I have been apart of my performing arts group, GVHSPAA or GVPAA, for nearly 4 years now and at the beginning of March, I will take my final bow when our production of Annie is finished. That will be 8 shows, countless friends, dances and songs, gone by in an instant. I've done 8 shows with them, "Footloose", "The Music Man", "Bye Bye Birdie", "Gypsy", "In the Heights", "Legally Blonde", "High School Musical" and now, "Annie". I've learned so much from these amazing people that I thought I'd share it with you.
How to break outside your comfort zone. Literally.
Prior to my freshman year, I hadn't heard a single curse word before and here I was, surrounded by people who did and were not afraid to at all. During our school's production of "Legally Blonde", our director cast me (and someone else, we had alternate nights and shows) as D.A. Joyce Riley and Dewey's girlfriend, Kayla. If you aren't familiar with the musical or the movie, Riley is questioning Brooke Wyndham's pool boy and holds up his uniform. A thong. Yes. A thong. And Kayla is described as a slut. I honestly don't know how I survived that show without dying of embarrassment in front of everyone but now I'm glad I did it because it gave me a lot of confidence.
How to be with someone I didn't know very well
During one show, I had to walk out in the opening number with someone I didn't know very well and who was frankly a bit scary because he was much older than me and a senior at that. But I got to know him and then he wasn't as scary anymore.
How to avoid the curtains
It is every theatre person's bane to hear "Don't touch the curtains!" You haven't experienced theatre until you have heard that saying. It is especially hard when there are props in the way and a lot of them. Or a large staircase. That's the biggest thing ever.
How to be as quiet as a mouse
This can apply to basically any show I've been in but it mainly applies to character shoes. What are character shoes you may be asking? A pair of black heels with a strap typically worn during old time shows like Annie, Gypsy, Music Man or anytime there is a character with a professional role. But still, those things are LOUD. Like a herd of elephants loud when there's more than one person wearing them.
How to be more confident
Again, freshman year was weird and getting changed in front of other people was the weirdest, especially with all the costume changes. Choir robe, regular clothes, gym clothes, choir robe again, prom dress. Lots of changes in a short amount of time. Well, not really, but eventually you learn that no one cares about what you look like under your clothes. As long as you're on stage and in the right costume, no one cares what you look like.
How to be quiet
This wasn't that hard for me, but when you're doing a show that you know the lyrics to and so does everyone else, it takes a lot of self-control not to scream them out during dress rehearsal.
How to not bump into people
Namely the leads when you're walking across the stage with a prop. Or anyone else for that matter.
How to have fun!
I met so many amazing and unique people from all the shows I've done and I doubt I'll ever forget them.
