The Perks of Athletics Without the Sport

I was never one to be enthusiastic about playing sports. I was never athletic, and I never found much interest in chasing a ball around or running bases. I didn’t mind spending time alone doing the other things I loved, like writing and drawing. I appreciated the artistic angle of life. The only thing I regretted was never being able to call myself part of a team. I never had the experience of working with others to achieve greatness on and off the field. When I made it to high school, I was delighted to discover that my artistic world crossed paths with the dedication and camaraderie that had always belonged to athletics. Without much hesitation, I joined the theater program’s Stage Crew.

[My high school's] drama institution had always been cherubic in my eyes. The performances were of Broadway quality, and the actors and actresses were phenomenal. The set design that brought the entire show together was absolutely beautiful, and I wanted more than anything to be a part of creating the masterpiece. After attending the meeting two months ahead of opening night, I was provided a schedule. Three days a week and all day Sunday, I showed up backstage to begin construction.

None of my friends were interested in devoting their time to a cause that consisted of only fifteen to twenty students, so I walked in alone. It was hard for me, especially since I was so shy and reserved. I recognized the small group to resemble a team, and I had to convince myself that I would eventually fit in. It still surprised me how quickly I made friendships that touched each grade and were still so unique. I found my teammates, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the game.

The lengthy hours I dedicated myself to during the week challenged my schoolwork, as well as my sanity. I fell in love with the sets, but I couldn’t forget about my grades and my other commitments. It didn’t get any easier when the show was just around the corner, and dress rehearsals took up most of my daylight. I struggled at first, but managed to come out balanced and focused. I gained perspective on juggling the important elements in my life without slacking off, and it remains to be one of my most valued abilities.

The dress rehearsals did not provide the Crew with a day off. The larger half of the commitment lied in the actual performance. Moving sets, directing lights, and guarding props were the most challenging portions of the entire process, all taking place in complete darkness. This is where I experienced the true importance of teamwork. If we failed, we failed as a team, no matter who it was that pushed that set into the wall or unplugged the fog machine. Since I had shown I was capable of responsibility, the Stage Managers stuck a headset on my head and dubbed me Wing Manager in my junior year. In the athletic world, I was the Assistant Captain. My buried leadership skills saw the light for the first time as I aided the Stage Managers in fulfilling the stressful but rewarding backstage duties.

After the curtain dropped at the finale of my first show, I came to respect the behind-the-scenes experience for the anxiety and hard work it put me through. I discovered a brave, committed, and reliable person hiding in the wings, and I never would have found her without this opportunity. The invisible force known as Stage Crew provided me with the team-building elements I wanted, all while uncovering a better person beneath the stinky shin pads.