I began high school as a shy teenager who was afraid of nearly anything and everything- I was scared to talk to people in fear of rejection, I was scared to be loud because I didn’t want people to think I was obnoxious, and I was genuinely just scared to truly be myself. However, I eventually ventured out of my shell and graduated high school as a confident, young woman, having drama club to thank for that.
As a freshman, I was very insecure and shy so I remained quiet throughout the school day. Of course, I would talk to the people that I knew, but I never really tried to talk to new people or joined any clubs to make friends. I was so afraid of being disliked that I didn’t even give myself the opportunity to be liked in the first place.
To my closest friends, it was no secret that I loved to sing and dance. So when they saw that our school’s drama club was having a spring musical, they immediately encouraged me to sign up. Although I was always so closed up, they saw potential in me, which gave me the confidence to really consider joining drama club. However, all of my insecurities pushed that sliver of possibility away and resulted in me simply watching the musical, rather than being a part of it.
After shying away from joining drama club my freshman year, I decided to take more initiative sophomore year. With wobbly legs and a shaking voice, I finally mustered up the courage to audition for the spring musical. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Although I only received a small part, that musical was the start of a million memories, long-lasting friendships and important life lessons that I acquired during my three years in drama club.
Being a part of a drama club is a magical experience for too many reasons to count, but one main reason is because it makes you not only appreciate others and their abilities, but it teaches you how to appreciate yours as well. With the supportive members, who essentially become like family to you, you develop confidence and learn to accept yourself for who you are, regardless of what other people say or think. While I was once a very reserved, shy and afraid person, I am now confident, outgoing and fearless.
If someone told me prior to beginning high school that I would spend most of my time in drama club, auditioning for roles and practicing on stage, then I would have never believed them. Now as I look back and reflect on the times that I spent in high school, I cannot imagine me spending my four years there in any another way. Drama club truly changed me for the better and I am beyond thankful for that.