Bonjour, hallå, ciao, hola, привет, and hello! I am your new In-Reach Officer this year and I am in charge of bringing kids from majors other than theatre into the troupe, plus hopefully helping with lots of other mind-boggling, jaw-dropping, absolutely inspiring and marvelous stuff! ...Or maybe I should just mostly stick to the in-reach part. Anyway, last year was both my first year at DSA as well as my very first year at public school in general, and I am going to talk about my feelings and thoughts of my first year. I am not sure exactly where to start, but I think I will first describe my train of thought after seeing Thoroughly Modern Millie two years ago and deciding that I 100% wanted to go to DSA. 

 

It went something like this: OhmygodthisisoamazingandthisschoolissoperfectbuteveryoneissoTALENTEDandIhavenochanceofgettinginandevenifbysomemiracleIdomanagetogetineveryonewillthinkIamabsolutelyterrible!

 In short, I was terrified out of my wits. But those very people who I saw in DSA shows and who intimidated me opened up and welcomed me into the major. I found myself friends with the very actors that terrified me so much before the year started. Through these friends, I learned about myself, friendship, and acting while I gradually opened up and let my education take flight.


I learned many things in theatre this year. I learned the art of picking outfits that would be easiest to change in and out of blacks in. I learned the best way to explain to Mr. Becker that I just didn't see where on earth that assignment on the website was when I had forgotten to check, and I learned the hard way that one does not simply perform a scene with their hair in their eyes. But I learned broader and definitely more worthwhile things in theatre as well. I learned about the beauty of Stanislavski, I learned about Molière's comedies, I learned how to do Irish and Cockney accents, I discovered the beauty of humanity we are here to portray, and most importantly, I learned that in order to succeed, you have to work hard and keep a good attitude. I have to admit, that's quite a bit for one year. Especially the beauty of humanity part.

 

Many people have asked me how the transition was from my previous education. I was homeschooled from kindergarten through eighth grade and I had never been to public school. Most assume that it was hard to adapt, that I must have had trouble in such a different environment, but I beg to differ. I was ready for a change, even though my previous education was fantastic as well. (No, I did not get to sleep in as late as I wanted, and no, I did not wear my pajamas to school... Well not every day!) The thing that I thought made the transition so easy was the people at DSA. People talked to me and they asked me questions and generally welcomed me into the school, so thanks to you, Ladies and Gentlemen, my transition from homeschool to DSA was painless. 


I would like to end this blog with one thought. Let us all come into this school year, inspired and refreshed, and create an atmosphere where working hard is cool and being part of DSA theatre is a privilege. This attitude will take us far and help our officer team make changes that will make the troupe and the major even more enjoyable than they already are!