Middle School Is Not Your Destiny: Tales and Travails from Bigelow Students Past
The Female Lead
A ferociously intelligent actor with a clear singing voice, a wide range, and a high level of musicianship, all of Laura’s friends told her she was going to get the lead. This made Laura so anxious she was in a frantic state all fall, grew unhappy and cut off her friends, and nearly blew her audition. But she didn’t, got the part, and killed it.
At North, Laura did Froshcab and had a bunch of solos, but did not get into anything else freshman year. She got a small part in the fall play and the Family Singers as a sophomore, but also started getting really into orchestra. She gave up theatre and singing for more time on viola, and as a senior, won the concerto competition, along with Jacob and Margo. She now attends an ivy league school and is studying liberal arts, but still plays a lot of music.
The Male Lead
Gavin was a very good actor and singer from 6th grade on. Though enrolled in 6th grade band, he would deliberately put his trumpet in the far corner of the chorus room, just so he could walk through chorus at the beginning and end of class. An athlete as well, he had multiple friend groups, which sometimes made the arts kids feel like he was too cool for them. They sometimes excluded him, and he sometimes excluded them, all obviously a result of everyone spending way too much time watching High School Musical. Envied, scorned, embarrassed, admired- Gavin sometime felt like he was out of place in the auditorium, but also could not deny that there was nowhere he’d rather be, not even the soccer field.
At North, Gavin did Froshcab and got into Cabaret Troupe and the musical as a freshman, as well as joining soccer and volleyball. He did Cabaret Troupe and Family Singers for the rest of high school, and varsity volleyball. He took a year off to travel before college, and is now studying liberal arts at a top tier university in the south. He still loves to sing.
The Female Secondary Lead
Sarah really, really wanted this part, and she was thrilled when she got it. It was all downhill from there. Desperate to be perfect, Sarah could not bear to make mistakes. This made rehearsing difficult, and often ended with Sarah storming out in tears. Despite this Sarah loved being in the play, and to this day offers to reprise her role.
At North, Sarah did Froshcab and Concert Choir and had a bunch of solos, but did not get into anything else freshman year. She got into Family Singers and Playwrights as a sophomore and did both all 3 years. Sarah was in several other shows at North, but felt the theatre group was cliquey in a way she did not care for. Unfazed, she started doing theatre at Boston Children’s Theatre and other places. Sarah is currently studying acting at a conservatory college program, and hopes to be a professional actor.
The Male Secondary Lead
Daniel really, really wanted the lead, and was devastated when Gavin got it. He still had a great role, and he could see why Gavin got the part, but- Gavin wasn’t as much of a theatre kid. He had sports! Daniel lived for theatre! It was a challenge, particularly as Daniel really liked Gavin.
At North, Daniel did Froshcab, and was selected to direct the acting part of Froshcab as a sophomore. He was devastated to not get into the improv group, but he got in the next year and was a member until he graduated. He also was in the musical all 4 years, but otherwise stopped singing and really focused on acting. Daniel now goes to a top tier Midwestern university.
The Female Comedic Relief
Margo was the funniest, liveliest actor hands down, with stage presence for days and a lovely, clear alto. She had gotten into the fall pay as a 6th grader and been nothing but successful since, earning good parts in every play. She could have sold any part, but giving her comedy was a clear win. Margo’s confidence was apparent everywhere, but on stage it was pure charisma.
At North, Margo did Froshcab and demonstrated, to this day, my favorite example of how to own a room. She also got into the sketch comedy group, the orchestra, GYBSO, and, as a sophomore, Family Singers. But she tried out for every play and musical as a freshman and sophomore and got: nowhere. To everyone’s surprise, and Margo’s bewilderment, she did not get into anything, for two years. GYBSO really sold her on orchestra, though, and she ended up focusing on her clarinet and sketch comedy. As a senior, she won the concerto competition, along with Laura and Jacob, and astounded me by playing a Mozart concerto with an undeniable sense of humor. Who knew clarinets told jokes? Today, Margo attends a top tier music school for clarinet, and for fun is still part of a sketch comedy troupe.
The Techie
Jacob was on tech because he liked pushing buttons, he liked building things, he liked theatre, but- mostly because his sister and all his friends were on stage. What Jacob really loved was cello, and we spent a lot of time watching cello videos. Jacob came to every rehearsal and took careful and precise notes, but he was mostly thinking about the cello.
Jacob did Froshcab at North, and joined the orchestra. He continued to play cello, and as a senior, won the concerto competition, along with his sister and Margo. He also came back to play with the choruses, which made Ms A REALLY happy. Today, Jacob attends a Midwestern liberal arts college with an outstanding music program, where he can study both cello and science. Honestly, we saw that one coming.
The Male Supporting Role
Nathaniel was the most helpful person ever encountered. All he wanted to do was help. With anything. He was a fantastic choral librarian, a member of every club at school, an excellent student, and- it must be said- a terrible singer. He was in every chorus anyway, and still one of Ms A’s favorite students ever, but certainly the only one she thought might be tone deaf. (She is now 90% sure he just had the world’s most agonizing and slow voice change, preventing him from ever matching pitch.) Nathaniel liked acting and singing, but what he loved was being a part of something. Everything he was a part of was lucky to have him.
At North, Nathaniel did Froshcab, then became a Student Producer, the person in charge of making everything about the shows happen. As you’d expect, he was delighted to be able to help and extremely good at it. As a senior he more or less ran the theatre department, despite being neither into acting nor tech. Today, Nathaniel attends the same ivy league school as Laura.
The Female Supporting Role
Audrey knew what she wanted in 5th grade, when she came to the preview performance of the Bigelow Musical: to be the lead on that stage. When we announced one of her favorite shows for her 8th grade year, it felt like fate. Audrey had a gorgeous, strong voice that was just righty for musical theatre, a strong work ethic, had worked hard in drama and chorus since day 1: she knew she was ready. Unfortunately, Audrey was not a strong actor. Uncomfortable in her own skin, it was hard to pretend to be in someone else’s. Though her singing earned her a role, she was devastated. Her friendship with Laura and love of the show, however, helped her overcome her disappointment and do a great job.
At North, Audrey did Froshcab, and got into Cabaret Troup. She also became an excellent actor. She was in Family Singers and a bunch of musicals and, as a senior, got the lead in the big musical. She also, with Deanna, wound up directing the very musical she had been in as an 8th grader. She now attends a top small liberal arts college, where she is in an a capella group and musicals.
The Female Small Role
Deanna did drama at Watertown Children’s Theatre, so she wasn’t involved in Bigelow drama until the spring of 7th grade. She fit in immediately, and got the lead in the fall play, much to the dismay of some of the actors who’d been involved since the start of 6th grade. Deanna was too nice to be angry at, though, and also the kind of actor who raised up everyone around her. A strong singer, she probably deserved a bigger part in the musical than she got, but there were only so many big parts available. She was definitely disappointed, but also smart enough to realize other people had much smaller parts. She had a great attitude, was kind and generous to everyone in rehearsal, and stole all her scenes.
At North, Deanna did Froshcab, and was selected to direct the singing part of Froshcab as a sophomore. She was the only freshman to get into the improv group, and felt very guilty at getting what Daniel had so wanted, but loved it and eventually became the director. She was in more plays and musicals than you could count and, as a senior with Audrey, directed the very musical she had been in as an 8th grader. She now attends the honors program at a top state university and is a member of the college improve troupe.
The Male Small Role
Blake was friends with Deanna from Watertown and elementary school, and also started doing drama at Bigelow in 7th grade. He was the lead opposite her in the fall play in 8th grade, but it was Nathaniel who convinced Blake to join chorus and the Bigelow Beats. Blake planned to do Beats just in the fall- he got special permission to switch electives in January- but by the time January had come he’d fallen in love with singing. He wasn’t good at it yet- hence his small role- but after 4 months he knew he loved it.
At North, Blake did Froshcab and nothing else his freshman year. He got into both musicals as a sophomore, decided the big musical was too big, and did plays and the little musical for the next two years. (He was the only leading member of this cast who was also in the North production Deanna and Audrey directed.) He was also in an a cappella group and Concert Choir. Blake now goes to a top liberal arts college, where he sings in the choir and an a cappella group.
The Villain
Annabelle came to Bigelow specifically because she had heard it had a great performing arts program. She got involved right away, singing and acting at every opportunity, but, whether due to personality or having gone to a different elementary school than everyone else, she made an entirely different friend group. Like Gavin, she sometimes felt on the outskirts of things, despite having some major roles. Towards the end of 8th grade, Annabelle decided her middle school crew wasn’t very nice, her middle school theatre friends were, and switched gears.
At North she decided to go all in on theatre. She did Froshcab and, with Deanna and Daniel, was selected to direct as a sophomore. She still felt a bit on the outskirts, though, and was shocked to be given the lead in the fall of her junior year. She directed a play in the spring of her senior year with the 4th member of her froshcab team- Deanna starred in it. Today, Annabelle attends a top East Coast University and studies astronomy. Nobody saw that one coming!
The Female Featured Role
Lola was a kid who did the musical every year, because she loved to sing. Friends with Annabelle and friendly with everyone, she was not heavily invested in drama and was surprised and delighted to receive a named part of any size, even a very small one. Lola’s scene with Ben was hilarious and she had a great time in the play.
At North, Lola did Froshcab and was, by all accounts, the breakout star. Her song was pretty much everyone’s favorite part of the show. Lola did Cabaret Troupe starting as a sophomore and Jubilee Singers as a junior and senior, where she had a lot of solos. Lola currently attends a local community college, and last year got to sing the national anthem at a Sox game at Fenway Park.
The Male Featured Role
Ben wasn’t going to audition for the musical, because his Bar Mitzvah was the day after auditions. We convinced him to audition with his D’var Torah, which remains to date both one of the funniet auditions AND D’var Torah’s I’ve ever seen. Ben had two very funny scenes, one with Margo and one with Lola, and had a great time in the play. Ben had previously done tech crew and been in one other play, and liked the whole vibe of drama.
At North, Ben did Froshcab and then a bunch of different activities. He stayed friends with his middle school drama crew, and now attends the same Midwestern school as Jacob, where he has a punk rock radio show.
The Female Ensemble Member
Leah auditioned for many of the plays and really liked drama, but never got very big parts. She was unsurprised to get an ensemble role but still a little disappointed. She got over that pretty quickly, though, and really enjoyed the physicality of her role. She also enjoyed being a section leader and teaching the 6th graders what to do!
At North, Leah did Froshcab and then got into running, joining the track and cross country teams. She currently attends an East Coast state university, and is loving college.
Things to think about:
There was a core group of Underwood students in this class who were very tight from kindergarten through high school. How did that affect how they felt and what they did? How did it affect others?
How did people’s interests change from middle to high school to college?
Did success affect people’s activities? Why or why not?
A ferociously intelligent actor with a clear singing voice, a wide range, and a high level of musicianship, all of Laura’s friends told her she was going to get the lead. This made Laura so anxious she was in a frantic state all fall, grew unhappy and cut off her friends, and nearly blew her audition. But she didn’t, got the part, and killed it.
At North, Laura did Froshcab and had a bunch of solos, but did not get into anything else freshman year. She got a small part in the fall play and the Family Singers as a sophomore, but also started getting really into orchestra. She gave up theatre and singing for more time on viola, and as a senior, won the concerto competition, along with Jacob and Margo. She now attends an ivy league school and is studying liberal arts, but still plays a lot of music.
The Male Lead
Gavin was a very good actor and singer from 6th grade on. Though enrolled in 6th grade band, he would deliberately put his trumpet in the far corner of the chorus room, just so he could walk through chorus at the beginning and end of class. An athlete as well, he had multiple friend groups, which sometimes made the arts kids feel like he was too cool for them. They sometimes excluded him, and he sometimes excluded them, all obviously a result of everyone spending way too much time watching High School Musical. Envied, scorned, embarrassed, admired- Gavin sometime felt like he was out of place in the auditorium, but also could not deny that there was nowhere he’d rather be, not even the soccer field.
At North, Gavin did Froshcab and got into Cabaret Troupe and the musical as a freshman, as well as joining soccer and volleyball. He did Cabaret Troupe and Family Singers for the rest of high school, and varsity volleyball. He took a year off to travel before college, and is now studying liberal arts at a top tier university in the south. He still loves to sing.
The Female Secondary Lead
Sarah really, really wanted this part, and she was thrilled when she got it. It was all downhill from there. Desperate to be perfect, Sarah could not bear to make mistakes. This made rehearsing difficult, and often ended with Sarah storming out in tears. Despite this Sarah loved being in the play, and to this day offers to reprise her role.
At North, Sarah did Froshcab and Concert Choir and had a bunch of solos, but did not get into anything else freshman year. She got into Family Singers and Playwrights as a sophomore and did both all 3 years. Sarah was in several other shows at North, but felt the theatre group was cliquey in a way she did not care for. Unfazed, she started doing theatre at Boston Children’s Theatre and other places. Sarah is currently studying acting at a conservatory college program, and hopes to be a professional actor.
The Male Secondary Lead
Daniel really, really wanted the lead, and was devastated when Gavin got it. He still had a great role, and he could see why Gavin got the part, but- Gavin wasn’t as much of a theatre kid. He had sports! Daniel lived for theatre! It was a challenge, particularly as Daniel really liked Gavin.
At North, Daniel did Froshcab, and was selected to direct the acting part of Froshcab as a sophomore. He was devastated to not get into the improv group, but he got in the next year and was a member until he graduated. He also was in the musical all 4 years, but otherwise stopped singing and really focused on acting. Daniel now goes to a top tier Midwestern university.
The Female Comedic Relief
Margo was the funniest, liveliest actor hands down, with stage presence for days and a lovely, clear alto. She had gotten into the fall pay as a 6th grader and been nothing but successful since, earning good parts in every play. She could have sold any part, but giving her comedy was a clear win. Margo’s confidence was apparent everywhere, but on stage it was pure charisma.
At North, Margo did Froshcab and demonstrated, to this day, my favorite example of how to own a room. She also got into the sketch comedy group, the orchestra, GYBSO, and, as a sophomore, Family Singers. But she tried out for every play and musical as a freshman and sophomore and got: nowhere. To everyone’s surprise, and Margo’s bewilderment, she did not get into anything, for two years. GYBSO really sold her on orchestra, though, and she ended up focusing on her clarinet and sketch comedy. As a senior, she won the concerto competition, along with Laura and Jacob, and astounded me by playing a Mozart concerto with an undeniable sense of humor. Who knew clarinets told jokes? Today, Margo attends a top tier music school for clarinet, and for fun is still part of a sketch comedy troupe.
The Techie
Jacob was on tech because he liked pushing buttons, he liked building things, he liked theatre, but- mostly because his sister and all his friends were on stage. What Jacob really loved was cello, and we spent a lot of time watching cello videos. Jacob came to every rehearsal and took careful and precise notes, but he was mostly thinking about the cello.
Jacob did Froshcab at North, and joined the orchestra. He continued to play cello, and as a senior, won the concerto competition, along with his sister and Margo. He also came back to play with the choruses, which made Ms A REALLY happy. Today, Jacob attends a Midwestern liberal arts college with an outstanding music program, where he can study both cello and science. Honestly, we saw that one coming.
The Male Supporting Role
Nathaniel was the most helpful person ever encountered. All he wanted to do was help. With anything. He was a fantastic choral librarian, a member of every club at school, an excellent student, and- it must be said- a terrible singer. He was in every chorus anyway, and still one of Ms A’s favorite students ever, but certainly the only one she thought might be tone deaf. (She is now 90% sure he just had the world’s most agonizing and slow voice change, preventing him from ever matching pitch.) Nathaniel liked acting and singing, but what he loved was being a part of something. Everything he was a part of was lucky to have him.
At North, Nathaniel did Froshcab, then became a Student Producer, the person in charge of making everything about the shows happen. As you’d expect, he was delighted to be able to help and extremely good at it. As a senior he more or less ran the theatre department, despite being neither into acting nor tech. Today, Nathaniel attends the same ivy league school as Laura.
The Female Supporting Role
Audrey knew what she wanted in 5th grade, when she came to the preview performance of the Bigelow Musical: to be the lead on that stage. When we announced one of her favorite shows for her 8th grade year, it felt like fate. Audrey had a gorgeous, strong voice that was just righty for musical theatre, a strong work ethic, had worked hard in drama and chorus since day 1: she knew she was ready. Unfortunately, Audrey was not a strong actor. Uncomfortable in her own skin, it was hard to pretend to be in someone else’s. Though her singing earned her a role, she was devastated. Her friendship with Laura and love of the show, however, helped her overcome her disappointment and do a great job.
At North, Audrey did Froshcab, and got into Cabaret Troup. She also became an excellent actor. She was in Family Singers and a bunch of musicals and, as a senior, got the lead in the big musical. She also, with Deanna, wound up directing the very musical she had been in as an 8th grader. She now attends a top small liberal arts college, where she is in an a capella group and musicals.
The Female Small Role
Deanna did drama at Watertown Children’s Theatre, so she wasn’t involved in Bigelow drama until the spring of 7th grade. She fit in immediately, and got the lead in the fall play, much to the dismay of some of the actors who’d been involved since the start of 6th grade. Deanna was too nice to be angry at, though, and also the kind of actor who raised up everyone around her. A strong singer, she probably deserved a bigger part in the musical than she got, but there were only so many big parts available. She was definitely disappointed, but also smart enough to realize other people had much smaller parts. She had a great attitude, was kind and generous to everyone in rehearsal, and stole all her scenes.
At North, Deanna did Froshcab, and was selected to direct the singing part of Froshcab as a sophomore. She was the only freshman to get into the improv group, and felt very guilty at getting what Daniel had so wanted, but loved it and eventually became the director. She was in more plays and musicals than you could count and, as a senior with Audrey, directed the very musical she had been in as an 8th grader. She now attends the honors program at a top state university and is a member of the college improve troupe.
The Male Small Role
Blake was friends with Deanna from Watertown and elementary school, and also started doing drama at Bigelow in 7th grade. He was the lead opposite her in the fall play in 8th grade, but it was Nathaniel who convinced Blake to join chorus and the Bigelow Beats. Blake planned to do Beats just in the fall- he got special permission to switch electives in January- but by the time January had come he’d fallen in love with singing. He wasn’t good at it yet- hence his small role- but after 4 months he knew he loved it.
At North, Blake did Froshcab and nothing else his freshman year. He got into both musicals as a sophomore, decided the big musical was too big, and did plays and the little musical for the next two years. (He was the only leading member of this cast who was also in the North production Deanna and Audrey directed.) He was also in an a cappella group and Concert Choir. Blake now goes to a top liberal arts college, where he sings in the choir and an a cappella group.
The Villain
Annabelle came to Bigelow specifically because she had heard it had a great performing arts program. She got involved right away, singing and acting at every opportunity, but, whether due to personality or having gone to a different elementary school than everyone else, she made an entirely different friend group. Like Gavin, she sometimes felt on the outskirts of things, despite having some major roles. Towards the end of 8th grade, Annabelle decided her middle school crew wasn’t very nice, her middle school theatre friends were, and switched gears.
At North she decided to go all in on theatre. She did Froshcab and, with Deanna and Daniel, was selected to direct as a sophomore. She still felt a bit on the outskirts, though, and was shocked to be given the lead in the fall of her junior year. She directed a play in the spring of her senior year with the 4th member of her froshcab team- Deanna starred in it. Today, Annabelle attends a top East Coast University and studies astronomy. Nobody saw that one coming!
The Female Featured Role
Lola was a kid who did the musical every year, because she loved to sing. Friends with Annabelle and friendly with everyone, she was not heavily invested in drama and was surprised and delighted to receive a named part of any size, even a very small one. Lola’s scene with Ben was hilarious and she had a great time in the play.
At North, Lola did Froshcab and was, by all accounts, the breakout star. Her song was pretty much everyone’s favorite part of the show. Lola did Cabaret Troupe starting as a sophomore and Jubilee Singers as a junior and senior, where she had a lot of solos. Lola currently attends a local community college, and last year got to sing the national anthem at a Sox game at Fenway Park.
The Male Featured Role
Ben wasn’t going to audition for the musical, because his Bar Mitzvah was the day after auditions. We convinced him to audition with his D’var Torah, which remains to date both one of the funniet auditions AND D’var Torah’s I’ve ever seen. Ben had two very funny scenes, one with Margo and one with Lola, and had a great time in the play. Ben had previously done tech crew and been in one other play, and liked the whole vibe of drama.
At North, Ben did Froshcab and then a bunch of different activities. He stayed friends with his middle school drama crew, and now attends the same Midwestern school as Jacob, where he has a punk rock radio show.
The Female Ensemble Member
Leah auditioned for many of the plays and really liked drama, but never got very big parts. She was unsurprised to get an ensemble role but still a little disappointed. She got over that pretty quickly, though, and really enjoyed the physicality of her role. She also enjoyed being a section leader and teaching the 6th graders what to do!
At North, Leah did Froshcab and then got into running, joining the track and cross country teams. She currently attends an East Coast state university, and is loving college.
Things to think about:
There was a core group of Underwood students in this class who were very tight from kindergarten through high school. How did that affect how they felt and what they did? How did it affect others?
How did people’s interests change from middle to high school to college?
Did success affect people’s activities? Why or why not?
