Student Blogger: Kelsie Davis

The end of a show holds the usual post-show depression. The end of The Pirates of Penzance was a little more bittersweet than usual. I was so excited to see this show up and running onstage. Each night the numbers got better, and the comedy became a little more intentional. Seeing my choreography on stage and getting positive feedback for it was incredible. I have never been so proud of something before, which seems fitting for it being my last production at Olivet Nazarene University.

Preparing for a major project, such as choreographing a musical, seemed very intimidating at first. Even as I wrote the choreography there were moments that I wasn't sure if the approach that I was taking was going to work for the show. I had a basic concept for the production: it was supposed to appear as a cartoon. Not physically, but characteristically, the bodies on stage were supposed to seem like they were from another world.

Being involved in a theatre production means two things: hard work and late nights. This is especially true as a student, whose schedule is also filled up with classes, work, extracurriculars, group meetings, homework, and if you're lucky, a social life. As the choreographer for the spring musical, being in rehearsals every night requires focus and the time outside of rehearsal is spent adjusting, writing, and re-writing choreography. The dance numbers are constantly cycling through my head. I fall asleep thinking about them and most of the time it's my first thought when I wake up. It's hard work, but I love every minute of it.

Over the past decade, theatre has continually challenged me. There are always the inner challenges of trusting my instincts, being open to express myself, and working through failures. I am currently in my senior year of college, and in the past four years, I have also been challenged in new positions within the theatre.