Maggie Dornisch
Bishop Feehan High School
Theater people are special people. There are actually different types of “theater people;” there are those who watch theater and appreciate it, there are those who understand theater and they have an idea of how difficult it is to bring a show to life, and then there are those who are involved in theater, either as a performer, a member of a stage crew, or they are a member of the technical team. Those people who are involved in theater, they LOVE theater, for so many reasons. I am one of those people who LOVES theater, and for all of the reasons.
When I was younger my father introduced me to his world of theater. He was involved in several productions with the Walpole Footlighters theater group and one of my earliest memories is sitting on his lap watching a rehearsal. My mother had to take my younger brother to an Urgent Care doctor visit one evening and my dad was forced to bring me to his rehearsal. I don’t remember what show he was in at the time, but I have a picture of me sitting on his lap and we were both intently watching whatever action was happening on stage. Over the next several years he was in more shows and, while I was too young at the time to know what they were, I was always aware of him leaving three nights a week for rehearsals.
When I was old enough to audition for the Walpole Children’s theater I excitedly did just that. I got a small role, but I was instantly hooked on the process and the community of live theater. I was in my first show when I was 5 years old, it was High School Musical. I preferred musical theater, so while I only performed in a couple shows through the Children’s Theater group, I found other groups to audition for, including Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center and Uncommon Theater Company, and Ensemble Performing Arts Studio. I had the privilege of being cast in 30 shows and performed in front of hundreds, probably thousands of people.
When it was time for me to think about attending high school, I knew I wanted to continue my involvement in musical theater. My family and I decided that Bishop Feehan High School would be a good fit for me and it has proven to be exactly that. Through high school I have performed in 4 amazing musicals including: Hadestown, Shrek, Urinetown, and Godspell. I also continued to perform with Ensemble Theater and was cast in Footloose, Pippin, Newsies, and Legally Blonde.
So why do I love theater and what does it mean to me?
Theater is not easy. Lots of people want to be in a show, and they are all talented, so to be selected for a cast list is an achievement in itself.
Theater is not quick. It does not just happen overnight. Countless hours over weeks of rehearsals are filled with physical and mental struggles. Blocking and running a scene until it runs like clockwork and it ties seamlessly to the next scene. The grind of “tech week” leading up to the show’s opening.
Theater does not always love you back. The lackluster crowd or the lowered energy on the second night of a show, with more shows on the horizon. It is exhausting and takes a serious toll on a person’s body and mind.
Theater takes courage. You must perform in front of countless directors and audiences who are always judging what you do and how you do it. But theater gives you opportunities to try new skills, develop new characters and master your talents with the support of a like-minded team.
Theater always teaches. Every show is a new adventure. Every show brings new people into my life. Within these casts are people who have a passion for theater like myself and they understand what it takes to create a production. They have talents and skills that I can learn from, and they have an interest in working with and learning from me.
Theater is universal. Humans love stories. We love to share our experiences and we find comfort in sharing our emotions with others. Through music, dancing, blocking and scripts, I am (hopefully) able to bring happiness and sadness to others.
Theater has been so many things for me and it has made me all of the following: a better teammate, a more creative person, a person who can manage their time better, a person willing to step outside their comfort zone, a better listener, a better friend, it has given me bravery in situations that I may have found uncomfortable. In all, theater has given me so much, and I am excited to get involved in my next show. Of course that next show will be in college which means new challenges to face and overcome, new people to meet, new stories to tell, and new experiences to add to my already amazing personal history of theater in my life.
Bishop Feehan High School
Theater people are special people. There are actually different types of “theater people;” there are those who watch theater and appreciate it, there are those who understand theater and they have an idea of how difficult it is to bring a show to life, and then there are those who are involved in theater, either as a performer, a member of a stage crew, or they are a member of the technical team. Those people who are involved in theater, they LOVE theater, for so many reasons. I am one of those people who LOVES theater, and for all of the reasons.
When I was younger my father introduced me to his world of theater. He was involved in several productions with the Walpole Footlighters theater group and one of my earliest memories is sitting on his lap watching a rehearsal. My mother had to take my younger brother to an Urgent Care doctor visit one evening and my dad was forced to bring me to his rehearsal. I don’t remember what show he was in at the time, but I have a picture of me sitting on his lap and we were both intently watching whatever action was happening on stage. Over the next several years he was in more shows and, while I was too young at the time to know what they were, I was always aware of him leaving three nights a week for rehearsals.
When I was old enough to audition for the Walpole Children’s theater I excitedly did just that. I got a small role, but I was instantly hooked on the process and the community of live theater. I was in my first show when I was 5 years old, it was High School Musical. I preferred musical theater, so while I only performed in a couple shows through the Children’s Theater group, I found other groups to audition for, including Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center and Uncommon Theater Company, and Ensemble Performing Arts Studio. I had the privilege of being cast in 30 shows and performed in front of hundreds, probably thousands of people.
When it was time for me to think about attending high school, I knew I wanted to continue my involvement in musical theater. My family and I decided that Bishop Feehan High School would be a good fit for me and it has proven to be exactly that. Through high school I have performed in 4 amazing musicals including: Hadestown, Shrek, Urinetown, and Godspell. I also continued to perform with Ensemble Theater and was cast in Footloose, Pippin, Newsies, and Legally Blonde.
So why do I love theater and what does it mean to me?
Theater is not easy. Lots of people want to be in a show, and they are all talented, so to be selected for a cast list is an achievement in itself.
Theater is not quick. It does not just happen overnight. Countless hours over weeks of rehearsals are filled with physical and mental struggles. Blocking and running a scene until it runs like clockwork and it ties seamlessly to the next scene. The grind of “tech week” leading up to the show’s opening.
Theater does not always love you back. The lackluster crowd or the lowered energy on the second night of a show, with more shows on the horizon. It is exhausting and takes a serious toll on a person’s body and mind.
Theater takes courage. You must perform in front of countless directors and audiences who are always judging what you do and how you do it. But theater gives you opportunities to try new skills, develop new characters and master your talents with the support of a like-minded team.
Theater always teaches. Every show is a new adventure. Every show brings new people into my life. Within these casts are people who have a passion for theater like myself and they understand what it takes to create a production. They have talents and skills that I can learn from, and they have an interest in working with and learning from me.
Theater is universal. Humans love stories. We love to share our experiences and we find comfort in sharing our emotions with others. Through music, dancing, blocking and scripts, I am (hopefully) able to bring happiness and sadness to others.
Theater has been so many things for me and it has made me all of the following: a better teammate, a more creative person, a person who can manage their time better, a person willing to step outside their comfort zone, a better listener, a better friend, it has given me bravery in situations that I may have found uncomfortable. In all, theater has given me so much, and I am excited to get involved in my next show. Of course that next show will be in college which means new challenges to face and overcome, new people to meet, new stories to tell, and new experiences to add to my already amazing personal history of theater in my life.
