Dear High School Theatre,
This is a letter to you. To the stage, to the lights, to the long rehearsals and the times spent in anticipation, waiting for the announcement of the next play or musical. You are the students shaking outside the classrooms, nervous because their audition is next. You are the boy filled with joy after relieving the part he wanted, and the other boy slightly disappointed but still grateful to be a part of the production. You are the girl determined to be even better, filled with desire to improve so that she can get a lead role the next time around.You are the pre-show rituals and post-show pride, the chants in the green room and the avoidance of the unlawful words "good luck." You are the actors basking in the spotlight, and the crew members doing everything they can to ensure the show runs smoothly. You are the entire cast running around frantically, doing mic checks, makeup, and setting up for the scenes. You are the excited chatter of the audience, and the standing ovation and gleeful cheers at the end of the show. From the stress of play week to the pure adrenaline of the curtains opening on show night, you are my activity, my sport, and my passion.
You brought out my confidence. You helped me to live not only one life but many, to insert myself in the situation of another person, and act out their character onstage. You let me immerse myself in a story, and come to grounds with not only who I can be, but with who I really am. I found myself in the process of finding these other personalities, and a small part of every role that I played will stay with me forever. I am a junior in high school, but I have also been a student in the 80s, a maid, a princess, and as of recently, a child.
Thank you for welcoming me with open arms. Thank you for being all-inclusive, for accepting anyone into your likeness so long as they have the desire to perform, or provide their help and expertise towards a performance. For letting me have the experience of singing high school musical songs with my drama family, dancing around the auditoria, and blasting show tunes through the hallway. Through the good times and the bad times, the laughter, tears, and tears from laughter, thank you for letting me take part in this amazing experience. I cannot put into words the amount of gratitude that I feel, but I am looking forward to three more shows.
Yours Truly,
A proud member of the thespian society
