Shelton High School put on it's annual production of "Adaptations" again this year and it was a hit! There were amazing costumes, dance numbers, and of course vocal talent, but something was missing... That something would be the sophomore adaptation...

We were brimming with excitement as we patiently awaited our turn to take the stage for our last rehearsal before show night. Doctor Smith walked over to our class and asked us to gather in the lecture hall. We walked over to the room, completely in the dark about what we would find out only moments later. Everyone was murmuring about what they thought we were gathered there for. A few minutes later we would be told that our adapt was to be cut from the 2017 production due to copyright issues. We were shocked, devastated, and utterly confused. We were one day away from singing and dancing our hearts out, 3 months in the making, and now that opportunity had been stripped from us. Lots of crying ensued as our whole cast was completely heartbroken that we could not perform. For me, personally, I couldn't belive what was happening and was extremely upset. Theater is one of the only things in my life that I don't feel is a chore or job that have to do, unlike school or swimming. I love being on stage and I know my fellow castmates can agree with me on that.

We went home Thursday night with teary eyes and heavy hearts. The next morning we united, wearing our cast shirts from the previous year and were focused on being supportive of the other casts. Doctor Smith again called us to the fateful room where she delivered the heartbreaking news from the night before. This time she told us we were going to get to perform a song as long as we stayed after school and learned it. The mood lightened and it felt as though a lifeline had been thrown to us.

None of this could have happened without Gina Scarpa, Joe Sedlock, and Miss McNeil who all stayed after school on Friday to help us learn a new song and dance just hours before the curtains opened. We powered through it and went home ready to show everyone that we would not be beaten down despite the unfortunate series of events.

Dressed in black and white attire, we opened the show, singing, "The Goodbye Song" from SMASH. From the first note, I knew I would remember that moment forever. Being on stage with these kids that I wasn't really close to a few months ago, to now having gone through so much with them in such a short time. I felt so much joy as we pulled off the impossible. We were powerful, unbroken, and dignified as we made the best out of out a poor situation. When we finished, we were greeted with not one, but two standing ovations, and I felt like the Grinch on Christmas as my heart swelled 3 sizes.

Thank you to everyone who supported us, our parents who brought us to every rehearsal, our directors who made everything happen, Gina who saved the day, the other casts who mourned the loss of our adapt with us, my fellow castmembers who rose to challenge, and last of all, to the people who copyright our show. Thank you, because you allowed us the opportunity to take a stand. We came together, leaning on one another and unlocking hidden strength. We were truly phoenixes rising from the ashes.