Wadana Kakakhel, Grade 12
UWCEA Moshi
“Three, two, one!” As he counted down, I shook my arms to get rid of the nerves and ran over my lines at the speed of light before running on stage as I had been instructed to in countless previous rehearsals. I felt a rush of adrenaline as the lines started flowing and interactions with each character seemed as natural onstage as in real life. I had auditioned for the school play because acting onstage for the first time in Theatre class made me realize how beautiful and liberating the art form was.
The first meeting we had with the crew left me with a warm feeling as we all walked out, excited to see what rehearsals would hold. Two days later we met up for our first proper rehearsal and we warmed up before getting onstage and practicing lines. It was hilarious getting to know each other’s small quirks as the weeks went by. Our play had two groups that were acting in different scenes and being backstage was always memorable. From goofing around with props to scrambling to read our scripts seconds before we went onstage, every second I remember feels like a nostalgic dream.
Countless times we were yelled at to keep it down backstage but as soon as rehearsals ended our director, despite all the jokes he would make insinuating otherwise, would seem proud of the work we would get done. One of the things I will never forget was when he talked about how acting was a flow of energy, and when one actor brought that energy with them onstage, everyone else would automatically follow suit. I have carried this lesson with me from the stage to interactions in my daily life, when you show up with the right energy, that energy is often reciprocated.
I have learned countless lessons about body language and the expression of emotion from being onstage and being aware of those around me, and there is still loads to experience and learn but I’m in for the ride. Roaming around dorms after dress rehearsals with a full makeup look or singing in the corridors when everyone would leave the Blackbox and entering the study room with legs aching but heart content; these are the moments I cherish about theatre. The inside jokes and the countless moments where we all burst out laughing simultaneously is what I remember the most when it comes to the play. There was warmth all around and we were all there to put on a great show and have fun while we were at it.
Opening night was during Ramadan, and I still remember breaking my fast right before the play started and having dinner afterwards with friends from the crew. The feeling of accomplishment that came when we were done was absolutely surreal, there was a bittersweet feeling associated with it since we were so proud of making it happen but also sad about not waking up on Saturday morning for rehearsals or memorizing lines after dinner before rehearsals.
I will be auditioning for the next play and I hope to continue acting in plays at college. I came to UWC not knowing whether I should be taking Theatre, now I can say with confidence that it was one of the best decisions I made.
The first meeting we had with the crew left me with a warm feeling as we all walked out, excited to see what rehearsals would hold. Two days later we met up for our first proper rehearsal and we warmed up before getting onstage and practicing lines. It was hilarious getting to know each other’s small quirks as the weeks went by. Our play had two groups that were acting in different scenes and being backstage was always memorable. From goofing around with props to scrambling to read our scripts seconds before we went onstage, every second I remember feels like a nostalgic dream.
Countless times we were yelled at to keep it down backstage but as soon as rehearsals ended our director, despite all the jokes he would make insinuating otherwise, would seem proud of the work we would get done. One of the things I will never forget was when he talked about how acting was a flow of energy, and when one actor brought that energy with them onstage, everyone else would automatically follow suit. I have carried this lesson with me from the stage to interactions in my daily life, when you show up with the right energy, that energy is often reciprocated.
I have learned countless lessons about body language and the expression of emotion from being onstage and being aware of those around me, and there is still loads to experience and learn but I’m in for the ride. Roaming around dorms after dress rehearsals with a full makeup look or singing in the corridors when everyone would leave the Blackbox and entering the study room with legs aching but heart content; these are the moments I cherish about theatre. The inside jokes and the countless moments where we all burst out laughing simultaneously is what I remember the most when it comes to the play. There was warmth all around and we were all there to put on a great show and have fun while we were at it.
Opening night was during Ramadan, and I still remember breaking my fast right before the play started and having dinner afterwards with friends from the crew. The feeling of accomplishment that came when we were done was absolutely surreal, there was a bittersweet feeling associated with it since we were so proud of making it happen but also sad about not waking up on Saturday morning for rehearsals or memorizing lines after dinner before rehearsals.
I will be auditioning for the next play and I hope to continue acting in plays at college. I came to UWC not knowing whether I should be taking Theatre, now I can say with confidence that it was one of the best decisions I made.
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