BWW Blog: Amanda Grillo - Moments of Happiness: What's Your Proudest Moment in Theater?

We all have our proudest moments. They may not always be the day you got the "starring role", but maybe it is. Everyone has that one instant in their life that makes them smile. This week, we're going to talk about your proudest moment in theater. Whether you pursued theater your entire life, only did it in high school, or maybe still getting your feet wet; your experience in theater has an everlasting impact on your life whether you realize it or not. I love asking questions and I love getting to know people, so I went out and found out people's proudest moments in theater.

Directing:

Watching a show you direct come to life is like a parent. Robert Vaccaro shares, "My proudest moment was directing the second cabaret. Looking over to everyone directing the curtain call and adding the smiles in the faces."

Stepping Up in a Time of Need:

Sometimes you get the chance to swoop in and save the show! Stephen Sheperd informs us, "[During my] sophomore year of high school [the musical was] My Favorite Year. One week before opening, a senior had to drop out due to academic problems. The director knew I was adaptable and good at memorizing lines. I was given this new supporting role, which had about 20 or so lines and many more scenes/songs, to accompany the multiple ensemble roles I already had. Mind you, this was only the second show I had ever been in, so it was a big deal. Upon my first rehearsal in the new role, the rest of the cast (unprompted) told me I was doing better in the role than the senior who had it for two months. Everything came together smoothly, and I even got to be in the "best row" for final bows, the one at the front of the stage reserved for main players and seniors. That experience is what has stoked my confidence for every other production I have auditioned for and performed in."

Originating Roles:

Dalimar Irizzary shares the joy and pride she feels being able to originate roles in the University of New Haven Student New Works Festival. "I'd have to say my proudest moment was the entire process of the Student New Works Festival spring 2015; bringing to life original student written, casted, and directed pieces and getting to bring to life characters that will never be portrayed again was an honor and amazing experience. Thinking back on it, it's crazy to think that there won't be another Bubba an anxious balloon, Emily an innocent teen on a date with her crush, or Adrian a woman who fell in love with a reaper, and that the only times these characters would appear on a stage were with me being the one that brought them from paper to stage. I got to meet my best friend because we had to kiss in one of these scenes, so we had to become very close very quickly, so I'm even more grateful to have been a part of it. It's not one specific moment, but it is definitely my proudest; being able to bring student pieces to life, and knowing that this is the one chance they have to see their pieces performed and that it was received so positively, is the highlight of my 'acting in college' journey thus far."

Rallying the Troops and Making a Statement:

Rose-Emma Lambridis moved the crowd and motivated middle schoolers when the University of New Haven performed their winter production of Crisis for a local middle school. In the early part of the Harlem Renaissance, The Crisis, the official magazine of the NAACP, sponsored short play contests designed to develop a collection of texts that could be used by community groups for educational purposes. The Theater Program presented a production that combines a selection of the "Crisis" plays with material devised by students around current and historical events. The production was performed site-specifically, utilizing space throughout Dodds Hall as well as Bucknall Theater.

"During Crisis, we performed for the midde school ESUMS. I was already impressed at how eager to volunteer engaged they were. I played Alicia Frison, the black girl combating the justifications of a blackface party hosted by SAE fraternity brothers. I was on stage, talking about how wrong the affair was to the actor playing the frat brother (Josh Dill) and when I was done the middle schoolers cheered me on. It was my proudest moment in theater and it gave me a lot of hope for the next generation."

Realizing Your Talent as a Hobby transforms into a career:

Michael Kennedy shared the wonderful news of a recent casting update. "My proudest moment in theatre happened just [recently]. I was cast in a production of Neil Simon's "The Star-Spangled Girl". It's my first paid acting job, and it made me think "Hey, maybe I am good at this.""

Building a Whole New World:

Mengyan Liu was my predecessor to set design in high school. The process from concept sketches to seeing the final product on stage is one of the best parts of set design. Her piece she felt most accomplished and proud of was turning plywood into Rapunzel's Tower in a production of Into the Woods that we worked on together in the fall of 2011.

We all have moments to be proud of. One of my proudest moments in theater was when I just decided to let go. I always used to be so self-conscious. I was always afraid of being wrong, so I was always the quietest and I lost so many opportunities because of that. Then, one day, I realized that I was quiet in rehearsals; a place where you are supposed to fix problems. If I made a mistake, it was okay. That's why rehearsals exist. If the theater world didn't require rehearsals, how could you form a troupe that can accurately tell the story? It doesn't just happen. With this new mindset, I started to be louder and more forward in rehearsals. I started sharing ideas and volunteering to do extra. I grew as an actress and as a person that day. Thanks to that day, I have survived and thrived in this magically confusing world of theater and I anxiously await the next challenge that comes my way.

Now the time has come for you to look back. What is your proudest moment in theater?

Coming Soon: The Waiting: Post Audition Anxiety

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