So its no big secret now that I'm hooked on Drama. It all started back in my Freshman year, I still cringe looking back at how ignorant and freshman I was. Any who I have to give big thanks to Mr. Flack because if it wasn't for him and his wacky class of which name does not occur to me at this very moment. He taught me to seize every opportunity the second it presents itself to me amongst many other things. It was nearing the end of the year and the Poetry Cafe was up and going strong. For weeks I had told myself that I'm going to do it, I am going to walk up to that stage and seize the stage. Weeks of prepping myself trying to build myself up as much as I could. As the day finally came and we strolled into the library I was riding high on my horse but as the time came I was about to stroll towards the stage when suddenly roots twisted out of the floor and rapped around my legs stopping me from leaving my sight. I tried to raise my hand and holler that I wanted to go next but invisible hands held me down and covered my mouth; stage fright and a severe case of it at that. My opportunity crawled by as my limbs became jelly and I slouched in my chair but fate was on my side today. I left for my next period class utterly defeated and ashamed of myself for letting such a chance pass me by. Much to my amazement I would have three more chances that day to redeem myself. It was during one of these three chances that I seized the opportunity. I tore from the roots that held me down and twisted my way out of the hands that held me. No it wasn't anything like that actually it was more like. I raised my hand timidly and slowly at the end when no one else would go up. They called me down and I slowly and almost painfully got out of my chair and walked down the aisle to the stage. It was as if I was walking to the post to be tied up for the Death Squad to come and shoot me. Each step was shaky and unsure as my legs became Jello, my heart slammed against my ribs doing everything to get away from there, my brain blanked. After what seemed an eternity I was climbing the stage thinking this was the biggest mistake of my life so far. As I read my poem trying desperately to control the uncontrollable shaking in my voice and limbs it seemed that the someone somewhere was against me getting off that stage without a hitch. Midway through my reading the speakers began blaring funny noises and I had theorized that to stop this from happening you just needed to bring the mic closer to the speaker itself. While testing this theory my reading became an unintended performance. To this day when asked about I just say "I just rolled with the punches". I was a huge success because after that day everybody knew of that Funny Freshman Michael, I felt like a superstar. Ever since I have performed in the Poetry Cafe since and this year I plan to make my final performance. After this I began feeling a belonging on the stage performing. Originally I had always wanted to be onstage making people laugh, a comedian. My dreams were shattered and stomped after an audition during Freshman year that I doubt anyone who was there is still around except the Drama Director. I had always considered being a part of Drama though but my devastating fear of being on the stage made stop myself before I made a mistake that would haunt me at night just like the Freshman audition. It wasn't until Junior year that the Drama Director herself approached me and my partner during class after we had done a rather dramatic presentation together. She asked us if to try out for the play "Mother Goose is Eaten by Werewolves" that we could actually make it in. I was extremely hesitant and afraid and my partner just said he couldn't because of sports. I told her the stage really isn't my sort of gig but she insisted and asked that I talk to some of the actors about it and see if they can persuade me. Well of course I was extremely skeptical at first but I reflected back on Mr. Flack and how this could be an amazing opportunity that I was letting slide by. Benefit of the doubt I went and talked to the cast individually about why they joined Drama and what made them stay in it. They each told me the exact same thing as if it was rehearsed. They told me they first entered drama because the Drama Director spoke to them individually like me or because they thought it looked like a new thing they wanted to try. They stuck with it because it was amazing fun to be on stage and performing this totally new character you've never known of and that once you hear them cheering for you at the end you just have to come back for more. LIES, LIES, LIES, and after spending half of Junior year and the rest of Senior year with Drama I can honestly say performing on stage is hard, scary, and frustrating. Spending nights of right after school to some ungodly hour rehearsing is tiring and awful. What was true I found is that as you walk out onto stage and the auditorium is just clapping and cheering for you that it really hits you where you live deep down somewhere in your mind. I know this because I walked away from Drama after that and I said you all lied to me that was the most awful trying experience of my life so far I was right after all. Then as the next play came along I said no but stopped and thought of the applause as people cheered my name and whistled for Phil the guard/King Shrimptoast. Working backstage during rehearsals with the other actors, laughing and asking Bertha Ratcatcher to unzip me as I slipped into more formal attire. I auditioned immediately; the whole experience is stressful, trying, and time consuming but hearing the crowd roar with such approval it makes it all worth it. You can't always get the part though sometimes you acting skills just aren't needed or someone can play the role better. It's time to suck up your pride and step out of the limelight for someone else but that doesn't mean you can't help. As I sold my soul to Drama I began to do everything I could to help every single production. From working a fundraiser from dawn till dusk to working backstage in any way I can. Now that I'm a Senior and on my way out I decided I was going to go out with a bang. This will be my final role in Drama as I prepare for the next stage in my life. From doing readings in the annual Poetry Cafe Drama took me to one acts where I always played minor roles or helped backstage but now I'm one of the largest roles in a three act play and am planning to shine as bright as I can. This will be my final performance and not to mention my biggest by far. From the Poetry Cafe to One Acts being performed in contests at Thespian Festial to a lead role in a Three Act I like to think I've come a long way from where I began. Someday if a Freshman or new trainee comes up to me asks what made you join Drama and stick with it? I'm going to laugh then groan then cry all in that order as I tell him/her about everything I've learned about the stage and what to expect. Also that he/she should be prepared to sell their soul to Drama because after that first production their going to want to do more until their taking every possible opportunity that presents itself.
