Sofia Paloka, Reporter
@SPalokaCourant
Being new to something can be an intimidating experience. The NCHS Drama program understands this and makes an effort to be inviting to new faces. According to senior Audrey Kirkpatrick, the program is very welcoming and makes those new members feel comfortable. “When I first came in, I remember that the senior class was super intimidating,” she said. “There was that initial fear but it went away because they immediately accepted the freshmen.”
Students in the program pride themselves in being a very tight knit group, as well as a highly esteemed one, something that Audrey is grateful for. “This program is voted best program in the Northeast for high school theater,” she said. “We are lucky because it allows us to develop our performing skills at a faster pace.” Freshman Erica Spiess agrees, and has experienced the rigor of the program along with all of its advantages. “The theater program is very serious, but a lot more fun because everyone knows what they’re doing.”
Although students in the program appreciate its intensity, it is something that freshman find hard to get used to. Sophomore Kaitlyn Piotroski recalls becoming accustomed to the program her freshman year and the transition from middle to high school theater. “I definitely had to get used to the rehearsals being more often, interacting more with different grades, and so much more,” she said.
Erin saw the transition as a difficult but beneficial one. “In middle school they had to ‘water it down’ a lot,” she said. “When you come to the high school, you have to really know what you’re doing, which is definitely more rewarding, but it’s also a lot harder.”
This program is the next step in achieving a career in theatrics, which Audrey points out is an important part as well. “Theater is what I want to do in the future, so this program has definitely helped me get where I want to be as a senior moving on to college,” she said. Although it is just one program by itself, it helped both Kaitlyn and Erin find other programs to be a part of. “This summer, I lived in the city for a month alone and spent four weeks at a theater program there,” Kaitlyn said. They were introduced to this program by their director who encourages growth outside of their program. “I was a part of regional theater over the summer which allowed me to practice, although not in the usual setting,” Erin said.
With performing in front of an auditorium full of people comes nerves, however Audrey points out that mistakes happen. “People forget lines, people forget quick changes, you know you have to make things up,” she said, “Things break all the time, but you have to move on with the performance.” Although this sounds like the worst case scenario, it is common and freshman are quickly learning to stay calm and collected.
“It’s a matter of staying calm, believing in yourself and thinking ‘ok, I’ve done this a million times before I got this,’” Kaitlyn said.
