An On-Stage Break Up

Like the lyrics of the opening number to Hamilton say, “There’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait.” While this is definitely true, my time in musical theatre consisted of many things I never thought I would do, including building a set in two days, dressing as a man, and having my first kiss on stage (yeah, let’s not talk about that.)

 

Musical theatre pushed me out of my shy, miniscule comfort zone and helped me find a sense of purpose. I remember counting down the minutes in school to get to go to rehearsals, hugging my fellow cast members at the end of a final show, and eventually leaving traditional public school to spend more time doing what I love.

 

But, (there’s always one of those, right?) as college came closer, the real-world set in. The thoughts of pursuing a career as an actress crossed my mind, but the realities of such a career working out are slim to none. My anxious personality could never jump into such an uncertain future.

 

When I hit the submit button on all of my college applications, I made a decision. Theatre would be in my past, and the boring, adult world waited for me.

 

Since the three years since my last performance, the rush of performing has been dearly missed. Singing along to soundtracks in my car does not live up to an audience’s laughter or gasps of disbelief. But, as the saying goes, “It’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.”