Personal Narrative: My Transition To Public High School
I’ve always been shy. Which is why if you had told my seventh-grade self that in three years I’d be acting, singing, and dancing my heart out on stage in front of an audience; I would have thought you were insane.
I used to be the kid that would never speak up in class, and if I was called on to answer a question, my heart rate would go through the roof and I could barely breathe. I went to a charter school for elementary and middle school, so the transition to public high school was tough. I went from having a large friend group to not knowing anyone.
I’ve always had an interest in theatre, so after a week of feeling completely alone, I decided to join. Within minutes of stepping foot into the auditorium, I was greeted with open arms by everyone
in the drama club. All of a sudden, these kids were waving hi to me in the hallway and asking me to sit with them at lunch. I instantly found a second family within the theater.
In addition to gaining an amazing group of friends, being in theatre has helped me come out of my shell and feel more comfortable talking in front of people. Delving into a character and leaving my normal self behind allows me to break out of my comfort zone and stretch the limits of what I thought I could do. Through acting, I’ve been able to bring out different sides of my personality to fit each role.
Whether I portrayed a pious nun, an overzealous mother, a devious housekeeper, or a star-crossed lover, each character I became gave me a new perspective on life and allowed me to gain confidence not only in my acting, but in myself in general. I am so grateful that I found my second home within the theater because the skills that I have learned on stage will carry over after high school and benefit me in any career that I choose to pursue.
I used to be the kid that would never speak up in class, and if I was called on to answer a question, my heart rate would go through the roof and I could barely breathe. I went to a charter school for elementary and middle school, so the transition to public high school was tough. I went from having a large friend group to not knowing anyone.
I’ve always had an interest in theatre, so after a week of feeling completely alone, I decided to join. Within minutes of stepping foot into the auditorium, I was greeted with open arms by everyone
in the drama club. All of a sudden, these kids were waving hi to me in the hallway and asking me to sit with them at lunch. I instantly found a second family within the theater.
In addition to gaining an amazing group of friends, being in theatre has helped me come out of my shell and feel more comfortable talking in front of people. Delving into a character and leaving my normal self behind allows me to break out of my comfort zone and stretch the limits of what I thought I could do. Through acting, I’ve been able to bring out different sides of my personality to fit each role.
Whether I portrayed a pious nun, an overzealous mother, a devious housekeeper, or a star-crossed lover, each character I became gave me a new perspective on life and allowed me to gain confidence not only in my acting, but in myself in general. I am so grateful that I found my second home within the theater because the skills that I have learned on stage will carry over after high school and benefit me in any career that I choose to pursue.