When I first wrote about the FDRHS Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Shrek the Musical, I focused on the excitement: the characters, the flashy costumes, and the anticipation of opening night. But actually living through the experience of putting this show together taught me that the real magic didn’t just happen on stage under the bright lights. It happened in the late-night rehearsals, the chaotic backstage moments, and the realization of what it truly takes to build a community.
Standing under the stage lights as a cast member was an unforgettable way to wrap up my senior year, but some of my absolute favorite moments actually happened in the wings and backstage. There is a unique bond in the chaos, like the collective adrenaline rush while stressing out, trying to pull off quick costume changes, or the moments when we would all fight over who got to take a nap on the dummy backstage between scenes. Even when we weren’t performing, we passed the time singing and dancing together in the dressing rooms. Those unscripted moments of connection are what I will hold onto the longest.
Before the show could even happen, the set had to be built from scratch, and as a stage manager working alongside tech had become one of my favorite parts of the whole experience. Spending hours getting our hands dirty, setting up projectors, painting set pieces, and moving lights taught me what real teamwork looks like. There’s a crazy amount of pride in looking at a scene during a performance and knowing exactly how much sweat, laughter, and effort went into putting it together. Tech taught me that the magic offstage is just as important as the magic on stage. Every cue written down, every piece of spike tape, and every stroke of paint was a lesson in responsibility, and I’m so grateful I spent time learning that a production’s heartbeat is just as much in the crew as it is in the actors on stage.
Leaving the FDRHS Theatre Company is probably one of the hardest parts of graduating. It’s incredibly bittersweet to realize that rehearsals are over and the sets have been struck. This stage has been a safe haven, a classroom, and a second home.
To the cast, crew, and teachers: thank you for making my final show at FDR unforgettable. I am going to miss the chaos, the dancing, and the people more than I can express. I might be leaving this stage behind, but a piece of my heart is always staying right here with the FDRHS Theatre Company.
