#I've worked all day long and it's 6pm and I'm extremely tired

[kirk-goes-to-gallifrey]

in the decade that I’ve been here I guess I’ve never turned anon on (or if I did it was so long ago I don’t remember) and now I’m wondering if I’d get some freaky shit or if it would be cool in case I turned it on 🤔

[myvirtualdesk]

Semester Highlight: NEU Freshmen Musicals '19

⚠️ EXTREMELY LONG POST

November 25, 2019 - My first theatre play. My first musical. My first produced program.  🎭🎶🎙️

I had a hard time choosing which pictures to show here because every image contains a memory, a lesson to be remembered forever.

It was a regular school day and Sir Elson, of EBC, went to our classroom together with the New Era Communicators' club to find strong performers for the upcoming annual event. I don't have the guts to audition but I knew deep down along my spine that I could somehow, can. I'm untalented but I want to perform. Do you think that's enough? I've always asked that to myself. But then, I didn't come for it. I don't regret it though. God prepared me for something bigger.

My blockmates were amazing. Raj sang How Far I'll go (who got to take the Bearded Lady's role in TGS), Zean perfectly had his version of A Whole New World (he had P.T. Barnum's role) and a lot of them absolutely gave me goosebumps.

Soon enough, we were presented with choices of various musicals to perform. After a long fight between Legally Blonde, Be More Chill and The Greatest Showman, we made the choice of TGS. And as we assign the production heads, hi, it's your girl first-timer, as the producer.

After a week of practice, we found ourselves to the first block preview. Sir Elson can't be frank on our first showcase, but I'm telling you, WE FAILED MISERABLY. And we know that. Second, failure. Third, with the song Come Alive, we passed.

If I only started blogging the experience before I'm sure I should've told a better, complete and detailed story.

We all literally ugly cried on the day Sir Elson said, "So, I'm giving you the musical," in front of the officers and fellow freshmen.

As we continue practice, our senior ates and kuyas in COC were always there to support and guide us each step of the way. The rehearsals burned calories and triggered patience by the freaks and main characters. The production staff hardly even sleep as we all make props and costume at vacant hours and bring them home to continue.

As the producer, I spend my days walking around the school almost every day completing papers and making sure lists and inventories are spic and span. I also became a big sister to Tin, fetching her, bringing her home and even buying her food. She's our little girl who took the role for Barnum's daughter.

I lost a lot of weight. And I even got sick. A lot of us came to a day of giving up our tasks because of personal and family problems. Plenty were not able to attend school early and are failing exams. We tried to balance play and academics, but it's incredibly uneasy! Most of us have church duties which we all prioritize, and that usually overlap rehearsal hours. Our families, especially those who stay in dorms, begin to worry TOO MUCH that we can't blame them. Additional to that, we can't avoid the misunderstandings and uncontrollable feelings when everyone gets too tired. I can't explain more. Even the day of our Dress Tech rehearsal gave us all tears as it had a misunderstanding on the schedule. We sacrificed a lot. Because of preparation for two shows, we almost lost ourselves.

Until the last few weeks of preparation, we started our devotional prayers. Our whole class goes to church every 3PM to kneel and pray for strength and guidance. It was our most gracious weapon. Beyond everything, it motivated us the most. The fact that God gave us these talents. Our God assigned us these responsibilities. Our God brought us here because He wants us to showcase His gifts. By these reasons, we are inspired to continue the show as 31 students with 31 dreams, as we give back all the glory to Him.

The show was delayed as it was originally scheduled. And oh I was thankful. Because the date God gave us was a day where my whole family could watch. I was blessed!

The day was special. We all woke up early. Prepared the whole Comm studio with banners and banderitas to create a circus atmosphere. The director, Millenna and I were the busiest. And soon enough, we had it. The 6PM show was better than the first. But God, it was successful. Our classmates' families and friends were there, they all gave us hugs and kisses and the students and teachers were all clapping their hands. My family, my best friends with a huge smile on their faces...goodness....

Worth it.

The following days were cleaning but my job as the producer didn't come to an end as I work on submitting the evaluations and compiling our files to the COC library. We had school programs and even a new year's eve event where my company and other prods were invited to perform.

That was a long story, but nah, this didn't came to one fourth of the real experience. All in all, I'm grateful and excited to what's in stored for me this college.

"Para sa Ama, Para sa Magulang, Para sa Pangarap!" -31 Dreams Production

(EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY)