BWW Blog: Rebecca Donaldson - Confessions of a High School Theater Addict Part 2

One of the greatest parts of being undeniably dedicated and addicted to musical theater is that you are constantly surrounded by a plethora of individuals who share the same passion; especially in high school. High school is abnormally the "best and/or worst time of your life" in just a mere four years. It is a one of the most formative times in an individual's life, when one truly begins to become the sort of individual that will carry them well into adulthood. This is why the performing arts are vital in my personal high school career. If I am unhappy with my own life, through theatre, I am afforded the ability to step into another character's shoes and "become them" practically every day. Because I am so active in theater, my entire friend-base consists of other thespians that I have performed with in the past. These bonds and talents exist, not only in the local community theatre troupes, but in my own high school's theater program as well. I believe the incredible ability to work together on stage in spite of personality conflicts, extreme exhaustion at times, vast differences in age, and the daily "drama" of a typical high school student's life is one of the factors that makes the Hilton Head Christian Academy's drama department so successful and why it has been a major component in shaping so many spectacular young adults.

Most recently, March 17-19, my high school performed the undying classic, Guys and Dolls. Under Michelle McElroy's brilliant direction, the show was an undeniable success. She skillfully cast Olivia Williams (Junior) as Miss Adelaide, who, without a doubt stole the show with her booming vocals and on-point shrill New York accent; Joseph Lankowski (Senior) who perfectly portrayed Nathan Detroit's tightly wound personality excellently and had a firm grasp on the character; Jacey Robinson (Freshman) who, while the youngest of the four leads as Sarah Brown, is no stranger to center-stage, having played the role of Annie two year's prior and did a wonderful job as she graced the stage with poise and vocal perfection; and Henry Clark (Senior) who effortlessly portrayed the suave persona of Sky Masterson with excellent line delivery and interpretation of the character. Four performances were delivered, captivating the audience with every move the cast made, line they delivered, and song that was sung. The show's ensemble completely stayed perfectly in character the entire time they were on stage causing numbers such as Oldest Established, A Bushel and a Peck, and Luck Be a Lady to keep the audiences begging for more by the end.

While what could be seen occurring on the stage wowed the audience; a large portion of the show's success came from the live orchestra down below, professionally led by HHCA's musical director, James Barry. With an eighteen-piece orchestra, the largest HHCA has ever had, the cast was able to have amazingly beautiful music to sing and dance to throughout all of the shows and countless rehearsals.

I am so incredibly proud to say that I am a part of my high school theater program. To be able to have so many people work together towards one goal and see a beautiful and successful outcome is by far and undeniably one of the best things I have ever experienced. I have made lifelong friends through the performing arts and it is something I will always be thankful for. I have a passion for something that allows me to become any character I want, and I can take pieces from that character to help shape me into the individual I am today and will become. It is truly a blessing to experience life on the stage beginning at such a young age and it is certainly my intent to continue to pursue the world of theatre as I move towards my senior year and prepare for college. The performing arts bug has bitten me, and I have unquestionably become addicted with a passion that I cannot live without. I am honored to have been a part of Guys and Dolls this spring at Hilton Head Christian Academy and I cannot wait to see what is yet to come for the program in the near future and beyond into my alumni years, when I, too, become part of the audience at last.

Check out the video clips below!