Student Blog: The Theater Takeover

It starts small. 

It always does. 

One night in a dark theater, with absolutely no expectations. The curtain goes up, and soon you’re completely immersed into a fantastical world, engrossed in a fictional story. 

The next step involves buying another set of tickets, raving to your friends and family about the show. Perhaps you’ll listen to the cast album once or twice, downloading it one late night when your homework has disappeared and all you can think about is the lyrical musical as it replays in your mind.

You’ve been hit by the theater bug.

Four and a half years after seeing my first Broadway show (WICKED), I will proudly say I’m a theater nerd. Not only do I constantly listen to theater soundtracks, I play the Broadway lottery every day. I leave my schedule open to catch an evening show or a Wednesday matinee, planning my entire summer trip with the knowledge that I absolutely must be back for BroadwayCon. I diligently follow theater accounts, searching for updates of my favorite shows and cast changes. 

My life has been changed for the better because of theater. I’ve connected with some of my closest friends because of it — we bonded by taking walks around our school, listening to DEAR EVAN HANSEN. Even as we live in different countries, we make a point to get ice cream at the end of May/early June, a reminder of the show that brought us together. 

I was able to perform in my first musical as a freshman in college, something I never thought I’d be able to do. Growing up in a religious community, we only performed plays. When choosing a college, I never even considered that I would have the opportunity to be part of a musical. Since then, I’ve attended a theater karaoke night, performed a one-night-only INTO THE WOODS, and starred as Anna of Cleves during a cabaret night. 

As I’m back in the city for the summer, I’m constantly amazed by all the amazing opportunities theater’s given me. I’ve done press at a Broadway opening night, been an usher for one of my favorite off-Broadway shows, and met so many amazing people. Earlier this week, I had the incredible opportunity to see an exclusive screening of OKLAHOMA! The filmed version of the 1998 musical (starring Hugh Jackman) is coming to theaters for two nights only in July, and I was invited to an early screening. Not only was the pro-shot fantastic, the energy in the room was the real highlight of the evening. Every single person in that room was passionate about theater, and it showed. 

Every single theater fan/nerd/lover has a story of their first show. They reminisce about their first experience at Broadway. They tell it years later, because it’s what sparked their interest. 

When my mom called me in the middle of biology class to tell me she’d won the WICKED lottery, I had no idea what the next four and a half years would bring.

Theater is magic, and I’m so grateful that I get to experience that magic in so many aspects of my life.

(Photo: Allie @authoralliesarah and Joy @thebroadwaywiz at a screening of OKLAHOMA!)

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