A Day in the Life of a Drama Student

Hawkie667, you're right: there's a shortage of drama articles! Check out this one to tide you over until we get some more! —Sparkitors

I’d like to call myself accustomed to the way Sparklife works, seeing as I’ve been here for six months or so. I love the site, but there's one problem: I’m a major drama geek, and I've never seen a drama article! Obviously, there are some; I’m not an idiot wearing a propeller beanie (though that would be the most awesome thing ever…the beanie, not the idiot part). But there clearly aren't enough, so I figured I’d give you a little insight into the lives of the drama kids at my school.

2:00 PM: School's over! General rejoicing ensues as people fight their way through a traffic jam of kids. As I’m the shortest girl in my school (no lie), I generally get beaten and battered before I arrive at my locker. I quickly open it, grab my stuff, and book it down to my safe haven, the auditorium.

2:10 PM: The second I pass through the two purple doors into the lobby, the stressful atmosphere of the school day melts away. Immediately, I’m grabbed in a flying glomp by my friend. Staggering, I hug her back, and we walk into the auditorium.

2:15-2:30 PM: Crazy drama kids fresh out of class and in the place they love the most=pure chaos. Organized chaos, but chaos just the same. I normally hang out with my group of sets kids and costume kids. Our conversations usually span a variety of topics, like Harry Potter, dinosaurs, Blogging Twilight, food, the play, and driving tests. Plus, we're all conspiring to carry out a massive takeover of the stage and kidnap the techies and the major actors. Shhh! It’s a secret!

While we're catching up, the techies are either up in the catwalk (a long bridge up at the very top of the auditorium accessed by a ladder) running around like maniacs or playing God and talking through the microphone to the entire auditorium. They used to randomly plunge the stage into total darkness as a joke—until one of our helpers fell down the stairs and almost broke her ankle. OOPS!

2:45- 3:30 PM: During this time, our amazing director (Let’s call him Mr. P) arrives and we start rehearsal for our play, a murder mystery called My Fatal Valentine. I play a creepy old grandmother who hits on anything that walks and is actually a guy—awesome. We spend an hour or so tripping over our lines (and sometimes over our own feet) and laughing constantly. The end time varies depending on how focused we actually are.

3:30 PM-Whenever we’re done: We’re either running more of the play or walking around complaining about how hungry we are (there's  general adoration for anyone who brings food or brownies to rehearsal). Normally at this point I’m backstage helping with the sets, a job that includes power tools, wood chipping, sword battles, light saber fights, screams, acrobatics, laughs, playing with odd props, and chasing each other with dripping paintbrushes. Oh, did I mention that my drama club is made up of almost all girls? Girl power! (Sorry, Manklers.)

When I'm not doing sets, I help out with costumes. Instead of power tools, we have sewing machines and needles, and we're solely responsible if the costumes fall apart, leaving a naked and mortified lead actor in the middle of the stage. On the plus side, we also get to play dress up and scare the jocks as we parade past in old prom dresses or a weird pair of overalls from the Industrial Revolution.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Drama kids love one another to death; we’re all a giant family. On play nights, the tension and unbelievable joy, relief, and love is almost tangible. Everyone has your back, and you know you have theirs. If you're looking for a hobby, drama is one that I wholeheartedly recommend! It's 50% Acting or Working on Your Crew; 25% Running Around With Friends; 15% Moaning That You’re Hungry; 15% Cramming Lines; and 100% AMAZING FUN!!!!

We're still not sure what a "flying glomp" is—can any of your drama lovers help us out?

Related post: A Day in the Life of a Theater Techie