The Many Voices of Sacred Heart

Phoebe Kleehamer ‘26: on Foundation

I am a first year drama student at NYU Tisch. I am completing my primary acting training at the Atlantic Acting School. 
     
Sacred Heart is my foundation. My education at ASH has given me the skills necessary to build a stable structure for my life moving forward. I am confident that I will be able to achieve further success because I have been given the skills necessary to do so.      
       
At Sacred Heart, I was taught not to fear failure when seeking success. I was encouraged to apply this skill over the course of my college search. I am aware that opportunity will only appear if I seek it out and Sacred Heart taught me how to do so, without the burden of fear. Now, I can feel confident that I am where I am supposed to be.        
 
Sacred Heart made me a more well rounded person. I was not only taught to value academics, but I was inspired to further explore my artistic interests. Through my involvement in the theater department, I found a passion for telling stories. Luckily, Sacred Heart encouraged me to follow that passion in my higher education. Not only was my artistic work supported by both faculty and peers, but it also critiqued and improved in the same way as my academics. This allowed me to truly grow as an artist and inspired me to take risks in my artistic exploration.
   
Walking out of the Colton Fine Arts Center after my final show at ASH, I felt surprisingly comfortable. While I was sad to move on, I also expected to be scared. Instead, I felt proud of everything I had accomplished on that stage, but I also felt ready to move forward. It was strange to leave with younger cast members knowing I was leaving for good. Still, I was glad to know that they would continue making memories of their own and one day experience the same joy looking back.