I was supposed to be a sports superstar. It’s in my genes. My parents were successful high school athletes and they still wake up at 5 a.m. to run more miles than I drive in my car on a daily basis.

As a high energy, first-born child, my parents were eager to watch me succeed in any sport that would have me running out of energy. I was encouraged to find where I fit best.

I tried out soccer first. I anxiously tested out the position of goalie, but I was more concerned with perfecting my cartwheel and dodging the ball threatening to grant me a bloody nose than keeping the goal clear.

In elementary school I joined a summer tennis camp with my best friend. The racket seemed to be a natural extension of her arm. I assumed it would be as easy for me as it was for her, but after countless swings and misses, my diva-self wrinkled her nose and refused to go back.

I tried track and field, which I didn’t like as much as I thought I would. I was heaving too hard to be able to talk to anyone on the long, boring runs.

Finally, I decided to give lacrosse a try. It helped me funnel my aggression by slyly knocking others over when the referee turned his head,  something I really enjoyed, but I never fit in on the team.

One day the realization hit me: I had already found my niche in junior high.

Hello, my name is Noa Raasch and I am an active participant in musical theater.

People turn their head and snicker when I announce what I do for physical activity, but I know they just don’t understand.

They can judge me after they endure six hour dance rehearsals, which have me sweating through my clothes, singing until my throat is raw and actively spewing all of my energy out in two hour periods night after night.

Sure, musical theater isn’t regularly covered in the sports pages of city newspapers and announcers aren’t present at matinees, but I believe anything involving sweaty, passionate people should be considered serious physical activity. Actors are athletes too.