Imagine standing center stage in front of two hundred people. Everyone is staring at you, the lights are blinding to your eyes, and you are singing and dancing simultaneously. The sensation is one of the best in the world, and I am so glad I discovered this feeling in musical performance.

Last year if you had asked me if I was going to be in the school musical I probably would have laughed in your face.This year however, I can tell you that signing up to audition for Mame was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Though many aspects of the production process came as a shock to me, I can honestly say that I do not regret joining the Christ Church theater family even for a second. The countless hours that others and I poured into the production were definitely worth it.

When I say we spent countless hours on the production I really do mean COUNTLESS hours. From the beginning, we had between one and three hour rehearsals every night going over dance choreography, music, and lines. As an infant in the musical world, I struggled to read the notes I was supposed to be singing and to dance the right steps at the right time. However, thanks to the help of the many dear friends I made along the way, I finally found my way, and even though I still can not read a single line of music, I made it work, and I think the performance went spectacularly.

Everyday was new and exciting at Mame rehearsal. Some days we mixed it up with Disney High School Musical renditions and other days we sat in the house admiring the talent of our fellow actors. Though I have not been in any other productions, I honestly believe that the cast of Mame must be one of the best casts that the Christ Church Drama department has ever had. The lead role, Maggie Hamberis blew the crowd away with her incredible voice, and other supporting roles continued to bring awe to the audience every night. The cast was extremely talented and included some of the nicest people I have ever met. It is unbelievable the ways that the musical theater can bring all different types of people together with the common goal of having a great performance. The cast truly is a family, and I feel like one of the best things I took away from my experience is amazing friendships.

In addition to companionship, participation in the musical theater program teaches determination and hard work. Despite having no prior drama experience, every member of the cast is expected to come equally prepared to every rehearsal. Even though I was a newcomer, I was still held to the same expectations as other cast members who had been in the school productions since fifth grade. Kept in check by our trusty stage manager Gabrielle Norris, everyone in the production almost always arrived to rehearsal prepared and ready to perfom. On the few occurences that we lacked energy in rehearsal, our director Molly Aiken got us back on track and working hard, giving us only the necessary breaks.

Performing in Mame, and any production for that matter, takes a lot of hard work, but in the end it all pays off. I am so glad that I decided to join the Christ Church musical family, and I strongly encourage anyone who loves to have fun to join our family as well!