Siena's Story

Siena's Story: Navigating Dyslexia Through Theatre

When I was diagnosed with dyslexia and dyscalculia in elementary school, I often felt different from my classmates. Reading assignments took longer, memorizing information could be frustrating, and some school tasks felt much harder for me than they seemed for others.

At the same time, I discovered something that made me feel confident: performing.

Through theatre, music, and dance, I found a place where creativity, hard work, and determination mattered more than how quickly I could read a page. While learning scripts and lyrics sometimes required extra effort, I developed strategies that helped me succeed both in the classroom and on stage.

Over the years, performing arts taught me an important lesson: having dyslexia does not limit what you can achieve. It simply means that you may learn differently.

Today, I continue to pursue my passion for theatre while advocating for students who may be facing similar challenges. I created Dyslexia on Stage to share resources, encouragement, and practical strategies with other young performers who learn differently.

I hope this project reminds students that their challenges do not define them. Their talent, perseverance, and passion do.

— Siena De Maria

In this student-produced feature story by Gulliver Prep Raider Vision published in 2025, I share how dyslexia has shaped my educational journey and how theatre helped me build confidence, resilience, and a love for learning.