A quiet stillness lays upon the audience. Theater lights flash towards the stage. The velvet curtain draws to an open. The show begins. This is something that senior Daniel Stevens has ingrained into his mind for the past four years. It’s almost like his daily routine. Stevens has been participating in the musical production for all four years of his high school experience, and he’s come a long way.
Participating in the musical allows students to grow and learn about themselves in a variety of ways. You meet new people and have new experiences, so you’re bound to grow and change as four years of school fly by. Stressful situations like memorizing lines, getting good stage presence, having good volume, and cooperating with new people also create space for important learning experiences.
“I think I’ve grown with my social skills and grown as someone with inclusivity. There’s a lot of different people and you learn to be together and work together, and you hear a lot of different perspectives on things. It’s really cool,” Stevens said.
Peoples’ love for things often grow from inspiration. Some may learn to play an instrument from their parents, or teachers. Others may begin loving a sport by being glued to a glowing TV screen. Steven’s love for musicals dates back to early childhood, where he would watch his sister perform on the big stage.
“I think I was like four or five. I’ve always been into it. Being on stage gets me excited, I just love performing for people,” Stevens said.
From Fiddler on the Roof to Songs for a New World, it’s hard to pick a favorite from three past successful musicals. Each musical showcased something different for the audience each time. Each cast brought to a life a new story for engaged toddlers and grandparents alike to be on the edge of their seats for. Ultimately, after much struggle to choose, Stevens settled on his favorite being Mamma Mia.
“It was during my sophomore year, and it was during a pretty rough time in my life, but it was still an escape for me, and I could just get out on the stage and be a different person for a little bit. It was a great experience,” Stevens said.
Being on the big stage is likely single-handedly one of the most frightening experiences in your life, and to have hundreds of people watch you perform – it’s no easy task. Forget performing, even trying out for the musical might scare away some really talented candidates, discouraged by the prospect of rejection.
Steven’s last musical will be this year’s Mary Poppins. With this being his final musical in high school, he hopes to go out with a bang and make the most of it before the velvet curtains slowly draw to a close.
