"When I first began working with Kirk and Scott, I was just a young kid who loved to perform but didn’t yet know what that passion could grow into. From the very beginning, they recognized something in me and chose to nurture it rather than contain it. They gave me the rare gift of never asking me to be smaller, but instead encouraging me to step into my light with confidence. Through every lesson, they poured patience, discipline, and dedication into me. These values have shaped who I am both on and off the stage. I always looked forward to my time with them, because it wasn’t just about theatre skills; it was about being seen, supported, and challenged to grow. Because of their guidance, I earned a place at my performing arts school, where I’ve spent the past five years building a future I never would have imagined without their influence. I owe so much of my success to Kirk and Scott, and I carry their lessons with me in everything I do. They believed in me before I knew how to believe in myself, and that’s a gift I’ll treasure forever."    -Marley Mendes