How The Musical That Changed Me

I hurried to get dressed with a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up past my cast. I also wore a red tie and black skinny jeans. I could only sing so we had to use the track guitar. Last thing I had to do was my vocal warmups. I finished and went to the side of the stage. My mind was swirled with thoughts as the video ran and our cue was said to go on stage. My microphone was on me and I was as ready as I was ever going to be. We all ran on stage and started to play. We started with undisclosed desires. Since I didn’t have my guitar to play it gave me a chance to rest and just

The anticipation and nerves didn’t get the best of me this time. I may have been shaking a little, but thankfully no perspiration. Although, when I grabbed that microphone I felt my stomach drop. Then I belted out one of my favorite songs I had learned in church. It was then I realized that performing was my one true passion. Being a little kid, I wanted to be a popstar. The older I got I started to realize that I wanted to perform on Broadway. This little performance changed my childhood dream into a possible reality.

“There’s a moment you’ve been waiting all your life for. When you find the very reason you’re alive for.” This semester included a small moment in my life, which had an impact on my life. My love for musicals began to heighten beginning college. I have created a fifteen-hour musical soundtrack playlist, to paying $400 to watch “Hamilton: An American Musical” in Chicago. Musicals have a way of inspiring individuals and have increased my drive to work in the entertainment business. This semester, I casually looked at what musicals were playing in the Indianapolis area, and I came across the musical “Finding Neverland.” I ended up getting tickets for the October 20 show. Little did I know this show would have such an impact on me.

As a shy, reserved student, I found myself blossoming through the stage. I fell in love with the stage and auditioned for the middle school's play, A Christmas Carol. Fortunately, I was casted in the performance. I loved the experience so much that I auditioned for the next year's play and musical and got a part in those as well. The more time I spent on stage, the more confident I became. I felt like the stage was where I belonged. I had a passion for theater that began to distinguish like a flame when I entered high school.

I was volunteered to sing a solo. Even though the song I was supposed to sing was the third song of the night, I was shivering with fright. I was shaking so hard that when I was applying my eyeliner, I accidently did a winged eyeliner instead of the natural looking one. Voices in my head were telling

As I sat enveloped in her story of overcoming conclusions, she taught my heart to embrace each quirky part of myself. I identified with Elle Woods’ need to prove herself. This idea of accepting individuality provided me with the courage to audition for my first show, the Arvada Center’s production of Footloose. Since that first nerve-racking, nail-biting experience, I have come to find myself through each move I dance onstage. Getting my first big role, the Dragon in a production of Shrek, I poured my heart out, knowing the people ready to judge and mock were watching. After the show, the peers who judged my intelligence approached me, saying things like, “I never knew you could sing like that.” Through performing I found myself again. I shifted back to the girl I was, the girl who cared about her morals. I want to perform, hoping to provide audience members with the ability to connect with characters who can offer them a point of realization, as Elle Woods did for me.

"I’m so nervous,” I complained to my mom as we walked into the Waukesha Civic Theatre. “What if I’m not good enough. I haven’t even prepared that much!” It was a crisp September day and some leaves had already started changing color. On the way home from school my mom told me about a play that the theater puts on near us every year and thought I would be good for it. Since I had only heard about the audition that day, it gave me a few hours to pick my song and be prepared for whatever part they wanted me to read. The next song that came on the radio was the song “Edge of Glory” by Lady GaGa and because it was in my vocal range I thought it would be good for me. Little did I know that this audition would change my view of theater.

The morning of the dress rehearsal I go over my lines once more. The cast was told that we would go to first and second and then leave for third. Some people were so nervous they were biting, some running around with excitement. As for me I feel excited but as the show gets closer and closer my mind is having confits. We get to the stage and put on our costumes and makeup. My hands were so shaky I had to have someone else do my make up.

It was the winter of 2014 when my mother forced me to go to The Corner Health Center Theatre Troupe. I was livid, and acting at the time was something that I was terrified of. I felt as if I was a bird being pushed from the nest too early. I knew there was no possible way that I could be able to: one,talk to strangers, two, learn a script,

Seeing the massive group of people, of which some were my competition. One could hardly hear themselves think due to the loud and obnoxious sounds coming from the various different instruments scattered around the room. They too were putting the finishing touches on their assigned audition pieces. My group found a spot in one of the long hallways that we claimed as our territory then we each dispersed to find our audition rooms. I found my room relatively with ease, it was just down the hall and to the right. I saw the blank sheet of paper taped to the wall with a pencil attached to a small strand of string. I wrote my name on line

I stood in the right wing of the magnificent Gershwin Theatre in New York City, ready to go on stage in my insanely uncomfortable corset and 20 pound dress. I was surrounded by millions of props and set pieces. Backstage was packed with over forty crew members and by my side there were ten of my co-stars waiting for their cues to come barging on stage singing at the tops of their lungs. As the time approached, I gathered all my strength to lift and ‘walk’ with dignity to my position.

Since I was a little girl, the lights of the stage have called me. Later on when I saw the Broadway lights I knew that those lights were destined for me, but did I have what it takes. As time went on and I began my studies, I realized that my dream wasn’t as simple as I had thought it would be.

My heart was beating as I stood in the elevator waiting for my floor to come. The audition was on the 2nd floor in room 214. I stood outside the door 5 minutes early in hopes I might get in early. But as time passed it was 10:20 and pretty soon I was worried I had missed the room or went to the wrong place. Thankfully the judge came out and told me they were ready. The judges were all professors I had just previously spoke too except one. The marching band director was present along with the ones I spoke too which was good because I planned on trying for the marching band scholarship during this audition. I had a short talk with them explaining what I was playing as well as why I was auditioning at their school. The time came for me to play, I took a breath, relaxed every inch of my body the best I could, and got lost in the music. I forgot anyone was even there, I was so focused on my craft and what was coming out of my saxophone it didn't matter who was in the room, I was there to make music. I entered a state of bliss almost forgetting I was in an audition. After playing my first piece the judges looked pleasantly surprised. What they didn't know was that the first piece I played was the easy one. Now was time for the big moment, my big finale. Three pages of music and preparation to show off to a room full of musicians with a skillset I dream to have. One more first breath, relax, enter a state of bliss, and play. Each

It is said that you never forget your first. Well, I certainly will never forget the first play I performed in. The rush of excitement and the heat from the lights upon the stage will never escape my memory. The Three Penny Opera was the first play I performed in and I don’t mean to sound dramatic or cliché but, that experience changed my life forever. I discovered a new part of myself. A part of me that is not afraid to speak, nor is she afraid to try new things. As a result of this experience, my entire identity changed. I grew to understand that I do not have to be afraid to speak up, nor do I have to be afraid of change.

Engulfed by the pitch-black stage, I followed the sound of footsteps made by the other members of my choir. Step by step, each passed towards the center stage. My legs started to get tremulous, and my mind cluttered with every lyric and dance step I practiced for months. I was losing control of every part of me. “Next on stage we have the all-girls Diamond Bar show choir, Solitaire,” a man proudly announced as a wave of cheers followed. As the curtain slowly rose, my heart felt as if it was going to erupt. It was my first show choir performance since nearly three years, and in the back of my mind there was still a voice telling me that I can’t do it. The stage lights flashed, and at that split second, everything from the past