To calm their nerves before a big performance, some students have special rituals to get over their stress before going on stage.
Performing in the winter play, “You Can’t Take It With You,” Freshman Lily Davis said she is most worried about with the upcoming performances is making up missed time from the snow days.
“Tech Week is extremely stressful, especially when we’ve had all these snow days. Not only do the actors have less time to prepare, it also means that the production team and crew have less time to prepare,” Davis said.
Before performances, Davis said she helps calm her nerves by reminding herself why she performs.
“This is what I love doing, and it’s getting me somewhere,” Davis said. “It’s another thing to add to my resume, it’s another thing to tell people that I did and I know it’s gonna be fun on stage.”
As spring begins, juniors and seniors, like Mimi Wood begin to prepare for Encore. Wood said she is excited to perform in both Encore and the winter play. In the winter play, Wood plays the part of Alice Sycamore and is performing three songs this year for Encore.
“I have the most stress over learning lines for the show because I have around 190 lines, and then just the combination of being prepared for both equally and prioritizing both.” Wood said.
Before opening night, Wood said she was feeling more stress than excitement.
“I haven’t put enough time aside to learn my lines, I’m starting to feel more stressed and feeling like the show is coming too quickly,” Wood said.
To manage anxiety, Wood says she makes sure to keep some free time open after all her rehearsals.
“I always just take at least an hour before I go to bed to just like, read a book, watch a show, drink some tea and just like, calm down, because that’s like, what I need to reset and do it again the next day,” Wood said.
Unlike Wood, sophomore Abel Hegeman who is performing in the winter play and Pops, said he calms his nerves before going on stage by messing around with his cast mates to lighten the mood.
“Cracking jokes before everyone goes on stage, because laughter helps ease the situation,” Hegeman said.
Freshman Lex Walker says playing a lead in the play comes with big responsibilities to the rest of the cast and crew.
“I usually just talk to other people about random things to get my mind off of it,” Walker said.
Leading up to the last performances, Walker said she usually feels less stressed but more sad that the experience is all over.
“I’m probably more stressed and excited, but also probably at the very last performance, I’m more sad, and then the very beginning is always the most stressful.”
