A Question to Students - Why Do You Want to do This?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
21

<p>I can't even explain how I decided to pursue MT. I don't remember the first musical I ever saw, although I know I didn't weep the moment the curtain rose, and the first musical I participated in was exceedingly unremarkable. For years I thought was going to be an ob-gyn. Or President of the US. I started in theatre (and loved it) when I was 8 but didn't sing until I was in tenth grade. That year, I transferred to a PA high school as a vocal music major. I didn't have a real "ah-ha!" moment about majoring in MT in college, I just never really looked into everything else. When the time came to start searching, I searched for MT only.
I suppose I'm echoing what everyone else has been saying: MT just feels right. When I decided "this is it" no part of me said, "but what about....". I know I'm a smart, motivated, talented girl who could do a million other things, but I have no passion and no desire to do anything but sweat through 12 hour rehearsals, live in a tiny apartment with 3 other actors, and struggle to pay the bills. Its not something I can explain. It just is. In my heart, I know its right and I know I will succeed because the intelligence, talent, and motivation that could enable me to do a million other things will enable me to do this "thing" really, really well.</p>

<p>That came out rather jumbled (I'm pretty tired after doing a matinee performance of Seussical today!) but I hope it made some sense.</p>

<p>-mikksmom's D</p>

22

<p>Hello all!</p>

<p>I have been lurking on this board for a couple of months now and thought that this would be an appropriate first post!</p>

<p>I choose to be involved in theatre because it is something so much bigger than myself that positively impacts everyone who is close to it. I have seen the change that theatre has brought about in others and myself. I have been a part of and have observed people breaking down in a room together, letting out everything, "vomiting on stage," if you will. It is beautiful. Truth is beautiful.</p>

<p>It's striving to make that moment real, to stop being contrived and let the role take you over.</p>

<p>This happens more in straight theatre I believe, and I am somewhat torn between which path to take at the moment, but I believe musical theatre would make me more marketable (and of course i adore dancing and singing!)</p>

<p>Like some others, when I was 12 (i think) I went and saw The Wizard of Oz alone because no one could go with me. I cried sitting in that theatre with the curtain about to be drawn. It was thrilling.</p>

<p>I cannot imagine doing anything else. Though I know my mother (though she supports me) wishes I would become the doctor or lawyer. Which I could, easily. I have a perfect and challenging academic track record, but it doesn't make me be the best person I can be. It doesn't force me to make bold choices, and it doesn't leave me wanting more at the end of the day. Theatre fills me up and makes me whole like nothing else in the world.</p>

<p>I will be attending North Carolina School of the Arts for Drama this coming year as a senior in high school. I would like to quote Gerald Freedman, the dean of drama at NCSA.</p>

<p>"..theatre is better suited than any other medium to reveal, in genuinely compelling and challenging ways not only the dark forces that are dragging the world down, but also everything bright and luminous, in which its hopes are contained."</p>

<p>Showing the human experience and sharing with others what it is to be a human in this world might just make them appreciate the miracle of being. I would like to be a part of that.</p>