My Central Journey Research Paper

During my high school experience, I have truly embraced the arts, specifically performing arts. Tri-School Theatre (an extra-curricular, educational theatre program) has been a great opportunity where I have been able to appreciate my talents while learning about theatre with other students. Being an active leader in this program, I constantly collaborate with students for rehearsals and events; after my junior year of high school, I was nominated to be an assistant director for a children’s production, Aladdin Jr. Having much enthusiasm for the arts and promoting theatre at school, I was thrilled with this opportunity. Theatre has strengthened my self-confidence,

Before I even entered high school, I obtained a love of theater and the performing arts. I have been singing and acting since I was nine, as well as on and off dancing since three. Taking classes at a local theater really introduced me to this interest of mine. When I entered high school, an injury kept me from doing shows. But now I graduate with nine high school shows under my belt, as well as being in multiple community theater productions. Being a part of these shows made me feel a strong sense of belonging, and whether I was an ensemble or lead

I saw my first Broadway show at only seven years old and have seen over ten more since then, due to the fact I live only two hours away from New York City by train. I always enjoyed theatre, but I didn’t grow the deep love I have for it now until acting became a career option. I spent a week of the summer completely in the business world of theatre and came out knowing I had to be an actress. I dived into all things Broadway, bought as many albums as I could, watched as many interviews as possible, saved up to see more shows, but even with all of this love for

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 started getting interested in Theatre late my 7th grade year. I was in English class when Caitlynn O'Hair was talking about that the musical at the end of the year that they were doing The Lion King musical for the musical theatre program for Burnet Middle School. I wanted to watch it, but for whatever reason, I couldn't go. But, since the class she was in sounded interesting, I put it as one of my electives to take for the next year. My 8th grade year in that class was amazing, and I made lots of friends there. During that class, the teacher, Mrs. Fisher mentioned that if

Some people say that the journey is more important than the final destination. I agree with that. Last year I wanted to get stronger for softball. The school opened the weight room for girls, so that we could work out also. We got to do different types of exercises to make us stronger. If I wasn't able to go to the weight room all summer, then I wouldn't be as strong as I am now.

This past year my parents began the process of getting a divorce. Less than a week after my birthday, July 24, they had their first court date. Almost every day since then I have had a rehearsal or performance for a community theatre show. I received an unbelievable opportunity in August of this year. I was cast as a lead in one of my favorite musicals. The show was Heathers: The Musical and I had the opportunity to play Heather McNamara. The show has since ended, however the lessons I learned from the show will live with me forever. The show deals with heavy subjects such as bullying, eating disorders, suicide, depression, and date rape. Being an individual who has been bullied and has faced issues with depression, this show brought out sides of me I had never shown. This production taught me to talk about issues that may be more difficult to discuss. Heathers not only helped me get through the months after my parents’ divorce process began, but it taught me so much about myself and others. Producing a musical with such heavy content forced the cast to grow closer and to talk about issues that most teenagers face today. Theatre has become the place where I feel most

Fourteen years after that fateful day, when I saw that first musical, my love has grown. I have changed a great deal, but my love has not. Despite what other people say and believe, musical theatre is what I am destined to do. So I will keep pushing myself to become better. Because, no matter what, I'm determined to keep dancing and Singing in the

The summer of 2014, my mother signed me up for a drama camp at Steel River Playhouse. Who could have known that the adventures and experiences there would change my life forever. These incidents occurred because of my ever-loving, loyal parents and a flippant camper named Grace. Grace befriended me on the first day of camp. This first day created a joyous, light feeling. I was exhilarated that I made a friend so expeditiously. Soon, I realized that Grace was not a amiable as I thought she was. I allowed Grace to walk all over me because I was too passive to stick up for myself. Being a part of the play changed my life and it helped me overcome a problem in my life. When my mom registered me I never thought that I could ever go from a shy girl to a self-assured actress.

In the past, I fell victim to the notion of conformity that society demands. Society stresses both the importance of individuality and conformity; however, society cannot hold true to both ideals and the individual suffers— I lost my identity and sense of joy in the world. Conformity gave me the illusion that I had found a sense of belonging,

It wasn’t until my third year of college where I finally manage to find support and acceptance. Despite finding the belongingness I desired, I still felt a void within me. Even though I eventually found the acceptance I was searching for, I knew that many individuals like me would never reach that peak. I realized that

This seven day journey recording my every move was not an easy one to say the least; Feeling guilty was on the agenda most days. Recording a food journal and tracking my physical activity for seven consecutive days has opened my eyes in many ways. To start off, I am an 18 year old female in college who eats what I crave but tries to eat heathy. I exercise whenever my heart desires which is not often, but I am a full time nanny who loves a 7 month old and a 2 year old. Pushing a stroller containing a tiny human weighing around 20 pounds is my daily activity, going on walks to the park is our favorite activity during the day, if we can make it without melting on the sidewalk before we arrive at the swings. My diet consists of poultry and water,

Band is the best experience I had in my high school career. I remember the exact day when I made the Rummel/Chapelle Band. I was feeling so nervous for my audition because I did not know if I was going to make the band. I went for my audition in the director's office and played for them. I played two scales and one piece of music for them to judge me on. I came out of the office feeling relived because the audition was over, and I played wonderful. The director came out with me and told me and my parents that I had successful made the Rummel/Chapelle Band. I was so happy to start this new journey in my life. The very first thing in band is marching season. Marching season in one that is very fun and also very tiring.

What do you think makes you feel that you belong to a local community, to society, to

Though I was fortunate to receive a role in the show, I was yet again disappointed because it was not the role I wanted. Following our spring musical, I had the opportunity to receive a role in every show my school has presented. Unfortunately that was not enough for me because I continued to ruminate on the fact that I was never able to obtain the role I wanted. However, during the process of our most recent production I observed a shift in my attitude toward the situation. After the cast list was revealed and I did not earn the role I auditioned for, I took some time to contemplate on my time in our theatre department. Initially, I considered myself a failure because after three years I was still incapable of securing any of the roles that I desired. However, after a conversation with my parents and the director of the shows at our school, I was able to comprehend why I was a failure. It was not because I was inadequate in receiving any of the roles I wanted, I was a failure because I neglected to understand the lesson that this experience was attempting to teach. Although you may not secure the role of your desire, you as an actor must learn something from every character that you