I’ve always felt very attuned to, and at home in, the gay community. Annaleigh Ashford More Quotes by Annaleigh Ashford More Quotes From Annaleigh Ashford There are certain performers that the gay community receives and recognizes with love, and my whole life, I've always responded to those same artists. Annaleigh Ashford gay community artist I played Tina Denmark in Ruthless the Musical when I was 9 at the Theatre on Broadway in Denver. Annaleigh Ashford denver theatre musical I grew up listening to cabaret. At 7 and 8 years old, I was already singing like a club performer. Annaleigh Ashford singing listening years My mom is a gym teacher, and shes not musically inclined, but she always wanted to help me out with music as best she could. Annaleigh Ashford mom helping teacher I was born and raised in Denver, CO. Annaleigh Ashford born-and-raised denver born I made my performance debut in New York City downtown on the Lower East Side in college doing awkward performance art as a go-go dancer at Lady Starlight's Party. And I never thought that my love for mediocre performance art and bad mime would ever come to use in my career as an actor. But my fantasies came true and I got to play Maureen in Rent. Annaleigh Ashford college new-york art The people I see be the most successful are the people who have an inner confidence and an inner strength that comes from the character they display away from the stage and from what their parents taught them. Annaleigh Ashford confidence strength character people Animals are completely grounded in their root chakra. Annaleigh Ashford root animals grounded I took obedience, agility, and shepherding with my dog. Annaleigh Ashford took agility obedience dog I always have multiple ladybugs around because they're lucky, and they're good for flowers and the environment. Annaleigh Ashford flowers good environment lucky We had a cabin in the mountains - and I remember, one year around this time, a moose came down the river, and one night he came to our cabin and hung out on the back porch for hours. They're really, really, really big animals. And dangerous, especially if they're a momma. Annaleigh Ashford river time remember night I have always known mosquitoes love me, but they really love me in Central Park. Annaleigh Ashford love-me me always love I'll be, like, grocery shopping or doing something totally mundane, and once a day, you'll hear a Cyndi Lauper song on the radio. It is astounding what an icon she is, not just in popular music but in popular culture. Annaleigh Ashford day you music culture I'm really excited to share cabaret, the art form, not just with the generations that are above me, but also my generation and the generation under me. I think it's an art form that's incredibly important, and I think that my generation is a little unfamiliar with it. Annaleigh Ashford generation think me art I love finding ways to make familiar characters into someone unique. Annaleigh Ashford finding someone unique love In 'Kinky Boots,' I looked for moments to be bold, showing Lauren's gutsiness and smarts. She's a little bit kooky now, too, and I love me some kooky. Annaleigh Ashford love-me me moments love I think there's something beautiful about the art of making art, and it just will live and breathe. Annaleigh Ashford live think beautiful art I loved reading 'Anne of Green Gables' and 'Little Women' and Jane Austen. Those were times when people really did have only one true love in their life. Annaleigh Ashford true-love women love life I'm a modern girl with old-fashioned sensibilities. Annaleigh Ashford old-fashioned modern girl Vocally, it's important to sing every day. It's a muscle, and you have to keep it in shape. Annaleigh Ashford every-day day you important