By Aditi (Class of 2026)
It all started with a small room, a piano, and me singing Happy Birthday like it was a tragic ballad. Little did I know that this one audition in November would throw me headfirst into one of the most chaotic, challenging, and downright magical experiences of my life—bringing to life one of the most iconic musicals of recent times.
Rehearsals began in fragments. At first, it was just a few cast members singing and harmonizing under the directors’ guidance—scattered and uncertain. There were countless moments when I thought, What the hell am I doing? Is this right? Will we actually pull this off? But our choreographers and directors? Absolute lifesavers. They transformed our flailing limbs into actual dance moves and our hesitant harmonies into something that resembled music. Without them, this production wouldn’t have been possible. Gradually, the chaos found its rhythm—isolated choreographies began to fit together, strained voices blended into harmony, and the musical finally took shape.
And then, of course, the universe decided to throw one last curveball. Four hours before showtime, a dust devil (yes, actual devil energy) tore through our set—toppling boards, wrecking mics and lights, and ripping down curtains—leaving us in what can only be described as the eye of the hurricane. But, like any set of true theatre kids, we did what we do best—screamed in panic, ensured everyone was safe, then scrambled to fix it. The Light and Sound team has my full admiration; against all odds, they managed to repair the damage just in time.
Standing on that stage, hearing the applause, I realized something: this was more than just a performance. It was a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the countless late-night rehearsals that brought us here. From that first off-key Happy Birthday to our final bow, every moment was unforgettable. And in true theatrical fashion—we did not throw away our shot.
