CHRISTIE (PTW graduate)

"I sort of grew up at PTW. I was here from the time that I was eight or nine until I went to college. A long history, lots of memories. Once I started, I couldn't stop. I took every single class. I felt like as I was growing the school was growing and every year there more and more classes, and I defenitely took all of them and did all the shows.

It was always about having fun. I was always learning, but it was always fun. I always looked forward to class. It was never the stereotypical ballet teacher who, you know, slapped her cane on your feet or whatever. I think everything about it was fun. PTW was a way to do what I love in a really nice, warm, supportive environment, as opposed to a place where everybody's competing with each other.

I work for a company called Scholastic Entertainment developing TV shows and films for kids, family audiences. PTW basically solidified this love I have for theatre and film and the arts. PTW helped me just to be a more confident person and a good speaker. It's a big part of it.

I made very very special friends--so many friends over the years. And the Kravitzes are really special people who defenitely added to my childhood. What's special about PTW is the people who run it, that they really care.

I didn't make a career out of performing. But my days with PTW were a major force in shaping me into the person I am today. And I still sound pretty good singing in the shower."