After traveling home last weekend to see my high school's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," I was thrust into a state of nostalgia for my days up on that stage. High school theater is a wondrous world like no other: the lessons it teaches are endless and universally applicable, the stories it leaves you with are both side-splitting and horrific, and the experiences gained from it are absolutely priceless. Whether or not you chose to continue singing, dancing, or acting past high school, every high school theater kid looks back on their days up on stage with fondest (although sometimes pretty wacky) memories. Here are a few things we all learned, and forever carry with us, from our high school theater days.
How to scarf down a meal in between scenes.
You see a brown paper bag sitting out in the house with your name on it, and thanks to your awesome mom, a Tupperware with a yummy meal is inside. After a long day of school, along with the fact that your last meal was cold mozzarella sticks from high school cafeteria, you begin to wonder if anyone’s ever declared pasta (or awesome moms) as their personal saviors. Then, you hear “we’re doing Laker Girls Cheer next” and your moment of ecstasy is quickly gone. You grab the fork and shovel as much pasta into your mouth as possible while you grab your character shoes and run backstage. By the opening notes of the song, it is all gone and a swig of water revitalizes you. You’re ready for a long night of singing and dancing.
Scream singing.
“I want you to scream on a note. It doesn’t have to be pretty, it just has to be loud.” Every high school theater kid has heard this (or some variation of it) at one time or another in their career. Scream singing is truly an art form and theater kids have got it down.
How to fake it until you make it.
I’m a terrible dancer. Perhaps one of the worst out there. So, when in my senior year of high school I was cast in just about every large dance number, I panicked. But I quickly learned, as all clumsy theater kids do, to grin and bear it. Or should I say, grin and jazz square it.
How to change into anything in 30 seconds, or less.
Whether in the ensemble or in a leading role, almost everyone has a quick change at least one time in every show. There are even those shows when every change is a quick change. Try having seven costumes, each with at least four pieces, that you have a 30-second vamp to change into. It may seem impossible but it most certainly is not. Ask a theater kid.
How to be happy for others' accomplishments.
One of the greatest lessons of high school theater is learning to congratulate people on their accomplishments, even it means you not getting exactly what you want. In our dreams we’re all Millies and Elles and King Arthurs, although in real life we might be Miss Dorothys or Vivians or Ensemble Girl 5. Sometimes, we don’t always get the part we want, but that doesn’t mean that our role in the show is any less. In the end, we wouldn’t have our shows, or our roles in them, any different.
Organization.
A full day of school, a planner full of homework assignments, 3 or 4 (or more) hours of rehearsal, finding time to eat and oh, yeah, that thing called sleep. All of that -- and more -- are the responsibilities of your average theater kid. Once you join the theater you quickly learn how to organize your countless costumes backstage, the times when you’re going to get all of your homework done, and memorize 10 songs and 100 pages of dialogue.
How to take criticism.
On the road to show weekend every cast will endure endless notes from choreographers, directors, musical directors, and even fellow cast members. Soon enough you learn how not to take their words personally, but rather to see them as an opportunity to improve. Every show is a team effort, so taking criticism and fixing mistakes will make the whole show that much better.
Grace and patience.
Whether you’re learning a complicated tap routine or dealing with the frustrating attendant at the DMV, the skills and patience to handle any situation with grace, both physically and mentally, are integral in high school theatre. Without enduring hours of choreography, song rehearsal, and costume fittings I would not have the patience I have today to make it through just about anything.
The meaning of friendship.
If there's one thing that all high school theater kids took away from their experiences on and off stage it's the meaning of true friendship. Only true friends help you put on fake eyelashes, aid you in stripping down to your leotard for your quick change, or follow through with crazy high school theater traditions. Only true friends will break into spontaneous song with you during pre-rehearsal Starbucks runs and post-rehearsal ice cream runs. Perhaps the best thing that high school theater left me with is the zaniest, most supportive, and overall best group of friends I could ever ask for.
