Personal Narrative: The Play

We were led into a fair sized, colorfully lit room and everyone was told to take a seat anywhere they would like. I sat three rows back and five seats in on stage right. No one sat in front of me and no one sat beside me. I was alone in the isle all to myself. The only word I would utter in this room would be “present” after they called for attendance. After a brief disclaimer from the Director of how this was only a rehearsal, we were warned that the play may be vulgar, dealing with unsavory subjects including, but not limited to: homophobia, bullying, drugs, eating disorders, swearing, and suicide. I was more than slightly astonished at how we freshman had been on campus for no more than four hours and were already being exposed to a production such as this.

The teacher introduced me to her students. Then she stepped back and gave me her classroom’s center stage. “Wow!” “Now that was something.”

During my junior year, all high school students of the Coachella Valley were given the opportunity to audition for the All Coachella Valley Honor Band, with a guest conductor H. Robert Reynolds. This was a significant educational opportunity I took advantage of. The audition consisted of a couple of scales, and excerpts from the music that was going to be performed on the day of the concert. When the day came I sat in front of the judge with my music and clarinet, where my nerves began to rise. Before I began to play my heart began to pound along with my hands beginning to sweat. Throughout my audition I had a few mistakes,but I stayed persistent and completed my audition. After I finished my audition, the judge said I had done great, I was

I had been in band for about two years and today was the day Mr. Heggins would put us to the test that determined if he would let us try out for honor band or not. I was excited, but also very fearful. What if I didn’t do well and had to hear him say “maybe next time” I was tired of hearing that. I had worked so hard and I just wanted a chance to audition. To be able to audition for honor band would be great, just a chance, and if I didn’t make it, there was always next year, I just wanted to try.

I was the only one who was fearful for what was about to happen because the humiliation of being unprepared to perform in front of the whole school left me with a sense of angst. Color guard was just called up to perform and as the music started, cheers were ringing through the gym. Everyone seemed excited for the performance, yet I remember everything going in slow motion: students yelling, teachers clapping, and yet my girls looked clueless. This was the moment I was dreading since before the school year started.

I walked down the hallway, pacing myself. I was expecting someone to shriek in horror or someone to push me to the ground. To my surprise, everyone just kept on talking and ignored me. A couple of kids glanced in my direction and smirked at me. My best friend gushed at how cool my glasses were. My teacher didn't even glance at me twice when he told me to sit down.

Standing outside the door I felt a sense of relief, but I also felt like a failure. I had spent hours preparing for this audition only to fail in a matter of seconds. When the final callbacks were posted and my name was not listed I was reminded yet again of my failure. However, I knew that this was not a true indication of my musical talent. I was accepted in my district band and that is what I am still proud of

I started to doubt the video. I mean we laughed at it, but would anyone else? I had seen so many other videos that week and none of them got much of a reaction from the class. A chuckle, maybe, but nothing more than that. I expected the same. So the day I showed it in class, I just said my name and pressed play. Honestly, I just wanted to get it over with. There was a few chuckles before, “I won’t miss you anyway, you trick”, the class erupted. There aren’t words to express how good I felt in that moment. That day and all week, I was overwhelmed with praise, from some people I didn’t even know. By Friday, all of Mrs. Freda’s classes had seen it and I became somewhat a celebrity, Andin too. All anyone talked about in class was our video; every other video was compared to it, but none of them came close. The most profound thing I remember is that everyone kept asking what’s next. “Are you going to be in the play?” “Are you going become an actress, now?” I never thought about becoming an actress before. Yet, I found myself really considering this path, but I wasn’t going to dive in. I wanted to prove myself, one video wasn’t enough. I convinced Andin and together, we set to work on a 2nd script which we shot over the summer. We put both of the videos on YouTube and the 2nd, The Housewives of Rome 2, got twice as many views. I couldn’t believe it.

After weeks of preparation, the cafeteria and lobby by the auditorium were transformed into a detailed airport scene, successfully setting the mood for the show. The actors and actresses managed to switch into numerous different costumes throughout the course of the show, sing every key flawlessly, and put on a great show. The spring musical was also the last AHA show that the seniors were be able to participate in, making the Sunday show a special one. “It's very bittersweet saying goodbye to this family that I've been a part of for the past four years,” said Jessica Boccassini ’18, who is a member of the ensemble and also the Dance Captain/Student Choreographer. “On one hand, it's difficult to imagine my life without seeing everyone at rehearsal everyday. On the other hand, I'm so proud of how much everyone has grown and developed their skills over these past few years and I'm excited to see what new and exciting performance opportunities my future

My anxiety curled into my stomach, as I broke into a sweat and my hands began to feel clammy. When it was my turn to audition, I sat on the hard wooden stool and began to play my piece. The mesmerizing tune rang through the room and my swift fingers glided smoothly along the the keys. I could feel my apprehension of the competition disappearing, and but was still concentrated in performing the piece to the best of my abilities. As the end of the song neared, my heart nearly skipped a beat as I accidentally played a noted for longer duration than intended. The entirety of my audition had been ruined. This mistake had probably cost the entire

Three days after the cast list came out there was a first readthrough of the script. When i first showed up my drama teacher, Mrs. Carrie Jo Vincent, said something that sent shivers running down my spine. “Dylan, can I talk to you for a second?” One of the single scariest phrases to ever hear from a teacher, mind you. What follows was one of the most humbling moments I have ever experienced. Mrs. Vincent did not spare my feelings in the slightest. “How dare you think you are that important,” and “You got one lead, you are not entitled to anything.” I couldn’t help but leave that conversation with my tail between my legs. Mrs. Vincent had effectively destroyed this ego that I had let myself build up, and thoroughly showed me that I was not more important than anyone

I remembered the first audition I have ever done before. It wasn't a real audition. Like the one i'm doing now. It was a school play. I was in the chorus.Not really a part, but this was no school play. This was a real business theater. Not everyone got a part. In school plays everyone had a part no matter how horrible you are.

“Hello Everyone, It’s great to see you all again” she said, looking at all of our faces. “Before we do anything I want to congratulate everyone who got a main part.” she says and then I elbow Cassidy and she grinned.”Andy C, who will play the part that Troy was in the old movies” A smallish blonde boy with blue eyes steps forward.” Alison M, who will be playing the part Gabriella played, Erin M who will play the part Sharpay played, Michael B for the part Ryan played, Chris P the part Chad played and lastly Cassidy P , playing the part of Taylor.” Roni finishes sighing like she’s exhausted. “If your paper did not say a role stay here if it did walk over with that person over there,” she points over to a dude standing on his phone. I stayed put like Roni told me too with a bunch of other people. Everyone seems to be a little nervous or scared and I don’t really know why. Once everyone that’s gone is supposed to be Roni comes back up to

“ today is the big day everybody your parents will be very excited to see you on stage.”(26) Then she took us to the cafeteria so we could rehearse with the other classes.(15) The teacher said

In reality, though, I had made friends mercifully early on in my freshman year. The theatre teacher’s office was a sort of haven for kids who could perform perfectly timed, immaculately annunciated dialogues onstage, but often struggled to remember their own name when it came to talking to people in real life. I fit in perfectly.