By Sarah McMillin, Assistant Living and Arts Editor
I never thought I would be able to follow my dreams.
Ever since I was a little kid, I loved musicals. For two and a half hours or so I was transported to a world where everything is in perfect harmony and everyone lives happily ever after. It was magical.
I wanted to be a Broadway star. What musical theatre-loving kid doesn’t? Was this a realistic goal? No. Did I realize that? Also no.
I took any opportunity I had to perform. I did theatre throughout high school and it was one of the best things about my high school career.
As much as I loved being on stage, it was not what I was going to do for the rest of my life. That’s when I started to look more into the magic that went on behind the curtain.
During my senior year of high school, I was the head of makeup for our production of “The Addams Family,” in which I did a full two-hour long makeup look to make an eighteen-year-old look 80 to play Grandma Addams. I was nominated for a Connecticut high school theatre award, and the show ultimately won best musical in the state.
When I first came to college, I accepted the fact that my involvement in theater had come to an end. I was majoring in communications. I didn’t think I would even try to join the theatre department at Susquehanna.
Then, in the summer before my first year, I got the notice that the fall musical was “The Addams Family.” I thought, “Wouldn’t that be fun to do again?” and so I auditioned.
I didn’t get in.
On the off chance that I would be able to be involved in some other way, I asked if there was anything else that I could do. Someone suggested I go volunteer in the costume shop.
Our costume shop in high school was one mom and her minivan. But I thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Fast forward three years, and not only am I a theater major as well as communications, but I am also the theatre department’s student wardrobe supervisor, and I love what I am doing.
If I had given up on theater, I would not have had some of the best moments of my college career. My life would have been very different. I’m glad it is not.
So chase your dreams. Get involved in the things you want to do. Don’t let yourself get in the way of yourself. Most importantly, do not be afraid to try new things, even if you have no experience with them. You only get one shot at life, so make it as true to yourself as it can be.
