Student Blog: A Letter to the Stage I Love

Dear Wallkill Valley Regional High School auditorium,

It's been awhile. Three years to be exact. Ever since graduating, I have realized how internally grateful for all you gave me during my four years of high school. I never expected a single stage in the auditorium to become a second home to me, but that's exactly what happened and I wouldn't have changed that for anything. My love for music only grew further during my high school career, so being able to express that by doing something I adored on the stage is simply irreplaceable.

Now that I'm in college and no longer actively participating in musicals or plays at my university, my time on that stage at Wallkill holds an even more special place in my heart. I shed both happy and frustrated tears during the four shows I was in during high school. There were countless moments of pure joy that will stick with me forever. I made some of my very best friends because we were sharing the stage during particular productions and those bonds are unlike anything else I've had the pleasure of knowing. That all too familiar adrenaline rush right before the curtain rises and the sold out audience is eagerly awaiting the start is a feeling I took for granted during each performance. Those jittery nerves that would accompany every action on stage until the amazing sound of applause fills the air were part of the experience, but only belong to the stage.

I didn't know it then, but being a part of all four musicals my high school put on during my time there, were going to be some of the most unforgettable times of my life. Which is why the auditorium and stage are places of comfort and love to me, even today.

But most importantly, years after I took my final bow on stage during the last show of The Drowsy Chaperone my senior year, the lessons and memories that I gained from performing have shaped me into who I am today. The confidence to stand in front of a crowd and not feel an ounce of anxiety, just gratefulness, helps me remember that I can do anything I put my mind to. All of the bonding with my cast members allows me to work better in teams and groups through my higher education journey. Knowing that stepping out of my comfort zone can result in some of the most amazing moments is something I would have never discovered if it wasn't for standing up on that stage so many times.

At the end of the day, the moral of the story is that stage in Wallkill's auditorium gave me more than I never realized. And now, when I find myself missing the time I spent performing, I look back with fondness. Music has always been such a large part of my life and it's no exception for everything I did on stage.

So, thank you, Wallkill's stage. You will have a place in my heart forever.

All the love,

Breanna

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