New Bucket List Item: Musicals

BY CHRIS ROBBINS

Photo Credit: Chris Robbins

Growing up as a quiet kid who hated being in front of people, I would have never considered doing anything close to a musical.

In eighth grade, I started doing sound engineering in school musicals and I continued to do so in high school. My junior year came around and a couple of my friends who were planning on trying out, convinced me to do so as well.

Most of us had never been in a musical before, so we figured we wouldn’t get a role and just be in the background to have some fun. Four of us ended up being the T-Birds in my high school’s production of Grease.

I couldn’t believe the casting and wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I figured I might as well see what happens. My time in Grease, the one and only musical I have done, was an absolute blast and some of the most fun I have ever had.

Performing in a musical is one of the most challenging things I have ever done and probably one of the most challenging things a person can do. Remembering several scenes of lines, learning dozens of dances and songs that you will have to perform.

Rehearsals are long and often where you spend hours dancing and singing the same stuff repeatedly which can become numbing. The fun during those rehearsals is truly some of the most fun I have had as you become close with the people you spend several hours with every day.

Once the show finally comes, the chance to be a whole new person for a couple hours is a cool experience as you don’t realize how much you sink into your character until the show ends. It is such a rewarding feeling to put on a great show in front of a great crowd that loved the show.

It is an extremely fun time performing a musical. I truly think everyone should give it a try. It's an awesome experience that can create lifelong friendships. It also gives you a greater appreciation for musicals and all the time, effort, and production that goes into making them.