Beloit Memorial High School Theatre
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I'm
honestly terrified to think where I would be right now had it not been for both
band and theatre.
Outside of these two groups I was timid, shy, perhaps even a bit standoffish.
Certainly I was uncomfortable, both with the people I was around and with who I
was as a person.
Every close friend, almost every substantial connection I have to Beloit,
Wisconsin, came as a result of these two organizations. The theatre gave me a
group of wonderful, intelligent, kind-hearted (well, generally), and (perhaps
most of all) extraordinarily talented people I am lucky enough to call my
friends. It gave me a sense of community in a high school environment where I
had had none before. Band reinforced this sense of community, and furthermore
developed my sense of confidence and self-worth through the achievements made by
our successful music program.
All in all, I don't think I'd be half the person I am today without these
programs, and not because of the material performed or produced or etc., but
simply for the ripple effect being involved with them has had on my life, and
all the things I would not have if I had not been apart of them.
--David Sitrick, ‘04
One of my best memories of the theatre is the night we went to Madison to perform "A Midsummer's Dream" on A Higher Ground. I remember sitting in my seat, waiting to go up to the microphones, and being so amazed that I had come from being a shy, awkward freshman to being a confident, outgoing senior about to perform a lead role on national radio. How amazing is that? Not only did the theatre help me become more confident, build amazing friendships, learn how to paint truffula trees and how to sing (sort-of), but it gave me David Anderson. It gave me this huge opportunity to perform Shakespeare on a bare stage supported by nothing but myself. And I did it. And it was amazing. And high school would have been a big muddy mess if it weren't for the theatre. And Wallendal. Especially Wallendal. (Be sure to put that in the letter.)
--Catie White, ‘05
My favorite theatre moment at BMHS was on stage at the end of Seussical on closing night. After our elephant bird had hatched out of her egg, and Aaron and I were standing with her by ourselves at the front of the stage singing the final part of our song...there is nothing that makes me feel more alive than performing. It's one of those feelings that's worth fighting for to feel again...which I'm realizing now more than ever since I haven't gotten involved in a production yet at college. I feel like I'm never doing anything good for myself...I'm unhappy with so many things in my life, and yet theatre I can say is truly all for me. Because in that moment on stage with Aaron, I can remember thinking that there is absolutely no place, or time, or person I'd rather be than me, right at that moment. And I never feel that way EVER, so it's big. If happiness is even real, it was real in that moment. And nothing brings a group of people together more than a production, which in itself is a beautiful thing. I mean in a way, it's everything.
--Sarah Kodras, ‘05
Where would I be without theatre? From a person who has been in the pit, on stage, and behind it, I can tell you that it deeply impacted my life like nothing else has. When I was a freshman and saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" performed on our stage, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the experience. Since then I have been involved in some way with seven BMHS productions, and more productions outside of school. All my closest friendships were formed during my time in theatre, and it has taught me a lot in life, from carpentry to singing to playing trombone. I am truly thankful of all my experiences from the theatre, good or bad, because they shaped my life in a most profound way.
--Greg Long, ‘05