The Axiomatic Musings of a Teen who wrote and directed a winning One Act play.

That's right. I did it. We did it. 

Running up onto the stage to claim our victory was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Trying to hold back tears of happiness and pride and tell everyone how grateful we were…that’s something I’ll never forget. 

I love that cast so much. We worked so hard. Just about everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong, but we pulled through. I did everything I possibly could and it paid off. If we decided we needed a severed limb as a prop I’d be the first to take a saw to my arm, this show meant that much to me xD. After four years we just needed this; if we had lost I don’t know if I could have lived with myself, knowing that I let them down every year. But it doesn’t matter, because we did it. It’s really a feat, too, the other grades were all awesome but we still pulled it off :D. 

We have so much fun together, too. Like my favorite memories aren’t just of the show, but of blaring Glee music in DeMeo’s room and everyone (even Jack and Calvin!!) dancing like crazy people and having a good time, laughing and just enjoying each other’s company. They’re genuinely such great people :). 

Being a director is one of the most rewarding feelings there is. Just the amazing process of sitting on my bed typing up a script on my laptop, then distributing it to the cast, guiding them as they learn and rehearse, and finally seeing what I had imagined on paper suddenly be real right before my eyes…it’s incomparable. Although, it wasn’t even what I imagined on paper; they took each part as I wrote it for them and made it even more their own, made it better than I could have ever dreamed of.

It’s not easy, though, to keep a confident and level head even when inside you’re terrified. Watching the sophomores last night, I’ll admit I got really scared. The audience laughed every minute of it and I didn’t know if my cast was going to be able to top that kind of reaction. I was freaking out for like 5 minutes to Jack and a couple others, but when we came back into the room for a meeting we talked about all the strengths we have, and how it’s good that the audience will be prepared to laugh and enjoy our show even more. We got so excited that we broke into a stampede singing “OLE OLE OLE OLE! OLE, OLE!” and running through all the basement hallways during intermission xD. We took our cast pictures and then dispersed and I found myself talking to Jack. He made a comment that he was glad that I didn’t let the cast see how nervous I was and I simply replied, “Well of course.” Director’s can’t show fear. Directors take fear from the actors and turn it into motivation, that’s our job. I’m sure Chico and maybe others that know me well enough might have picked up on something but for the most part, I’d call a screaming running skipping stampede of excitement a display of some pretty good morale xD. 

(And for the record, although I think I was justified in being concerned because it’s my job to prepare for and preempt the worst-case scenerios, the cast shouldn’t take that a lack of confidence in their abilities. I know they were awesome, I just didn’t quite know how awesome they would have to be to win. Obviously they did :D.)

I don’t know if the cast ever really truly understands what it takes to direct a show. I sure as hell didn’t until I tried it freshman year, and not even then until really sophomore year in our first year that we actually performed. It’s all the little details that need to be taken care of, all the tasks and stresses that no one else ever really has to concern themselves with that are necessary to put on a good show. And the stress of such a responsibility…it’s certainly not for the light-hearted. But oh when it works how it pays off. :)

Tips I’ve Learned (that might the younger grade directors with their shows next year if they don’t do these already):
-If people can’t or aren’t going to be committed for at least 85% of the rehearsals, give them a small role or tell them to reconsider auditioning. Learned that one the hard way :P.
-Just stop talking then talk softly when you want to make a point about something, yelling just makes everyone else yell louder; talking softly means they need to listen.
-Don’t take just criticism notes, take positive compliments too. I just personally love the look on an actor’s face when you give them a positive note. They really value it :).
-One of the coolest things I love doing with our cast is before each performance, I have them think of a song that embodies their character to keep stuck in their head during the show. They seem to really like it and the song choices are always really spot-on. It helps keep you thinking in character and focused. Like mine last night was Party in the USA, [character names!] Amin’s was Sexy and I Know It, JenJen’s was Ours, Raphael’s was I Want It All, Steven’s was Hard Knock Life etc, etc.
-Don’t take competition too seriously: love everyone! Feuds are a waste of time. I love the post-show hugging between all the grades, everyone congratulating one another, it’s so awesome. No one likes the, “_____ SHOULD HAVE WON!!” guys :P. 

God I am so proud of them. The more I think about it the more I just want to keep giving big cast group hugs. 

So yeah. That’s pretty much my reflection on One Acts and directing this year. I'm going to miss it so much, it's easily been my favorite activity that I've been a part of in High School.

*: "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson
**: "Hey Soul Sister" by Train