High school theater

It’s my third month in the USA and I’m slowly starting to feel like I’ve been here my whole life. School is amazing and I’ve totally been enjoying it. The teachers are all so sweet and the teaching method is really different than the one that I’m used to back home. I’ve been having so much fun in all my classes and I love going to school every day. I also met new people and made so many new friends. A big part of American high schools are clubs. This is very different than the high school I’m used to at home. In Slovakia school is primarily about studying and not so much about having fun in sports or clubs after school. One of the most important parts of my life here, in the USA, is the Drama Club. Ever since I was in elementary school I’ve always wanted to be a part of a big theatre performance. I didn’t really have the opportunity to do that in Slovakia, so I’m happy that I have the opportunity to do it here. Since the first rehearsal I’ve been enjoying it so much and I don’t regret this decision a single bit.  

My theatre experience started in the beginning of September when I found out that I couldn’t do volleyball. I was looking forward to trying out a sport but I came too late after the season had started. I wanted to make more friends so I decided to try and find a club that would interest me. My counselor recommended trying to ask the theatre teacher about joining the drama club and because of that I met the sweetest and friendliest teacher ever. I told her that I would like to be a part of the drama club I just couldn’t imagine myself standing on the stage in front of hundreds of people so she told me to do tech theatre. Tech decorates and designs the set, does the makeup, prepares the costumes and works with the sound and lights during shows. This was the perfect place for me because I would be a part of the drama club and the show but I wouldn’t directly act in it. The next day I came to the auditions, met all the actors and had an amazing time. When I got home that day, I knew I made the right decision.

Our first show of the year is Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. It’s the story of Scrooge’s friend, Jacob Marley, and how he celebrates Christmas. We, the “techies”, worked on sandwich boards (they are boards that you put in front of stores or on the streets as a form of advertisement for the play) for almost 2 months and it was the best bonding experience ever. Now we’re finally working on designing the set, which is my favorite part. We are constantly painting and designing all sorts of props. 

I met the most amazing people through being tech for the drama club that are now some of my closest friends. We’ve been out together a few times, I tried my first Wendy’s frosty with them (which was amazing) and we all went trick or treating together. I really love them and I feel so welcome when I’m around them. For the spring musical we’re doing Mama Mia, which I’m extremely excited for. It used to be my favorite movie so I can’t wait to be working on preparing the show. We’re already singing along to all the songs while painting. Joining clubs is a really great way to make friends with the same interests as you, so definitely sign up for something! You’ll love it.