Senior Send-Off Vol. 1
I wasn't gonna write anything cuz I really don't have time, and I stayed home today so I could do the gargantuan amount of homework I have, but I just read Sam's entry and started losing it, so here I go.
The first thing that I completely forgot to say in my speech--and the one thing I had written down--was that during that first year of crew, I was like--I fucking love this. I could easily do it FOREVER. Not til I retire, not til I die--like, beyond the grave. So I decided that year that this was what I wanted to do with my life, and I am. I'm going to college--not sure where yet, but at least I have Purchase in the bag (and it's incredible) [EDIT: and Ithaca--funny story later], and I'm gonna do this for as long as I possibly can. BUT--I can only hope and pray and yearn that I will be able to work with a group like ours again. And make any friends that I'll be half as close with or trust half as much--god, not even half, like a quarter of what I have now would give me an amazing circle of friends.
Other schools don't have theater like ours. It's true. You may think that the traditions and bonds and chemistry that we have are a norm among high school or even college theater programs, but if you've ever talked to anyone who's come or gone from our school to another, they can tell you that there's no comparison.
Have I ever told you the story about the cast party I went to for one of Lincoln's shows? (no offense, Linc) First off, the house was gorgeous, so it had some serious potential. The cast and crew were sitting on the couches, chairs, floor of the living room, just chillin--still potential. BUT half the parents were in plain sight in the kitchen, there was one lonely TRUE theatre kid rockin' out to Avenue Q in the corner with the low-volume boom-box, and the DIRECTOR stopped by to chill with the kids and the 'rents. It was closing night--there was no DP, no paper plates, no notable after show tradition of any kind other than this (to steal from the Cappies) languid cast "party." The whole thing left me in shock and slight disgust with the rest of the theater world--and I don't want that feeling with any group that I have any reason to call myself part of.
Each year, I like to do this thing where I go through each of the seniors and talk about how they affected me and how much I admire them and such. This year, however, I am a senior, and we're all seniors, and we all know eachother pretty well already. So, I'd like to talk about the juniors.
Here, presented in alphabetical order, the SRGs and -Bs of '07...
Alex--You are one of the coolest kids I know. You have the most amazing sense of responsibility, and I completely admire you for that. You gave crew back to me, and for that I owe you so much.
Anna--You are a crazy kid. Wootton theatre would not have been as much fun without you there, and I'm definitely gonna miss the antics. Never let anything stand in your way.
Beth--I remember one day at crew last year, Karen Lowe came up to me and said, "Who's that girl standing next to Jim? She's fucking gorgeous!" You're awesome, and you can do so much.
Carolyn--You have taken such charge of props these past couple years. It's been awesome to see you grow--even if I haven't gotten to know you very well. Best of luck.
Christina--I've know for a long time, but never well. You're incredibly talented and deserve the recognition for it.
David--You're one of my favorites. Through Joseph and theatre class and DPs and you catching the acting bug from your walk-on in Fiddler--it's been awesome. You'll always be my Davy.
Eli--We've never gotten close, but you've definitely been a major part of crew for me, even in mere presence. You bring so much to Wootton theatre.
Emily--We have one of those unique friendships--not based on shared experience, but more on personality. I feel like I could leave for 10 years and meet up with you again, and we'd be best friends for a few hours, and then part ways without lose ends, just great memories.
Gabby--We're not BFFs or anything near it, but you kinda remind me of my little sister, and you have some serious potential if you embrace it.
Hilary--I wish you had started with us sooner, and I wish I had gotten to know you better, and I wish you were not so awesome so I don't have to feel like I missed out on a really cool kid...but I do.
Jason--Wow, you are one of those kids--those asshole-type kids--who can be so genuine and kind at times that it makes you feel like a rotten human being for ever being pissed at you. It's so obvious that you love this craziness. You're incredible--keep at it.
Kim--I've loved having you on crew and sharing in so many crazy experiences. We've have some good times. Keep having them.
Jill--I've gotten to know you so much better this year, and I don't think I'll be able to get to know you as well as I wish I did. You are so sweet and talented and inspirational, and I'm so glad I've shared even the smallest bit of that.
Laura--We've never gotten especially close, but ever since I claimed you as my freshman that first year, we've held a bond. You will forever be Joe to me.
Matt--You can be increasingly strange at times, but you have so much going for you, more than I think you even know.
Meghan--As you said, we have one of those friendships with no defined beginning. It just emerged. You are one of those crazily talented people that I envy in my soul. Everything you do makes me smile.
Michelle--You've made this year that much more enjoyable with your infectiousness--if that makes any sense whatsoever. It's been great.
Nellie--No words can come close to expressing the friend I've found won in you. I admire everything you possess, and you can turn around and add so much joy to my life and confidence to my soul--you support me in everything I am unsure of and make me believe. Thank you.
Rachel--You are one of the freest spirits I know. Ever since I thought you were a freshman, the friendship we've shared has been so rewarding. You're so funny and talented and wonderful. Break a leg--for life.
Will--I'd never be who I am today without you. I've shared so much with you, and you've been so much to me through the few years I've known you. I want for you all the happiness and fulfillment of every dream you ever go for--thanks for everything.
Yonatan--I love everything about you--your excitement and talent and kindness. You are such a strong presence in Wootton theatre. Continue to embrace it with your all.
21 kids--that's a party.
I have so much more to say, but I'm gonna have to postpone saying it until I catch up with today's work...
The first thing that I completely forgot to say in my speech--and the one thing I had written down--was that during that first year of crew, I was like--I fucking love this. I could easily do it FOREVER. Not til I retire, not til I die--like, beyond the grave. So I decided that year that this was what I wanted to do with my life, and I am. I'm going to college--not sure where yet, but at least I have Purchase in the bag (and it's incredible) [EDIT: and Ithaca--funny story later], and I'm gonna do this for as long as I possibly can. BUT--I can only hope and pray and yearn that I will be able to work with a group like ours again. And make any friends that I'll be half as close with or trust half as much--god, not even half, like a quarter of what I have now would give me an amazing circle of friends.
Other schools don't have theater like ours. It's true. You may think that the traditions and bonds and chemistry that we have are a norm among high school or even college theater programs, but if you've ever talked to anyone who's come or gone from our school to another, they can tell you that there's no comparison.
Have I ever told you the story about the cast party I went to for one of Lincoln's shows? (no offense, Linc) First off, the house was gorgeous, so it had some serious potential. The cast and crew were sitting on the couches, chairs, floor of the living room, just chillin--still potential. BUT half the parents were in plain sight in the kitchen, there was one lonely TRUE theatre kid rockin' out to Avenue Q in the corner with the low-volume boom-box, and the DIRECTOR stopped by to chill with the kids and the 'rents. It was closing night--there was no DP, no paper plates, no notable after show tradition of any kind other than this (to steal from the Cappies) languid cast "party." The whole thing left me in shock and slight disgust with the rest of the theater world--and I don't want that feeling with any group that I have any reason to call myself part of.
Each year, I like to do this thing where I go through each of the seniors and talk about how they affected me and how much I admire them and such. This year, however, I am a senior, and we're all seniors, and we all know eachother pretty well already. So, I'd like to talk about the juniors.
Here, presented in alphabetical order, the SRGs and -Bs of '07...
Alex--You are one of the coolest kids I know. You have the most amazing sense of responsibility, and I completely admire you for that. You gave crew back to me, and for that I owe you so much.
Anna--You are a crazy kid. Wootton theatre would not have been as much fun without you there, and I'm definitely gonna miss the antics. Never let anything stand in your way.
Beth--I remember one day at crew last year, Karen Lowe came up to me and said, "Who's that girl standing next to Jim? She's fucking gorgeous!" You're awesome, and you can do so much.
Carolyn--You have taken such charge of props these past couple years. It's been awesome to see you grow--even if I haven't gotten to know you very well. Best of luck.
Christina--I've know for a long time, but never well. You're incredibly talented and deserve the recognition for it.
David--You're one of my favorites. Through Joseph and theatre class and DPs and you catching the acting bug from your walk-on in Fiddler--it's been awesome. You'll always be my Davy.
Eli--We've never gotten close, but you've definitely been a major part of crew for me, even in mere presence. You bring so much to Wootton theatre.
Emily--We have one of those unique friendships--not based on shared experience, but more on personality. I feel like I could leave for 10 years and meet up with you again, and we'd be best friends for a few hours, and then part ways without lose ends, just great memories.
Gabby--We're not BFFs or anything near it, but you kinda remind me of my little sister, and you have some serious potential if you embrace it.
Hilary--I wish you had started with us sooner, and I wish I had gotten to know you better, and I wish you were not so awesome so I don't have to feel like I missed out on a really cool kid...but I do.
Jason--Wow, you are one of those kids--those asshole-type kids--who can be so genuine and kind at times that it makes you feel like a rotten human being for ever being pissed at you. It's so obvious that you love this craziness. You're incredible--keep at it.
Kim--I've loved having you on crew and sharing in so many crazy experiences. We've have some good times. Keep having them.
Jill--I've gotten to know you so much better this year, and I don't think I'll be able to get to know you as well as I wish I did. You are so sweet and talented and inspirational, and I'm so glad I've shared even the smallest bit of that.
Laura--We've never gotten especially close, but ever since I claimed you as my freshman that first year, we've held a bond. You will forever be Joe to me.
Matt--You can be increasingly strange at times, but you have so much going for you, more than I think you even know.
Meghan--As you said, we have one of those friendships with no defined beginning. It just emerged. You are one of those crazily talented people that I envy in my soul. Everything you do makes me smile.
Michelle--You've made this year that much more enjoyable with your infectiousness--if that makes any sense whatsoever. It's been great.
Nellie--No words can come close to expressing the friend I've found won in you. I admire everything you possess, and you can turn around and add so much joy to my life and confidence to my soul--you support me in everything I am unsure of and make me believe. Thank you.
Rachel--You are one of the freest spirits I know. Ever since I thought you were a freshman, the friendship we've shared has been so rewarding. You're so funny and talented and wonderful. Break a leg--for life.
Will--I'd never be who I am today without you. I've shared so much with you, and you've been so much to me through the few years I've known you. I want for you all the happiness and fulfillment of every dream you ever go for--thanks for everything.
Yonatan--I love everything about you--your excitement and talent and kindness. You are such a strong presence in Wootton theatre. Continue to embrace it with your all.
21 kids--that's a party.
I have so much more to say, but I'm gonna have to postpone saying it until I catch up with today's work...