BWW Blog: Taylor Kyes - Behind the Scenes

Being new to the theater world isn't easy, I haven't been in theater for long, and this is my first blog post for Broadway World (Yay!). There are so many different rules to learn, so many different traditions and practices. I only started singing in 9th grade, and nearly 2 years later I joined the Thespian society at my high school. I was thrown from a world of sports into a world of acting and singing, and I couldn't have made a better decision for myself.

When I first found my way into acting, I was terrified of being new, being inexperienced but surrounded by people who have done this their whole entire lives. The thespians at my school are some of the most accepting, loving, and understanding people I know, and they helped ease me into an unfamiliar world. They welcomed me into this new lifestyle with open arms, taught me the ropes to how to act backstage, and made me feel (for the first time in my life) like I was a part of something big, something new and exciting. I have found that at every competition I attend, every show I see, and every interaction I have with people in the acting industry, I am welcomed for me. It is one of the many things that I love about playing a role in school productions, or competing in District competitions. I had no clue what I was doing, but every person I met helped show me new and exciting opportunities. One friend of mine suggested that I compete in costume construction for the District competition. I barely knew how to sew, but the challenge of making something that was completely mine excited me and I wanted to try.

Once I had found my way into costume construction and design (after getting a superior on my dress for the competition), I was thrilled about being a part of something so important to the theater, yet very over looked to the outsider. Many people underestimate the time that I, or any other Tech crew, put in towards making each and every scene look perfect. Each costume for each character has to be analyzed from every angle; the colors have to be bright enough but not too bright, each element has to mean something, has to help portray unspoken characteristics for the character, or show the audience more about who the character is becoming.

I still love acting and singing, and I will all of my life, yet working behind the scenes is where I am most proud. Being able to make a character come to life has more to it than just the actor, and I love being able to create an image that exemplifies each character in new ways.

This summer, Alachua County Public Schools is putting on the production of High School Musical Jr. I will be helping with costumes for that show, and I cannot wait to start working on it and document everything on the way! I will be blogging about the whole experience of the summer camp, so stick around if you want to hear more!!!

Taylor Kyes