I had never done theater before, but I’ve always had admiration for those who did. At the beginning of freshman year, I decided to take a risk and try it out. In this article I am writing about what happened, and my thoughts, feelings, and everything in between. There is also advice I have gotten from countless people here, so enjoy.
First Audition
My emotions were all over the place. I was excited, but mostly nervous about what to expect. People think that auditioning is competitive, but it’s a great environment to be in. When reading lines, feel free to explore a bit and have some fun with the role. You won’t always have the context for what you are saying, so try out new things. It’s definitely okay to mess up- it’s going to happen, so try not to beat yourself up about it.
First Ever Show
My first ever show was As You Like It, by Shakespeare. Opening night I was panicking so hard like: ‘Will I mess up?’, ‘Am I going to forget my lines?’, ‘What about our blocking?’, and ‘What’s my cue again???’. The moment leading up to your first appearance is very nerve wracking. But then you kind of disappear into the zone- it all becomes muscle memory. Just remember, no one in that audience knows if you made a mistake. So poker face your way through it if you mess up lines; make it seem like that was on purpose.
The People
The best part about theater is the people, hands down. The people there are some of the most supporting, sweet, fun, and fantastic people I have met. They are the type of people that will cheer you on, help with stage makeup, joke with you backstage, give encouragement, and so much more. Besides my friends group, I have never felt so happy to know a group of amazing human beings. It’s so sad that our wonderful seniors are graduating this year. I just hope they know how special they are to us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this has been an unforgettable experience for me. I intend to continue theater till I’m the one graduating. Even if I have to sell my soul to someone, I will be doing this. I highly recommend joining, it’s been fantastic. Hope this helped bring some light to the experience!
