It was the fall of 2017, I was the new kid starting at a new school. It was my junior year of high school. I didn't know anyone and that's not fun for a shy kid that likes to talk with people. Being in a new school had its good things; I was able to change my style to how I always wanted to dress because I didn't have to fit the mold of who I was in my old school. I thought what's a quick way to make new friends? So, I did what I think most new kids would do, I got involved in my school.
I got involved because I saw a sign talking about the fall play and auditions were going to be the next week. So, I went and picked up an audition packet and started practicing. The play was a Charlie Brown Christmas and I wanted to be Schroeder because he played piano and I play piano. When audition day came, I went, and I was trembling with fear that I would mess up while all the other kids that I didn't know were watching. Auditions ended, and he sent us home and told us the call back list would go up on Thursday. But he stopped me on my way out and asked me something and as I was answering him, I had brought up something about me having to give someone their piano lessons. I left and didn't really think much about our conversation.
Thursday came and after three days of waiting I went and checked to see if the list was up before school started and there was no list. The whole time I was sitting in class not able to focus because I was thinking that whole class about if I didn't get in. Next class ended, and I went down stairs to check if the list was up and it was, I had a callback.
After school I went to the band room for callbacks and I sat alone because I didn't know anyone. But a few people sat down with me when they came in and started to introduce themselves to me. As callbacks went on the director had us read some lines together and then he asked me something that got me so nervous. He asked me to play the piano for him something just off the top of my head. I was so nervous I was thinking to myself what if I mess up in front of my new friends. But I played, and it went fine, and all my friends were telling my good job and I had relief. After that he sent us home and told us the cast list would go up the next day.
That day in school I didn't look at the cast list because I was sure I didn't get a part, but one of the friends I had made the day before sent me a pick of the cast list and I had gotten the part I had wanted, I was Schroeder. I was so excited to start practice with the new friends I made and the ones I would become friends with in the future. The whole reason I had joined the play was to make friends but, in the end, I had found a new hobby. I fell in love with the stage and acting, I have now been in two plays and I am starting my third musical.
