Being in theater in high school can, will, and has changed the lives of many people, myself included. Even when being in a small school, being in theater was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I was in five productions at my high school, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, A Christmas Carol, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Beauty and the Beast, and Bye Bye Birdie. In Willy Wonka, I played the bass clarinet in the pit, in Christmas Carol, I was in the set crew, and the other three, I was part of the cast.
Being in the small school, there weren't very many people in the cast, 100 people at most. We all became so close, like a family. We formed relationships with others, friendships with most, and love for everyone. No matter what was going on in people's lives, we would come to play practice to destress and to be happy. I met some of my best friends through being in play and the friendships that I know will last a life time.
After my dad passed away my sophomore year, I joined theater junior year in hopes that I would be able to relieve my mind and stress, and also make my dad proud as he loved the performing arts. Being in my first play was the best experience of my life. Everyone excepted me with open arms and didn't judge me for who I was. Theater is a safe haven for people who don't like sports and people who aren't straight. Going to a Catholic school, it is important for those people to have a space where they can be themselves.
Being in theater changed my life for the better and shaped me to be a much better and accepting person. I learned to be more open and to not care about what people think about me or how I act. I learned to be myself and most importantly, I learned how to love.
