Stressful yet Rewarding by James

Stressful yet Rewarding by James - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

This year I was granted the opportunity to direct the school play. This is my fourth year in the program. Since my freshman year, I have acted in 6 shows, Stage Managed 1, and was the Assistant Director in last years production of "The Little Mermaid." All of these were a build up to my senior year. I was chosen by my drama teacher to direct a full length production in May. The show became my proudest accomplishment in my entire High School Career.
I was selected in May because of my loyalty to the program and my desire to work hard. I read about 10 different scripts before I found the one that was for me. I selected a comedy by Rick Abbot titled "Play ON!" I found this show extremely humorous and fun. I spent the summer of 2016 reading the script weekly. I needed to understand everything I could about the show before I could teach it to others. It was hard giving up such a large part of my vacation but it was necessary.
When school started I was extremely proud and excited to release the title of the show that was such a big part of my summer. Around September we had our auditions. I never could have guessed how difficult that would be. Myself as well as my Drama Teacher observed such amazing talent. Everyone deserved a part. We had about 40 people audition for 10 roles. Once we finally selected our cast list, the real work began.
The Process was much more stressful than I ever could have imagined. I had to always be on my feet. I have always been use to having someone to answer questions that I couldn't. It wasn't a possibility for this show. My teacher refused to help because he wanted me to figure it out on my own. I had to answer questions I never thought about during my summer prep sessions. What are you supposed to do when your most important prop breaks 5 minutes before the show? How could I ever had prepared for that? The stress affected my life outside. It became difficult to sleep the 2 weeks before show night.
Opening night was the most stressful night. That whole day I couldn't help but worry. This show was such a big part of my life and I didn't know what the world would say. I was worried that all of my decisions were wrong and the audience wouldn't like it or find it funny. This mindset went away when I saw the audience cry with laughter while leaving the auditorium. People genuinely had a great time and I couldn't be more relived.
Despite the success of the show, my favorite parts of the experience was working with such amazing people. We had so many new students join our production. Not only was I responsible for teaching them the show, but also the traditions and procedures I was taught my freshman year. I never realized how much I would enjoy watching my peers grow and become talented in theatre. As stressful as the process was, I will never regret it. I learned so much about theatre and myself as a whole. That is what I learned directing was. It's not necessarily the show itself, but the people who are a part of it.