My Own High School Musical

When I was younger, I was very shy. It was never in my nature to put myself out there for the world to see. I was content in my solitude and also being around the people I loved most. But in the years that followed,

I realized the best thing I could let happen to myself was to step outside my comfort zone and be free.

Although it may not sound as profound to you, the day I decided in grade 6 I would take Drama as an option rather than follow my closest friends into Band was a decision that would shape my life. Even 6 years later, I still don’t know why exactly I chose Drama. With no rhyme or reason, it just felt like the right thing to do. Even when I first embarrassed myself playing drama games, I never regretted my choice.

The years I had already spent in church choir prepared me, with rhyme and reason this time, to audition for our school’s production of The Little Mermaid. While I only had an ensemble part, I was more than happy to spend my time after school singing and dancing.

I loved this so much, I once again joined Musical Theatre and auditioned in grade 9 for Robin Hood. This time, I had a bigger role, and I felt that I was in my element. Be it through the monologues or performances we did throughout the school year, I was experimenting with different performance-related mediums I never would have imagined. You can only imagine how excited I was to end that school year by playing Sally Brown in our performance of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!

And while I expected for everything to end here, going into high school was yet another musical journey.

Although I did not know much about Shrek the Musical, I auditioned anyway in grade 10 for Fiona. I got cast as the understudy for Fiona, as well as Young Fiona, and one of the Three Pigs. I was very excited to have gotten the parts I did with only a few years of experience. Nonetheless, deciding to be part of this eccentric show formed friendships I am very grateful for. Grease in grade 11, similarly, challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, especially with all the dancing and 50s costumes.

It wasn’t until taking part in Into the Woods from September to December that I realized how my “High School Musical” experience was coming to a close. With this in the back of my mind, rehearsing for and performing this show was different. Every moment felt more genuine than the last, and it’s safe to say my emotions were at an all-time high. When you consider the moral dilemmas and heart-wrenching lessons laced throughout Into the Woods, playing Cinderella, it definitely felt like I was living the role as opposed to just playing it. When you find yourself in scenes having to act out emotions you have never felt or sing songs that convey inner turmoil, you don’t need to question if you’re doing it right because someone in the audience will relate, regardless. There is purpose to what you are doing, so just keep doing it.

What I hope you are able to take from this is that your passions will grow only if you nurture them.

Even when I realized that pursuing drama was never going to be my case, I feel it’s the things you do along the way toward what you really want to do that make the ups and downs all worth it. No one should ever be afraid to pursue all that they love in fear of straying from the path they have paved.

The years spent performing taught me that my worries and fears no longer exist once I am onstage. You completely take on the role of your character and channel within yourself their worries and fears, but also their triumphs. At the end of the day, you begin to realize everything holding you back in real life you are able to conquer because you were able to through that role. 

To me, that is what breaking the fourth wall is all about.

*Images are mine unless stated otherwise.*

Best wishes,

Kandace  🙂