It was around the time of the high school science fair: after lunch, all the last-minute experiments were being put together and all the nerds were setting up their superfluously intricate experiments composed of various hazardous chemicals and death-laser components. I was in the Black Box Theatre, having no idea what was going on (YEAH APES STUDENTS!!) until our teacher Mr. Fraser asked “How many of you are leaving for science fair?” aaand over half our students packed their bags. That was when it hit me. Half. Half our class left. Four students. Isn’t that sad? I think it’s sad. Do any of you remember the program “Space” from two years ago? They had around 30 students and put on this big show? We actually already had a similar program this year. Never heard of it, right? That’s be-
WRITTEN BY: Justin Chan ILLUSTRATION BY: Jenny Kim
cause this time, we had nine high schoolers and two middle schoolers. Newsflash: Our school’s Theatre department is dying. I just HAD to find
performing is about being comfortable with yourself, because when
out why, so I did some Sherlock-ing around our school. Quite a few of
you know who you are, you can become someone else, a character.
you told me that you found Theatre boring and that it was too much
The point of a production is to entertain other people, and let them
work. Now I could give y’all an epic speech about how an experience
feel the happiness you feel when you’re on that stage.
depends on your perspective or how you should-- NO. NO I AM NOT
In all the years I’ve had with Mr. Fraser, he’s always said “THERE IS NO
GONNA START.
SHAME IN THIS ROOM!” and there really isn’t; inside the walls of that
Anyway, Theatre is a hard class. It involves a lot of work… getting your
terrifyingly dark room is a safe space where you don’t have to hide
costumes, exploring your characters, preparing your stage, and put-
anything...kind of like in Glee. The kids in Glee learned, in their club
ting together an entire production, not to mention actually studying
room, who they really were, and that it was okay to be themselves.
if you take it in IB. But beneath all the clown suits and fake guns, is the
They discovered their talents and found the courage to change their
real point of Theatre: to have fun. That’s what Theatre is really about;
lives for the better. Similarly, the Black Box Theatre is a place where students can be who they want to be without being judged. Its more than just a scary room…it’s a place where you can really feel safe. Please keep in mind that Justin Chan wrote this article. Don’t know me? I’m not surprised; I wear dark clothes and barely talk, but in Theatre class, I can just be me, and in 2014, that’s the best gift anyone could possibly receive. I never imagined that I’d have any talent whatsoever, and I was so surprised when I discovered within myself, a talent for Theatre. In that room, you can be who you are, as well as whomever
ROAR
you want to be. If you ever feel like you should take Theatre, expect
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the unexpected, lifeless readers, because the Black Box Theatre really is a place where miracles can happen.