I believe that each day is full of endless possibilities. When I entered the high school hallways as an awkward seventh grader, I was eager to join activities and clubs. But, in particular, there was one specific club that captured my attention. I was always astonished by the plays that my high school performed when I was in elementary school. I knew that someday when I was older, I would be the one to fill a lead acting role. The Drama Club was where I had to be.
I fell in love with drama, the way Danny and Sandy fell for each other in "Grease," the first play I observed. The following spring, "The Wizard of Oz" filled with flying machines and flying monkeys heightened my expectations. The future seemed brighter than a one hundred watt light bulb used to light up the auditorium. The next six years would prove why high school is promised to be the ‘best years of your life.’
In "Beauty and the Beast," my first spring performance, I was granted the role of the Milkmaid. Although she was only an ensemble character with two lines, ‘Bonjour!’ and ‘How is your wife?’ it was a stepping stone in the right direction. I even had a specific prop, a silver plate full of faux grapes. In "Annie," I was another ensemble member, this time Eddie, the bum. I guess one could say I was a little bummed out to play a male character that belted the line, ‘Sure thing beautiful.’ But, the Drama Club lacked male students and it was only one line, so it was no big deal.
As I crept up the Riverside food chain, a duck named Ugly hatched out of its egg in "Honk!" during my freshman year. This was one of these plays with a small list of characters and many upperclassmen. Sure, I expected to be an ensemble member once again, but I didn't expect to be given the role of a Cameraman. I was also selected to dance in a scene with three upperclassmen while the other ensemble members sang the lyrics. I considered this to be a satisfactory accomplishment.
My sophomore year, the well known Harvard graduate, Elle Woods arrived at Riverside in her pink convertible for our production of "Legally Blonde." I was selected to be the mischievous Sales Associate who attempted to sell Elle an outdated dress. I was also given the opportunity to dance in the jail video workout scene with jump ropes. Finally, I was being featured more in the school play.
Throughout those four years, I learned a lot about myself through acting. It was an exceptional feeling to become someone else, even if it was for a short span of time. I believed that I was ready to conquer more challenging roles. During my audition for "Into the Woods," I put my heart and soul into channeling another character. But, lead roles were assigned to underclassmen, mostly seventh and eighth graders. If another individual is better than me at any skill, I am not afraid to admit it. I couldn’t understand what these girls had that I didn’t. I could sing and perform just as well as them. Yet I spent my junior year on the side of the stage as one of the Narrator’s servants, carrying a faux fruit tray. I thought there’s always next year, my very last in the play.
Many actors had graduated the year before. It was my senior year. I was the only one out of those four seniors who had been involved since the seventh grade. Had the time finally arrived for my chance in the spotlight? I felt confident more than ever after that audition. In fact, I was told that it was my best audition yet. I couldn’t wait for the cast list to be posted on the Drama Club Facebook page over the weekend. But, when I checked the list, underneath the description of ‘Winos, Street Urchins, Press, Shoppers, etc.’ was my name. A senior with the same role as seventh graders? Underclassmen with better roles than upperclassmen? I wondered, am I really that bad of an actor? I’m a shopper who appears in only two scenes. Despite my disappointment, I’ll try to make the best of it.
As one door closes, another opens. We cannot dwell on the past. Each day is a new page in a book of endless opportunities. As my final year of Drama Club and high school came to an end, I was reminded of the reasons why I first joined the school play. I yearned to discover myself through acting, and I did, only through short ensemble roles. I became friends with classmates I would have never have developed relationships with through drama. Life continues on whether one is ready or not. Like acts of a play, new beginnings come after a certain number of scenes has played out.
