The past four years, I have breathed, slept, eaten, thought and immersed myself in all thing pertaining to theatre. This is where I discovered to truly work in a team, where I could be without fear of being something I am not, and where I have found peace in the maddening swirl of day to day life, ironic in the fact that theatre is a hectic world. This world is where I have made my best friends and found people I know I can count on and that I insist can depend on me. If I have learned one thing from my experiences in theatre, it is to strive and achieve
"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.
After a long day of yearbook signings and other “farewell activities,” the bell rang, marking the end of my last day of middle school. I said goodbye to my friends and teachers and stuffed the last of my books and supplies into my already full backpack. As I walked down the main hall for the final time, I laughed at how long the hall had once seemed and how short it felt now. With the anticipation of summer building in me, I walked faster and faster, almost running toward freedom, but when I reached the door marked “Chorus- Mrs. Vermillion,” I couldn’t resist the urge to stop in one last time. The chorus room was always a happy place for me, where the troubles of the school day seemed just a little bit less important. I was fond of every detail, from the loyal old piano to Mrs. Vermillion’s
All the judges were going to look at was me and only me, I had nothing to help cover up my mistakes. I took some deep breathes as I was announced, and walked out into my first formation on stage. As the music started I was doing okay, then I looked into one of the judges eyes and I blanked. I could not remember the rest of my choreography. I had let my nerves get the best of me! I had heard enough times from my instructor that the judges do not know our solos so we can improvise something. I did just that, but when I walked off that stage I was disappointed in myself. My whole family had shown up just to see me forget my solo! I could not bare to face my family and see the looks of disappointment on their faces. I went back to the dressing room to get ready for awards, as I was finished I had worked up enough courage to go see my family. As I was walking out the doors I was shocked to see my family standing in the waiting area smiling from ear to ear. I walked up to my mom crying because I thought she would be disappointed in me and her opinion matters the most to me. My mom told me that she was so proud of me because I had the courage to go out on that stage and perform all by
I began screaming my head off, ultimately waking up my entire household. I can remember the beating of my heart, sweaty palms and shaky voice. Reality then began to sink in that the musical would be on my shoulders. In that moment I began to doubt myself. I only had the experience of two plays and being in the ensemble of a musical. Could I do this? And even so how did come they chose someone like me? A million negative thoughts began running through my head, and looking back, those thoughts motivated me to work my hardest in order to prove that I belonged. Taking that last bow on the transformed stage changed my life
I was reluctant in joining the Academy because I was nervous that I wouldn’t get in. But precisely the period before my scheduled audition a ‘frienemy’ encouraged me to try out. I built the courage to walk through the audition doors and left being placed in the intermediate level; which was quite an accomplishment. Since then I have now achieved in reaching the Advance Level of the academy! My favorite memory in the academy is when my second and third period took our first trip to the Manhattan Theater Club in New York City. This trip aided tremendously in team-building and my skills of theater analysis. I am so grateful that I took the plunge and faced my fears because the Performing Arts Academy and Mrs. Baur have made me realize that my true dreams are to become an actor. The Performing Arts floor is a safe haven for many including myself, the people can drive you crazy but that's exactly what families do.
I sunk into a seat near the middle of the bus next to my friend Jasmine. Today was audition day for the Iowa All State Music Festival, a day that often felt more like cruel and unusual punishment than a celebration of music. For the choir auditions, people in one's, two's, three's, or four's traipse into unfamiliar high school classrooms to sing 7 minutes worth of acapella excerpts from complicated music to an often seemingly unimpressed or
After some soul searching and becoming personal friends with the bottom of a pint of dreyer’s mint chocolate chip ice cream, I talked to the director and was able to apply for a position on tech crew instead. This way I would still be apart of the production, but behind the scenes. It was here that I rekindled my love for theater, and it burned brighter than ever, shining a light on a myriad of new
I have not always known that theatre is what I need to do with the life that I have been given, and by no means did this realization come to me on my own. During my sophomore year, while working on an autumn play and winter musical, I noticed that people saw something special in me. This support from directors, friends, teachers, and family affirmed what I subconsciously knew to be true. Their belief in me allowed the latent thought of a life in theatre to flourish in my mind. In the past, I was too uncertain to be led by that thought because it would have made me vulnerable and left me exposed, but knowing that the people I love believe in my talent has provided an environment for me to come into my identity, which is wholly intertwined with
The American Alliance for Theater and Education wrote, "Playwriting original works and dramatic presentation of existing works can help to build the self-esteem and communication skills of high school students. The act of performing can help students and youth recognize their potential for success and improve their confidence.”(par. 20-21) Walking into my first theater class was a ghostly intimidating experience. I was surrounded by people who had a minimum of three years of experience over myself.Theater changed my life. Although the realization took me some time, I recognized I was original. Theater became my voice without speaking, which unlocked, and opened the door to directing and other great opportunities. In the world of theater, in the arts period, a thousand people could receive the same training and you could still distinguish one person’s uniqueness from the other. No other person carries my power of the pen because we don’t think the same. Although we may have like thoughts, the our thought processes differ. With proper time and theatrical training I allowed my hobby to blossom.
The first time I walked on to the stage of my high school theatre I knew I was in my element. Though as a 14 year, I could on the imagine how theatre would impact my life. Almost four years later I have participated in 12 shows, three of which I worked as a crew member, and the other 9 as an actress. My sophomore year I lived in Rome, Italy and discovered an English theatre program, through this program I became friends with 15 Italian high school students and helped them learn English while doing what I loved. The following year I moved back to my original high school in America, and due to the cabler of the theatre department, I was able to travel Edinburgh, Scotland and perform in the International Fringe Festival. This experience taught me dedication beyond anything I could have ever
At age twelve, I took hours away from after school activities to make professional theater a priority. I devoted myself to my craft, missed weeks of school, and some opportunities to “just be a kid.” I auditioned for movies, tv shows, commercials, off broadway shows, and broadway shows. I loved auditioning and showcasing my ability to others. I particularly enjoyed making the casting directors smile and laugh.
I didn’t want to play the lead! I understand that I wanted to be more out there, but I wanted to take it slow. I wanted to work with the lights! That night, I started thinking about excuses to not play the lead. I pushed all the negative thoughts away and thought more about how this could positively affect me. It’d give me a chance to truly do something I enjoy regardless of what people think. If I got on stage, I can’t run off. These thoughts were the fuel behind me accepting the part. I wouldn’t left fear control my life forever and with only a week left, I had a lot of work to
I have been a performer my entire life, and want to continue to impact those around me through theater. In my life, I have not yet encountered such a raw reflection of human life and emotions. My love of theater began at a young age, and since then I have seen how the twists and turns of plays and musicals can deeply impact an audience. My freshman year I actually performed at my school's brother school and played Celisse in Godspell. My sophomore year I played Mrs. Harcourt in Anything Goes, my junior year I was the Wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast, and this year I was the Bird Woman in Mary Poppins. My favorite performances, however, is Spring Sing, a student-run production where classes compete for bragging rights. I have been an actor in Spring Sing since my freshman year and my class hopes to win this year!
While I was chowing down on my scrumptious breakfast like I hadn’t eaten in months the leaders of the camp explained to us with big grins on their faces that could not be trusted what was going to happen today “Alright everyone today we will have a relax day so we will walk to the market have some free time there, come back and play some fun mini games and…” I swore their grins got even bigger like the joker had just killed batman “We will be doing a theatre night!” “Uuggghhhhh,” chorused every single poor unfortunate soul in the room. I was alright with a theatre night since I had some experience in drama club but there was no way in hell I was going to perform in front of everyone.