A year and a half ago, I walked into an audition for The Drowsy Chaperone at a local all boy’s prep school. What I didn’t know then was how much this group would come to mean to me. I’ve had the time of my life performing with this group on stage, and I don’t think I’ve ever been surrounded by so many hardworking and driven actors. So here’s my thank you to Prep Players for truly being the highlight of my high school experience.
Thank you for the three most amazing shows....
Throughout the three Prep Players shows I've had the chance to be a part of, we’ve indulged ourselves into the mix-ups and mayhem of a 1920’s wedding (or should I say “weddings”) in The Drowsy Chaperone, explored the small town life of Grover’s Corners in Our Town, and celebrated at the best clambake ever in Carousel. My castmates and I were constantly being pushed as actors, breaking out of our comfort zones and enabling tremendous growth in our abilities. In the days we started to doubt ourselves, we were always reminded that yes, in fact, “theatre is hard,” but we always knew the stakes at hand and pushed straight to the top. After every production, you could see how much our hard work payed off, and we always left the theatre after strike feeling completely satisfied with what we had just created as a cast.
Thank you for teaching me the importance of “ensemble”....
Prep Players has always been a group built on the importance of “ensemble”. A show cannot depend on a single person; it takes the entire unified group to produce success. This stress on ensemble has been able to produce a bond within this group that has worked wonders on stage, and has made Prep Players a safe space for all of us.
Before every run, our full ensemble would physically and vocally warm up together. This time would allow us to come together and focus on each other and the journey we were about to take on. Even though it sounds silly, our tongue twisters (BILLY BUTTON BOUGHT A BUNCH OF BEAUTIFUL BANANAS) and many, many rounds of “you!” (that game will forever give me nightmares) are what create trust and bring our ensemble together.
Thank you for continually "holding me up", both on and off the stage....
(....and sometimes even literally).
Like we said in Carousel, “you’ll never walk alone," and this was something I could always ensure within this ensemble. During our shows, the entire cast would wait in the wings, ensuring that those off stage would constantly be sending energy and love to those onstage. This group came to "hold each other up" not only onstage, but offstage as well. I know that if I ever walked intorehearsal while having a bad day, there would always be someone there for me. If someone was going through a hard time, you can ensure that we would be there right by their side no matter what. This constant support is something I have always valued highly about the Players.
Thank you for being my family....
Even on the very first day of rehearsals for The Drowsy Chaperone, I felt like I was already a part of the family and after a year, some of those people sitting in that room have become my closest friends. Whether we have been in only one show together or three, we are all part of this wonderful family. This is a community that I know I can always count on, and who I have shared the best of times with, both on the stage and off. I will forever cherish the laughs shared at rehearsals, our closing night rituals, sprinting through NYC in the pouring rain, celebrating our achievements at the Halo Awards, and of course, every single moment on stage.
So thank you to my Prep Players family, for everything over the past year and a half. Thank you for constantly holding me up and believing in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. Thank you for showing me what I love most about theatre, and for inspiring me to pursue musical theatre in my college career. This group means the world to me, and I will continue to hold up and support each and every one of you. I know that wherever life leads me, I will always have a home with the Prep Players.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU again, with much love from your Trix the Aviatrix/Louella Soames/Carrie Pipperidge Snow.
