Am I stressed out of my mind with sports, societies, and shows? Absolutely. Do I regret it at all? Absolutely not. I have been so busy recently, but as my commitments are winding down the magical veil is starting to falter and I am exposed to the harsh light of the academic pressure of deadlines.
It's a lot less fun without the haze of hairspray making the difficult things seem softer. I genuinely think my systems would shut down without the arts. The moment we closed my last show this semester, my calendar immediately filled up again with new things. I think I have a problem. Maybe I need to get checked for it.
Coming into student productions as a theatre kid who hasn't really done a full show before was terrifying but it's been the most incredible experience and everyone's been so lovely. This has been my chance to regain all the attention I never got from my peers as a kids and I can officially say that, like Lady Gaga, I do in fact live for the applause.
Credit: Kate Nolting.
Turning around for the first time from watching my co-stars take their bows and seeing the audience on their feet is a feeling that has engraved itself into my heart. I just need to hold my friends' hands another time under the sweltering stage lights and let my cheeks hurt and I know I'll feel all right again. My parts in the shows I was in this semester weren’t important and maybe I'm not an amazing actor, but I don't care. All I want is to be with them again in a stupid costume and just stand there and make people laugh.
Whilst I am by no means the best in my class, dance has also been an absolute blast and I'm loving being able to make new dance friends. Working with other dancers and having people I can look up to is such a privilege and I'm loving being able to dance in such a friendly environment. The teachers who put up with my constant hopeless questions deserve an award.
Picking up three show dances in such a short amount of time has been tough but so much fun, and I'm learning a lot about perseverance and dedication. I can't wait for the show, but I'm also praying that I don't fall on stage, because goodness knows I've done it too many times before. But, the thing is, I know there won't be horrific consequences and just maybe the show spirit here will work their magic again. Also, this is a formal apology to every person I've crashed into whilst dancing this semester.
Credit: Ryan Cunningham.
On the topic of improving, the music community is (as always) an incredible environment, and something I couldn't live without. Although I didn't get into any groups this year, I'm still trying to find the time to practise on my own and keep going for next year.
I feel slightly bad for the people who live in the rooms next to the music room in Uni Hall, but I hope you're enjoying my thumping out Christmas carols on the piano already! Those walls have heard the same croaky arias far too many times and, whilst I very often can't be bothered to haul my clarinet down there, the soundproofing is probably needed to sweeten the sound of me practising. Music has genuinely saved me since I moved up here though; carving out time in my week to sing in a choir or even at a cabaret always makes sure I remember who I am.
Something that isn't a familiar part of my personality, though, is sport. Yet, I've found some of my favourite people in the sports that I've been doing. It's been so much fun figuring out that maybe the problem really was my high school PE teachers. I have never considered myself sporty – I still need to be careful my heart rate doesn't exceed 220 after jogging for 30 minutes – but seeing myself develop coordination and be able to make a ball go in at least the right direction has given me the endorphins hit I didn't realise physical exertion could actually inspire. Who knows, maybe I'll even go back next week?
I love being able to support my friends in shows (and now on the field). The creative arts bond runs so deep and is such a special thing to be able to share with people. Even more fun, though, is getting to participate in these things with my friends, and I've still got so many more rehearsals to go before the semester finishes. Unless you're a part of it, it's really impossible to know exactly what the thrill of shows feels like, but I can safely say that I'm completely addicted. One thing you can do if you're not part of theatre, however, is to come and see the shows – so get your tickets!
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