My first Theater Auditions

In my Sophomore year I decided to join the Drama Club after school. There was no way that I was going to try and act and audition for the play when first of all, I had no idea what Shakespeare was talking about (the performance was of much ado about nothing) and second of all there were a bunch of seniors there and I really didn't feel like making a fool of myself or having to deal with the constant rumored hazing that happens to freshman. So instead I decided to join the technical crew and be the person that moves set pieces around or operates the spot light or something where I could get by and still have fun as a part of the show. It turned out that that year, my physics grades weren't so hot going into the 2nd quarter and so I decided to drop theater for that year as to try and improve my standing in my physics class. The next fall I decided to hang around after school with the theater kids and director (one of my favorite teachers). This payed off because when auditions came and I was once again hesitant to try out, our director tried to talk me into it, saying I did well in the improv games and that I could make a good actor due to my personality. I underestimated myself a little bit and so I told her that I didn't want a part with too many lines because I thought memorizing lines must be the hardest thing about theater. She didn't even make me audition and gave me the part of one of the policemen. That fall we were performing "Clue". I was happy with my situation, I landed a spot in the fall play by doing almost nothing and I didn't have to worry about memorizing any lines. Now, in High school theater you generally have a lower population of Males within the theater department and its generally female dominated, especially at my school. After about 2 weeks of practice, the guy who was playing professor plum decided to transfer schools and so now the role of prof. Plum was wide open and practice had already been going on for a couple of weeks. Our director approached me and asked me if I'd like to take a shot at it. I told her it might take me a little bit to get the lines down but I'd love too. In terms of my theater life this was probably the best day of it. Of the plays that I've performed in Clue was by far my favorite. Myself and Miss Scarlet ended up being the only roles being played by underclassmen and this is where I made all of my upperclassmen friends. They taught me so much about our school and how to survive the rigorous curriculum as well as what not to eat or drink before a performance. This is what got me started in theater and my experience in Clue led me to try out for the Spring One Act Plays and then the Fall play the following year.