BWW Blog: Sarah Osman - Upperclassmen Actors' Showcase (Junior Year)

"Nevermore". Blackout ... Lights up. Bows. Appreciative gestures to the tech crew. Company bow. The end.

We look around at each other, grins on our faces. We all can't help but smile, knowing that the journey has come to an end. We are so proud of one another, and I am so grateful to be standing onstage beside them.

Friday April 22nd marked the third showcase with my acting class (the OCVTS: Performing Arts Academy's Class of 2017 Actors). Three years of high school. Three years of growing. Three years with these 20 beautiful people.

We've been through it all- First day frets: being accepted into a new school that we all auditioned for; showcases, share circles, tech weeks, tech class Tuesdays, midterms, finals; three different acting teachers, three different showcases, three different years.

All different. But all absolutely wonderful.

I could not be more proud of my acting class' performance on Friday night. Every single student did a phenomenal job, showcasing their immense and overflowing talent.

My class' portion of the showcase comprised of four one acts. We (the juniors) performed "The Actor's Nightmare" by Christopher Durang and works inspired by Edgar Allen Poe from Lindsay Price's "Shuddersome" that included "Tell-Tale Heart", "The Raven", and "The Masque of the Red Death" - all of which were directed by my school's new acting teacher, Doug Bollinger.

We have been working on this show for some time and when I watched my class perform before that audience, I could see all their hard work pay off. Seeing my teacher proud of us, seeing my classmates proud of themselves, and seeing the audience affected by our performance is such a great feeling that I cannot express into words.

Leaving that all behind, I went on to watch the second portion of the Upperclassmen Actors' Showcase, the seniors. The seniors had a variation of student written and directed one acts, as well as short films. The production, put together by my sophomore year (and soon to be senior year!) acting teacher, Anthony Ciccotelli, was so well done. The performers (the Class of 2016 Actors) were amazing and I was left in awe from watching it all. But one thought kept lingering in my mind throughout.

This was their last showcase. They were seniors. They were leaving. That will be us in one year.

With an emotional finale at the end of the night, the seniors thanked the acting teachers: Mr. Bollinger and Mr. Ciccotelli. They are both such inspiring figures and the senior class let them know that. I couldn't help but get teary eyed watching them express their gratitude for them.

In one year, I will be a senior. My class will be a senior class about to perform our last showcase at the OCVTS: Performing Arts Academy. I will see my class perform, and I will perform with them. We will laugh and have fun times as we always did. We will have grown so much from freshmen year.

But for now, we're juniors! We have one year left and we will continue to make each day memorable. I love my acting class so much, because everyday I look around and realize how glad I am to be among such a wonderful group people.

-Sarah Osman

Special thanks to: Laura Grandi-Hill, who suggested writing for BroadwayWorld.com!

The best people ever: Class of 2017 Actors

The seniors (whom I will miss): Class of 2016 Actors

My acting teachers: Doug Bollinger, Anthony Ciccotelli, Laura Grandi-Hill

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