"Dear Markus,"

NICE!

Dear Markus,

They say to teach is to touch a life forever, and I have no doubt in my mind that that is true. I knew that this class would change my life forever, and it has, ever since the first day. What you teach is more than just an acting technique; it’s a lifestyle. I know that sounds strange, but the things you have taught me go much farther than just how to act. I have found out so much about myself and the world around me, and I continue to do so by applying the things you teach me to my everyday life. You have given me the best advice that anyone has ever given me, and I will never forget it. 

I see the truth everywhere and in everyone. I know what theirs is, but now, I also know what mine is. I’m able to recognize it at any given moment. I can stop struggling for words and stop thinking and just know, and those moments are starting to happen more and more frequently. You give me courage to be myself, and you’ve given me something that nobody can ever take away: self-worth. At the end of the day, I know what I know and who I am and what my truth is. I know what the truth is, and I’m not afraid of it anymore. Now I know that it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to cry. What it’s not okay to do is hold myself back for fear of being too much of myself. I always remember that. 

I know that if you saw this you’d simplify it and say you were just doing your job and teaching me how to act and that all that other stuff is extra; all that other stuff is what I gained myself. I can’t tell you how many more opportunities I have now and how useful this is to me. It saved me, in a way. This is probably one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, but I have never loved a class more than this one, and I thank God that there are two years of it for me to take and that I started as a freshman. I gained eight friends whom I love so much and who I trust my secrets and life with. I know that they care about me more than I know. Of course, it also helps to know that if anyone ever hurt me you’d take care of it. I know you’d shrug this off, but you really are amazing. I know you’re just living the way the whole world should: truthfully. I’ve learned so much this semester, and I can never thank you enough for it. I can’t wait for next semeseter!

Oh, and I also learned how to apply to what you teach us to acting. 

Thank you so much,

Ali