Atop a darkened stage stands a single figure, bathed in a luminescent spotlight, with all eyes are on them—observing, scanning, judging. They take a deep, shaky breath, and begin stumbling over the lines they’ve been practicing for weeks.
This is the scenario that plays out over and over again in so many heads when considering trying out for the school musical—and it’s also what holds some back from auditioning in the first place. But despite the initial panic, theater can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience once you take that first difficult step.
One of the greatest barriers to overcome in theater is stage fright; a common affliction defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “nervousness before or during an appearance before an audience.” While the thoughts they manifest may be irrational, these fears themselves are not unfounded—high school students tend to be highly conscious of their peers’ thoughts and opinions in everyday situations. When judgment from others is something you take care to avoid as much as possible, it can be a terrifying hurdle to willingly enter a space in order to be judged on your ability to perform.
However, Masque auditions are nowhere near a hostile environment.
“Everyone at auditions is truly cheering for you,” assures Mrs. Lotyczewski, club advisor for Masque and overseer of the casting process. “We are cheering for you to be successful.”
Indeed, the odds are not stacked against you as soon as you walk in—the faculty and students involved in theater have cultivated an incredible environment to grow in.
“From the first show to the last show I have done it has been nothing but a welcoming and fun experience,” recalls Lily Procopio, a senior who has spent three shows working on backstage crew for Masque. “The amount of friends and support that comes from the program is like no other, and you find yourself out of your shell way more often than you normally would be.”
Those previously involved in Masque seem to be in agreement that the atmosphere is incredibly positive and supportive, allowing cast and crew members with varying levels of experience to boost each other up and soar to new heights.
For those afraid to jump straight into the deep end of auditions, there are other gateways into New Hartford’s theater department—one of which is the Theater class itself, which is held every other day during the first semester. Theater class offers a similarly open and collaborative environment, allowing students to build up their confidence and general skills without worrying about perfecting an entire stage show in the span of a few months. The Theater curriculum also changes each year, meaning you can retake it each year to continue improving in different aspects of the performing arts.
If you’re looking to observe Masque’s process firsthand without auditioning, backstage crew positions are open to high school students for both the fall and spring musicals. Participating in the crew offers a clearer picture of Masque’s inner workings, while still developing skills in different sectors of musical theater production and partaking in the social environment.
While production of the fall musical at Perry Junior High has barely begun, Mrs. Lotyczewski has offered a rough timeline for this year’s high school production.
“The show will be announced after the Veterans concert in November,” she reveals, and auditions will proceed in December. The show will run from March 13-16, 2024. “As far as hints go… it is a show that has not been done at New Hartford in the past. I’m so excited!”
