My+Third+Grade+Play

In a little memory box somewhere located in my brain, I remember a time when I first started to break from my quiet and shy shell. I remember participating in my third grade play. I was never more nervous to do anything in front of a crowd than then.

It all happened at my old school Woodford Paideia Elemantary School. Every year the third graders put on a show for all of the school. In 2004, It was my class' turn.

I was in class waiting on my teacher Mrs. Porter to explain to everyone about the play.

"Okay everyone. This is your year to put on a play for the school. Your play will be Dr. Doolittle." She announced. "And no, some of you. Not the movie with Eddie murphy, but the original Dr. Doolittle."

No one in the class knew what she was talking about. On the day of auditions, the teachers showed us the movie. It looked as if it took place in the early 1900s.

At first I didn't want to participate on stage. I summed up the courage to at least audition, but I didn't expect to get a part. I took the script and stood infront of the teachers. The nervousness I had took over me, making me stiff and quiet. When I was done, I quickly sat down do I could hide from everyone just incase I had embarrassed myself.

The day the teachers passed back the scripts, I did not want to get one. The music teacher, Ms. Snider, came up to me and set down a packet. I couldn't believe I had scored a part. I flipped through the packet like a a failing student going through the mail for her report card. The part I was assighned was of a lady who was nothing but nervous all the time. It was small luckily so I wouldn't have to be on stage for long.

After school I went home and showed the script to my dad.

"You think you can do it?" he asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders and thought for a second. "Yeah. I think I can." I spent about two weeks practicing my lines with my dad. I had it down packed, I just need to act. Not only was I practicing with my dad, but I was also practicing at school. The teachers had the stage set up for all of the third graders to practice on. When my part came up, I would say my lines, but be real quiet. Ms. Linser, the music teacher would tell me to speak louder. I would try but I'd be really nervous and become quiet again. Preparing for the play was not easy. While I worked on my lines and speach, my mom worked on my costume. She decided to make it instead of going out to buy it. At first I thought it was stupid. Everybody would make fun of me if they saw me wearing something homemade. After a while, I got use to the idea.

The day of the play, I was nervous. We had finally gotten to the day where we were to perform in front of the whole school. I put my costume on and went to the auditorium. The place was full. I went along watching the play up until it was my part. I got on stage and said my lines. I accedently started to say my friend's lines and had to stop. I quickly remembered my own and finished my time on stage. Afterwards I felt embarrased. Everybody told me good job though, which put my spirits back up.

After school, we had to do the play again, this time for our parents. I went up this time and said my part perfectly. I was proud of myself. My mom, dad, sister, brother, and two of my cousins had came to see me. They were so proud of me. I was proud of my self. The following school day, the teachers showed us our performance. They had taped our play for us just to see. I saw how nervous I was. I was still proud of how I was able to do such a good job I was able to do otherwise. The play was a good experience for me. I had began to break free of my shell. Nothing made me happier. ​