Theatre is one thing that is hard to describe. It's an experience, a love, an artistic expression. It is something that will forever change you if you find your way into it. That is what it has done for me. It's so hard for me to just spew out what I love about it because I can't find the right words. It's just something that's in me, something that'll never leave. Let's start from the beginning so it takes me longer to cry.
It all started on a chilly fall day in my ninth period class during my freshman year of high school. It was English and the secretary had made an announcement on the loud speaker that anyone interested in going out for the musical was to meet after school in the auditorium. After seeing the past few shows they put on at my school, I decided then and there that I should go and see what the whole deal was. I got there and I sat my behind in the auditorium to find out that the musical we would doing in the spring was "Annie"! I was kind of excited because that was the only musical I was very familiar with.
Before then I had no musical theatre experience whatsoever! I sang in the choir and danced in talent shows, but never acted in a full two-hour show. I went in being a little nervous, but not really dreading anything because I didn't know what to expect. I sang "NYC" and "Easy Street," auditioned as the character of Rooster, and danced to "Easy Street" as well. The cast list came out and I found out I didn't get Rooster, but a role that I will forever be grateful for, Drake the butler. He ended up being one of the six prominent characters in the show with almost as much as stage time as the red-headed orphan herself.
This character was a blast to play because it was me in a nutshell: a guy who tries to be his best, but always finds a way to be fun and silly. I got to hop up behind a couch, interacted with someone in the audience every night, and made people laugh. What changed me about this role was the fact that complete strangers came up and told me I was a star and to always stick with this. This made my heart full because this was the first time I had done anything to this magnitude, and people told me I was great. I would almost burst into tears each night because more and more people came up to me and told me how much fun they had watching me.
"Annie" was truly an experience I will never forget and will forever be grateful for. The following year we did the wacky musical "The Drowsy Chaperone." When that hit, I was in my "I'm clearly a star and I'll get whatever part I want" phase. It wasn't apparent to those doing the casting, but to me, no one could touch me. I was so wrong, oh so wrong. That year I got male dance captain, but no actual speaking role--until an incident occurred and I got a tiny role as "Head Reporter." That year I learned it's not all about me and that I have to work for recognition, which I didn't do that year. I still had a lot of fun and enjoyed the show so much. The following year, though, was another year that I am truly grateful for.
It was my junior year and the show was "Crazy for You." It was a show about Bobby Childs and his quest to Nevada to shut down a theatre. However, he then falls in love with a girl named Polly (whose family owns the theatre) and then his mission becomes to save the theatre and be with Polly. It was a musical I will not forget because it was the most fun I have had on stage (besides "West Side Story"). I loved the music, choreography, and my character. I played Perkins that year and I had so much fun with that role. Even though I had only three lines I made sure I played that part till I couldn't anymore. I was also fortunate to become one of the cowboys, because some of the original cowboys quit and made way for me. This equaled more stage time for me, hence the fun because anytime I get a chance to be on stage I get to pour my heart out every single second I'm on that stage.
However, the biggest thing that happened to me was something completely out of left field. Henry Mancini is a very prominent composer from my county. Every year there is an award ceremony celebrating all the high school musicals in my area called the Henry Mancini Musical Theatre Awards. I had the honor of being nominated for "Noteworthy Performance by an Individual" that year. It was one of the greatest moments in my life because it further solidified the fact that this is something I was born to do because experts in this field saw my performance and felt it was worthy of recognition. I didn't win, but I am forever grateful for it because it let me know I belong and that I found where I belong.
My senior year we put on "Mary Poppins" and I played Policeman. That year it was so hard because I was letting go of a program that had done so much for me and gave so much to me. It was painful because it would be the last time I performed on that stage. Of course I cried, but I performed with all my heart and soul because I wanted to show what I would be remembered for years after I graduated. It was a fantastic show and yet another one where I had so much fun.
Then came big old college. I wasn't sure for the longest time what I would go to college for, but then I realized theatre is what I'm meant to do. I then applied to RMU as a communications/theatre major. I didn't get cast in the shows the first semester, but the second semester was a different story--actually, a "West Side Story"! I was honored to be cast as Moose, a Puerto Rican gang member in the Lincoln Park and RMU collaboration production. I could honestly say this was the most fun I have had on stage. I got to mambo, whoop some butt, and act manly for the first time. Every night was so special because I truly connected to and loved the show. It was definitely a show I will never forget and a show that will always be in my heart.
Theatre has taught me to be myself and to never be afraid of what people have to say about me. It gave me a life that I never knew I would have and a new mindset on life that I never thought I would have. It became a place where I felt accepted and where I felt I belonged. Before doing the show I had no idea who I was or what I would do. That was a dark period in my life because I was struggling with a lot and theatre became my outlet, my freedom. Theatre taught me lessons and gave me a truly remarkable gift, friendship. I really can't say enough about how much I love theatre and how much I have to thank those who gave me opportunities to discover what I love.
I want to thank the directors at RMU for giving me my first college show experience. Now for a more emotional thank you: a thank you to Mrs. Allison Dalcamo. If you're reading this, I want to truly thank you for giving me a new life and new opportunities. You have changed my life and you know that. You gave me a love, a soul, a passion that I can't be more grateful for. Thank you so much for everything. Theatre has changed my life and will continue to with every show I do. It has truly "changed me for the better."
Curtain.
