The School Drama Club At My Middle School

As the audition approached, I avoided it as much as I could. I was so preoccupied with making sure my mom knew how much I did not want to audition that I barely prepared. The week of, I was so overcome with anxiety and the fear of making a fool of

Over the past 3 years at Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School I've been able to blossom into a culture of music and theater. I started choir in 6th grade, along side doing that years musical. Music and theater weren't new to me at that point, for I knew what it's like to dance to loud music in my room, and what it's like to sit through musicals and plays my older sisters did. And I was eager to star in my own musicals and concerts. That’s when "Shakespeare Comes to Calamity Creek" showed me what it's like to be in a performance, and how much work it takes outside of it. That it takes more than just the time at rehearsal to make a show great. How it takes a couple of hours just to remember lines, or how it takes a couple of rehearsals to really get

When wanting a lead or supporting role in a musical at Westminster Christian School, a person must attend multiple auditions. An audition is period of time where the audition committee—the director, producer, vocal coach, and a few other people—get a glimpse of your vocal and acting abilities. During this short snippet of time a hopeful actor or actress must astonish the audition committee in hopes of getting the role of their choice. Auditions are critical as they will determine the role that you receive, so if you really desire a certain role you must be prepared to astound the audition committee.

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 came into my audition only auditioning for the ensemble, leaving the audition I ended up receiving the titular role of Pippin. There was also a dance audition, where we were asked to learn the choreography to All that Jazz from the musical Chicago, this was a challenging experience because I have had no professional dance training but I ended up doing very well and responding well to the choreographer and her teachings. This whole process helped me to develop my confidence and social skills. The auditions were the most like professional auditions I’ve ever attended, and therefore allowed me to better understand what the real musical theatre industry is like and give me a taste of what it would be like if I continued onto large productions. I was very lucky to receive the lead role, as I didn’t even audition for it, despite not seeing this at the time. There was a long break between auditions and the beginning of rehearsals, almost three weeks. This seemed like a very long period of time due to not being able to tell any of my fellow cast mates that I had received a

The auditions were in January of 2012. I did not know of the results of my performance, and neither did Mr. Carter. I began to put it off until for the rest of the day. I really did not know what to think. I believed that it was a successful audition, but my doubts had come into play, and the thought of it all started to just make me nervous. I mean, how could a child, who knew little about music, possibly accomplish such a

To tell the truth, I didn’t want to audition. It was my brother, Landon, who actually forced me into the room to take the first step towards increasing my self-confidence, and expanding my horizons. I immediately felt welcome. It was as though I had known the people in the Nooksack Valley Drama Club for my entire life. They showed me what it meant to stand up for myself. I found my own voice both literally and metaphorically as an advocate for myself and any others who needed it. As I continued, the roles for which I auditioned increased in difficulty until I began to be cast in lead roles which were physically and emotionally challenging. Through these difficult roles, I came to love and value my drama family even more due to their continual support. They taught me the importance of patience, empathy, strong relationships, and of being

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 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.

She had somehow managed to nab front row seats the day before the opera, and I was thrilled. My mom and I were bawling our eyes out towards the end of the opera, and it absolutely blew both of us away. A little spark was ignited in my heart and I knew that it was the start of something big. I understood deep down that I loved performing onstage and that I loved musical theater, but this was something new and exciting for me. A way to perform without dialogue and only song? Count me in. I was drawn to singing like a moth to a light, and knew that this is where I wanted my life to go from that instant on. After embarking on my classical singing journey, I feel as if I have come full circle. Now whenever I go to NATS competitions, I notice younger competitors are looking up to me and asking me questions, something I could’ve never imagined happening to me when I was younger. Now, I’ve competed in the Classical Singer Competition, and at the NATS Nationals conference, which I am proud to have placed second in.

"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.

I wish that Jason could sing with me but there was no argument when Echo told me the song only required one set of vocals. After getting lost in my worried thoughts for a minute, my mind went back to reality when the lights dimmed and the crowd got quiet. My heart raced and it took all my strength to stand still and hold back tears. "Now everyone, this is our last entry for the competition but I've heard great things from this group and am sure they will impress you. Now playing the song (song name here) is (school name here) Middle School's Junior Music Group!" The announcer said in an excited voice. My stomach sank when he basically told the crowd to have high expectations but I knew I couldn't chicken out now. The curtains started to separate and bright lights started to blind me from the large crowd, which was good in this case. I knew now that I was facing the biggest challenge of my life and that if I failed to complete this challenge, my dreams of a musician would collapse, so I didn't take this lightly. I adjusted my posture one more time and with trembling hands I signaled Tori to begin her

Now that I could see beyond the audition, I remembered why I had wanted to be in the ensemble in the first place, and I desperately wanted to know if I had made the cut. After what seemed like endless waiting, Mrs. Vermillion finally posted the list. My eyes immediately went to the Soprano column. When I saw my name, I hardly dared believe it. Slowly, the realization that this was not some mistake began to sink in. It was the most incredible feeling in the world, like I could have flown if I wanted to.

“Don’t get your hopes up, you're not good enough Mia, you're never going to make it.” It was a warm muggy night, the air still as I layed in my bed unable to sleep. The next morning the letter was supposed to come, to tell me if I got the audition for the New York City Ballet Company. I didn’t expect to get the audition and wasn't sure I really wanted it in the first place.

The production process for “The Audition” was unlike any other show I’ve been a part of. The scenes were rehearsed and broken up into sections that were often blocked out of order, and other elements of the show like the dancing and singing, also started out as separate entities from the rest of the show. This came with multiple challenges, but many of them worked themselves out in the end. The dance and choreography was especially exciting for me, because it is something I enjoy and have a talent for. That being said, there were still challenges that came along with it. I had to learn how to teach dance to people who have never set foot inside a dance studio which is no easy task. Luckily, the more