In My Own Words: What it's like to be a freshman in 'High School Musical'

In My Own Words

In this installment of In My Own Words, Erin Kuntz talks about her debut Lampeter-Strasburg stage experience.  

I was involved in my high school's production of High School Musical. I thought I'd share my experiences as a freshman.

I had been planning to audition for the spring musical since eighth grade regardless of what the musical was. My mother had been involved in the musicals at L-S when she was a student. She always made them sound fun. When I heard it was High School Musical, I got excited. I was familiar with the show. I thought it would be easy. I was wrong.

When I first looked at the audition music I realized that the music was primarily very high. I even had trouble hitting a few of the higher notes.

The dancing was fast paced requiring a lot of concentration. My dance audition went okay. Being as clumsy as I am, I tripped over my own feet several times. Before the singing try-outs, I was confident while singing with my friends. When I stepped into the room and began my audition, my voice sounded different. I was quiet and squeaky. When I got home I prepared myself for the worst, not making the cast.

The day the cast list was posted, I was out sick with a headache. I texted my friends asking them to check the list for me, and I waited and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Then finally one of my friends notified me that I was on the list. I had been cast as a Thespian. I was surprised and overjoyed. This is where the long months of rehearsal began.

At the first music audition, I was nervous and shy, so I sat with a small group of friends. The harmonies for the altos were complicated. I sung them quietly, trying not to stand out.
By the third week of practice, I was singing more confidently, but I was still shy and so I stayed with the same two girls.

At the first dance rehearsal, we were split into our cliques and I was separated from my friends because neither of them were Thespians. We were then put into even smaller groups and were given different subdivisions. 

I was put with two girls I had never met before, but luckily they are very nice. We became the "Sharpettes," A.K.A Ryan and Sharpay's posse. Once we got on stage and were using the set, we began interacting with each other on and off stage, which was a great way for me to meet people and get to know them. Over the course of the next few weeks, I became friends with some insanely talented people and unlock my inner diva.

With High School Musical opening this weekend, I have been reflecting on my experiences during the past three months. I have made many new friends (sadly, some of whom are graduating), grown as a performer, and had so much fun . 

I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to have been involved in this show as a freshman, and I'm looking forward to the next three shows!

--By Erin Kuntz, LS News reporter

In My Own Words is a first person written series that highlights Lampeter-Strasburg High School students activities.