Page 37 - August 2020 Voices
P. 37
to my drama teacher. I got along well with her, and parents. At the end, I realized that I had
but knew the obvious reasons she might hesitate crossed a threshold. If I asked for something, I
to choose me. How would an audience respond wouldn’t always be rejected. If I could screw up
to an actor whose expression never changes? the courage to put myself out there, people might
Whose diction wasn’t always clear? How much take me seriously and give me the opportunity
would my performance distract from the play? to prove myself. And, even if the answer was no,
Since this would be the last musical I realized it wasn’t the end of the world. I knew, and had
I had no choice. I went to her office, my knees shown, what I was capable of.
knocking, and requested that I play one of the I grew a lot from that whole experience. I
supporting characters in Grease. To my surprise learned to muster up my courage and to speak
and relief, she said yes. I finally had a larger part up when I was afraid I would be ignored or
in a musical! rejected. I learned that, while my voice may be
No longer was I on the sidelines. I had a major different from others, I have things to say—and
solo—the song Those Magic Changes. And boy, some people are interested in listening. I learned
was I nervous! On opening night, when it was that, what I assumed was simply about me and
time for my song, butterflies threatened to pour my challenges, could be a beacon for others who
out of my stomach onto the floor. But, I sang. And are also different—a moment of insight that could
the crowd went wild. Oh, what a feeling! encourage others to find their own voices.
In all of my performances in Grease, I David Freedman joined Toastmasters in 2013,
received acclaim from the student body, teachers, and is a member of Babble-on and Moser Community.
VOICES! | AUGUST 2020 37
