Macey J. Foronda/BuzzFeed

When I was in college -- and had boundless energy and time -- I noticed pretty quickly that I wasn't going to be given opportunities to perform unless I made those opportunities myself. I spent a lot of time writing and acting in my own shows alongside all my friends who also couldn't get roles. But constantly having to fight to make sure you are heard takes a toll. And by the end of college, the message had been pretty firmly drilled into my head: Lady, no one wants to see you on a stage.

I wish I hadn't listened. I wish I had known what I know now, which is that sometimes people don't want to see or hear you for reasons that have nothing to do with you.

But I know that now, and that's a start.