Personal Narrative: A Career In Theatre

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

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 would be the only fourth grader to attain a lead role featuring my own solo. It was an incredible feat because I never thought I could achieve the role against such tremendous competition. I was dedicated to performing perfectly spending hours rehearsing both in and out of school. From then on, I knew I could achieve anything as long as I had dedication and perseverance by my side. The following year, I went on to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast and when that spotlight was gleaming, I was at home. My directors, Ms. Qualshie and Mrs. Badillo, had been remarkable examples guiding me to be a cooperative team player. Every role had a purpose allowing us to work as a well-oiled

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

Before I became interested in Spelman college, I knew the type of education that I wanted to receive. I wanted an education that would cater to my many endeavors. I wanted to learn wholly, passionately and creatively. During NSO, when Dr. Burnett spoke, I realized receiving a liberal arts education is more than learning it is an act of resilience, and an act of courage.

My name is Samantha Norton and I'm an Adjunct professor with the Theatre & Dance Department. I teach acting 110.

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,

I joined crew and painted sets, worked the curtains, helped the prop master, and was a stage hand. I did not audition until the fall of my junior year for A Christmas Carol. I received the part of the Ghost of Christmas Future and caroler. Then in the spring I auditioned and was given the role of Emily Parrish in Phantom of the Soap Opera the Musical. I also started auditioning for shows at Muncie Civic Theatre and got into The Little Mermaid Jr. and Once on this Island Jr. both in which I was chorus. Each time I stepped on that stage I experienced the same thrill. The same rush of jittery ecstasy that I experienced for Romeo and Juliet. I was addicted.

It wasn't until I was twelve that I realized I wanted to pursue musical theatre as a career. I was

Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I have searched and searched for a talent that would give me a unique identity to make me stand out from my peers. When I was five years old, I was given the chance to be in a musical in our city's community theatre, PMT. This musical was "The Wizard of Oz", and I played the role of a munchkin in the Lollipop Guild. This initially sparked a great interest in theatre, and I fell in love with acting. I had an amazing mentor for my youth acting career, the late Jack Ewing. He played Harold Hill in PMT's production of "The Music Man", while I had the opportunity to play the role of Winthrop, the young boy that helps Harold Hill become a better person. (Jack later died a year before I had the chance to play the role of Harold Hill in my high school's production of "The Music Man Jr.") When I was about nine, PMT dissolved as an organization and therefore there was no community theatre around me for years, which put a setback in my interest and talent for theatre.

My first introduction to the performing arts starts around the age of seven when I was chosen to be the narrator in my elementary school play, A Very Quiet Cricket. I was chosen due to my accelerated reading level and articulation skills to simply stand in the middle of the stage and read the book, A Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle, while the rest of my peers acted out the story line. The book was centered around a cricket trying to find his “voice” in the world and just like the cricket and I like to believe this is when I found mine in theater.

I volunteer for a theater class to help them move their props around. A problem came up when they had some people who had to quit being part of the play, and they needed people to fill their roles. I offered my help, but I had no idea how acting worked and the thought of a stage made me scared. The first thing I thought of doing was to go out and make some friends in this area. When I was able to know some of the people by name the play became fun, rather than

My goal and main objective is to be an actor, that people who feel alone can connect to. When I was really down, I felt like there was no one I could connect to; except for the characters I would see in movies and tv shows. It was the characters that I saw myself in, that gave me hope. The characters actors play bring a new sense of belonging to the people who watch them and that's something I want to payback for the hope I was given.

It’s an incredible feeling to exist in an entirely new world; in someone else’s story and dwell. Once I discovered acting, I became fervent about developing this craft and using it to bring delight to others through service and performance, in school, or in my case, on a gap year.

The day I joined theatre was the day my life changed forever. It has made me the person I am today and altered me from the inside out. When my first day of high school came to a close, I said to my mom, “I found my people”. And I did. Becoming a thespian made me realize I could be myself, even though I love getting to be someone else onstage.