Get Ya Head in the Game

By Yevgeniya from Turkmenistan

My exchange year in the U.S. was an amazing experience! It was very positive. I think the most exciting thing that happened to me was participating in High School Musical. I always wished to take drama class, but my host school does not offer it. In the middle of the academic year, I heard that the neighboring town school was having auditions for “High School Musical on Stage” (a Disney production), directed by a drama teacher Mr. Don Johnson. I got interested and tried out for it. I was so happy when I was notified that I got a role of cheerleader. I watched the High School Musical Disney original movie many times and I`m a big fan of it. I was so excited to become part of something so great!

First time rehearsing it was hard, because most of the students were from different schools, but by the end of first practice I knew everybody. It was so much fun to meet new people, learn dances, sing songs, and act. It became very important for all of us. Two months passed fast. We worked really hard and became a great team. My favorite scene was basketball practice and the song “Get Ya Head in the Game”. When we saw records of our first practices we were just laughing out loud. About week before the first performance we got our costumes and we started to apply stage make-up for rehearsals. I felt like a real actress. I remember the first time we put that make-up on; I could not recognize myself in the mirror. I looked like a clown, we all did. It was weird to see boys with make-up on. We laughed so hard. On the stage to our relief it looked very natural, because the light was so bright. I never thought how difficult it could be for actors to keep track of scenes and costumes and be on time on the stage.

I will never forget the first big night. I was so nervous and I felt stage fright, but all my friends supported me. Being on the stage dancing and performing was an incredible feeling. A lot of friends of mine and my host family came to watch me. For the show I do believe we did our best. Seeing little kids dancing and singing along in audience was the best reward for me and I`m sure for other actors. After the show we came out to greet everyone. My classmates and friends were hugging me and yelling “We know that girl!!!” It was so sweet. My host family encouraged me to do this play in the first place and at that time they were proud of me. We had six performances. At the end of the last show I was crying.

I realized it was the best thing I've done here. A lot of people I met in the musical became my friends. There were moments when backstage during performances somebody started to sing and everyone started to sing along. I am really grateful to our drama teacher. He taught us what the real performance is about. It is to make audience feel with their hearts and believe. It`s not about applause, it is about people themselves.

I still keep in touch with all the friends I made during that short time. We do not see each other very often, but we talk a lot on Facebook and text each other. I will never forget my first musical.