashing on the floor but however I
thrashing on the floor but however I went to see a production called tabelle
went to see a production called tabelle
went to see a production called tabelle huge during the check off festival here
huge during the check off festival here
huge during the check off festival here in Moscow and i actually discovered some
in Moscow and i actually discovered some
in Moscow and i actually discovered some value in post-modernism and in ib
value in post-modernism and in ib
value in post-modernism and in ib theatre arts we started studying it and
theatre arts we started studying it and
theatre arts we started studying it and i went on to write my whole extended
i went on to write my whole extended
i went on to write my whole extended essay on post modernism which I would
essay on post modernism which I would
essay on post modernism which I would never have thought as Natalia one of our
never have thought as Natalia one of our
never have thought as Natalia one of our very artistic seniors here told me she
very artistic seniors here told me she
very artistic seniors here told me she always tries to go see art that she may
always tries to go see art that she may
always tries to go see art that she may not like she said that she hates a
not like she said that she hates a
not like she said that she hates a Kandinsky right am i right she hates
Kandinsky right am i right she hates
Kandinsky right am i right she hates Kandinsky however she went to the museum
Kandinsky however she went to the museum
Kandinsky however she went to the museum she looked at the piece and she actually
she looked at the piece and she actually
she looked at the piece and she actually found one that she enjoyed you don’t
found one that she enjoyed you don’t
found one that she enjoyed you don’t have to like the art that you see you
have to like the art that you see you
have to like the art that you see you just have to find some value in it also
just have to find some value in it also
just have to find some value in it also I realized that the arts and the theater
I realized that the arts and the theater
I realized that the arts and the theater are not only about delivering the
are not only about delivering the
are not only about delivering the highest level of artistic performance
highest level of artistic performance
highest level of artistic performance possible but it’s also about being a
possible but it’s also about being a
possible but it’s also about being a citizen whether it’s my involvement in
citizen whether it’s my involvement in
citizen whether it’s my involvement in the gender equality club or a tutor for
the gender equality club or a tutor for
the gender equality club or a tutor for the National Honor Society or even for
the National Honor Society or even for
the National Honor Society or even for Movember and peer helper awareness I
Movember and peer helper awareness I
Movember and peer helper awareness I found that I can use my skills as a nap
found that I can use my skills as a nap
found that I can use my skills as a nap during my community to help and to help
during my community to help and to help
during my community to help and to help bring about these negative stereotypes
bring about these negative stereotypes
bring about these negative stereotypes that we have four people and to help try
that we have four people and to help try
that we have four people and to help try and break them to give an example I
and break them to give an example I
and break them to give an example I teach English at a school for visually
teach English at a school for visually
teach English at a school for visually impaired Russian children here in Moscow
impaired Russian children here in Moscow
impaired Russian children here in Moscow these children are often ostracized
these children are often ostracized
these children are often ostracized because of their handicaps as we know in
because of their handicaps as we know in
because of their handicaps as we know in Russia people with disabilities aren’t
Russia people with disabilities aren’t
Russia people with disabilities aren’t often seen in the most positive light
often seen in the most positive light
often seen in the most positive light except I go to their school and I teach
except I go to their school and I teach
except I go to their school and I teach English in a fun way I don’t teach him
English in a fun way I don’t teach him
English in a fun way I don’t teach him the old
the old
the old textbook kind of way with books or
textbook kind of way with books or
textbook kind of way with books or grammar books no I teach through theatre
grammar books no I teach through theatre
grammar books no I teach through theatre songs performances we all device and
songs performances we all device and
songs performances we all device and hopefully this helps them learn English
hopefully this helps them learn English
hopefully this helps them learn English in a creative way release their
in a creative way release their
in a creative way release their creativity and really release themselves
creativity and really release themselves
creativity and really release themselves from the stigmas a Russian society that
from the stigmas a Russian society that
from the stigmas a Russian society that ostracize ‘as them also additionally
ostracize ‘as them also additionally
ostracize ‘as them also additionally I’ve been to around the world as many of
I’ve been to around the world as many of
I’ve been to around the world as many of you have and we should acknowledge our
you have and we should acknowledge our
you have and we should acknowledge our privilege in this regard we have the
privilege in this regard we have the
privilege in this regard we have the ability to tend to influence to impact
ability to tend to influence to impact
ability to tend to influence to impact and also to get the influence from other
and also to get the influence from other
and also to get the influence from other cultures week I saw the tribal stories
cultures week I saw the tribal stories
cultures week I saw the tribal stories acted out in Tanzania water puppet shows
acted out in Tanzania water puppet shows
acted out in Tanzania water puppet shows in Hanoi Broadway in New York City the
in Hanoi Broadway in New York City the
in Hanoi Broadway in New York City the Moscow ballet here in Russia and I
Moscow ballet here in Russia and I
Moscow ballet here in Russia and I realized how the theater has the ability
realized how the theater has the ability
realized how the theater has the ability to bring everyone together and that’s
to bring everyone together and that’s
to bring everyone together and that’s why I want to become a powerful advocate
why I want to become a powerful advocate
why I want to become a powerful advocate for human rights in the future through
for human rights in the future through
for human rights in the future through the medium of acting it’s quite easy to
the medium of acting it’s quite easy to
the medium of acting it’s quite easy to forget that actors are very important
forget that actors are very important
forget that actors are very important parts of society as was mentioned in the
parts of society as was mentioned in the
parts of society as was mentioned in the second video they’re the actions of
second video they’re the actions of
second video they’re the actions of these actors directly influenced
these actors directly influenced
these actors directly influenced everyone that is around because being
everyone that is around because being
everyone that is around because being human is in art form we constantly wear
human is in art form we constantly wear
human is in art form we constantly wear masks from the world that is around us
masks from the world that is around us
masks from the world that is around us we don’t want to show ourselves as weak
we don’t want to show ourselves as weak
we don’t want to show ourselves as weak or vulnerable boys are usually not seen
or vulnerable boys are usually not seen
or vulnerable boys are usually not seen as being able to cry or women have to
as being able to cry or women have to
as being able to cry or women have to put on a certain charm to be liked
put on a certain charm to be liked
put on a certain charm to be liked however as a stage actor I have realized
however as a stage actor I have realized
however as a stage actor I have realized that whatever that you can help people
that whatever that you can help people
that whatever that you can help people connect if you’re a little bit dramatic
connect if you’re a little bit dramatic
connect if you’re a little bit dramatic flashy if you stand out from the others
flashy if you stand out from the others
flashy if you stand out from the others from the crowd then people are more
from the crowd then people are more
from the crowd then people are more inclined to come to you and also stand
inclined to come to you and also stand
inclined to come to you and also stand out from the crowd and this is why I
out from the crowd and this is why I
out from the crowd and this is why I always wear clothes like this why I’m
always wear clothes like this why I’m
always wear clothes like this why I’m always super energetic why I’m friendly
always super energetic why I’m friendly
always super energetic why I’m friendly and I reach out to people because people
and I reach out to people because people
and I reach out to people because people want to break free from this mask and if
want to break free from this mask and if
want to break free from this mask and if you give them the opportunity than they
you give them the opportunity than they
you give them the opportunity than they will through your mask people will let
will through your mask people will let
will through your mask people will let their scope so I encourage all of you to
their scope so I encourage all of you to
their scope so I encourage all of you to wear bright colors to laugh loudly to
wear bright colors to laugh loudly to
wear bright colors to laugh loudly to talk loudly to be ready and willing to
talk loudly to be ready and willing to
talk loudly to be ready and willing to stand up for the people who do not have
stand up for the people who do not have
stand up for the people who do not have a voice thank
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