Developing Valuable Life Skills Through GREASE! and the Performing Arts
This month, our newly expanded WDV Performing Arts program gave our community the gift of GREASE! the musical; our students the gift of personal development, belongingness, and achievement; and our community’s school boards’ members and education foundation leaders the chance to see a dream come to fruition.
Like most high school musical theatre productions, the purpose of the production was not just to entertain, it was to teach students valuable life skills, such as how to be one’s full self, how to be resilient, how to have self-discipline and develop time management skills, how to explore yourself and your natural gifts, how to commit to something bigger than yourself, how to cultivate friendships and belongingness, how to have patience, how to collaborate and inspire, how to adapt, how to face your fears and embrace your insecurities, and how to develop confidence from the inside out.
This year’s musical was the second year our newly expanded program put on a musical theatre production and this year’s production opened to six sold-out shows, more than 1,200 audience members, and 84 students performers and behind-the-scenes crew.
In the months leading up to opening night, students spent countless hours learning their lines, rehearsing, adjusting, designing the sets, getting to know their roles, getting to know their characters and getting to know more about themselves, and each other, in the process. > See related article
“Theatre is often misunderstood, misrepresented and misinterpreted as a “frill” program, a talent contest, an extra-curricular,” said Diane Feldman, the production’s director/musical director and TK-12 theatrical arts teacher and coordinator. “On the contrary, it is a powerful educational process that stimulates thought and emotion, speaks to the senses, expands empathy, inspires transformation, initiates investigation, requires research, and creates community,” she continued.
In the Wiseburn community, the performing arts have long been a key element of the educational experience for students in TK-8. With the expansion of the WDV Performing Arts program into multiple disciplines at the high school level, students now have the opportunity to further develop their skills and express themselves creatively from grades TK through 12.
“This has truly been a dream come true for those of us in the Wiseburn community who have spent decades dedicating ourselves to the kids and the families our schools serve,” said Roger Bañuelos, president of the Wiseburn Unified School District Board of Trustees. “Recognizing the impact of the performing arts on children's development, we've long envisioned a program where students could begin learning a performing art in TK and continue that journey through high school if they chose to. We are thrilled that this dream has become a reality. It was absolutely wonderful to see our students perform. On behalf of myself and my colleagues, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to them all."
Part of the schools’ and district-wide belief in the performing arts is rooted not just in evidence-based data, but also in the fact that many of the leaders of both Da Vinci Schools and Wiseburn Unified School District also participated in the performing arts when they were growing up, and the experience not only affected them in profound ways as children, but they continue to draw upon the skills they learned, and attribute much of their professional growth and development to the performing arts.
“As a preteen, I was shy and a bit introverted with my only outlet being sports, which didn’t really allow me to connect with my artistic softer side,” said Ray Santiago, vice president of the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees. “I always knew that I loved to sing, but that passion was shared when my mom would catch me singing along with my favorite groups on the radio. I found a true love for singing in musicals when I was placed in a chorale class that was offered at my school. Being in a safe space with passionate people really allowed that feeling to grow to the point where I was performing in front of peers and families every year. The ability to connect with audiences and convey the feeling of the work are skills that I still use today when interacting with colleagues at work or teaching mentees. I believe that the combination of performing arts and sports at school are what made me who I am today. It is so great to see our community and our schools supporting the performing arts. I know from experience that performances like GREASE! will have lasting effects on those that performed and their friends and families. It was so great to watch the show and see it come alive. Congrats to all!!”
Ray’s counterpart, Neil Goldman, vice president of the Wiseburn Unified School District Board of Trustees, attributes much of his professional success to the skills he developed in musical theater when he was a youngster. “My involvement with musical theater in high school and college positively impacted my life in innumerable ways,” Neil shared. “My confidence, social skills, creativity, problem-solving skills, friendships, leadership ability, and empathy were all abundantly amplified as a result. Indeed, it is not an overstatement that my career as a professional researcher, facilitator, and speaker were all accelerated through musical theater. Perhaps most importantly, however, I reflect on my musical theater days with joy and gratitude, for the beautiful people who inhabit that world exude kindness, compassion, generosity, and love, and my life has been forever enriched as a result.”
Board members from Wiseburn USD, Da Vinci Schools, Wiseburn Education Foundation, and Da Vinci Schools Fund, along with their spouses and other school leaders, attended the March 8th showing of GREASE! as part of a joint board social.
Da Vinci Schools invested more than $70,000 in the production, and the proceeds from last year’s THE ADDAMS FAMILY production paid for student dinners during rehearsals.
We are so grateful to all of our students, staff, and leaders who have dedicated so much of their time, talent, and gifts to ensuring the expansion of the WDV Performing Arts program is successful.
And we are so grateful to all the cast, crew, Diane Feldman, and all the professionals who came together to bring GREASE! to life.
Recognizing the profound impact the performing arts can have on both students and adults, we wanted to share some of the insights our students have shared about their experiences. They’ve opened up about what it means to be part of the performing arts world and how being involved in the GREASE! production has impacted them. Below are some of their responses:
“Being part of the performing arts has helped me become a more confident version of myself. I used to try very hard to blend in and stay safe, but being able to perform in front of an audience and be myself and show different personalities has helped me to be myself out loud! The multifaceted arts program at the Da Vinci schools has many things that we can explore for fun or for our futures. The Connect TK-8 programs are great as well.”
“Being a part of Grease was an incredibly rewarding experience for me. As an incoming freshman, I had already been with Ms Diane for a year, but I didn't know much about high school theater or what it would be like. When I was called back for a character that I wanted for the first time after being in theater for several years and felt badly about my performance, I learned how to be okay with making mistakes. Being in the ensemble and watching more experienced actors and actresses having so much fun is inspiring and only makes me want to go further with theater. The welcoming and family-like community that we built makes it a safe space for anyone to come and be themselves. So excited for the next big thing!”
“Being part of the performing arts has impacted me in many ways, but it has most significantly brought me new perspectives on how to approach challenges. I've spent lots of time before theater so worried about how to manage difficult situations, but with the skills I've learned from my educators and peers, I can properly handle most things that come my way.”
“Grease has helped me reflect on my own High School experiences through the exaggerated look at teenage life. Even while "playing characters", there's so much my peers and I could see in these fictional situations that reminded us of our lives. In enhancing our performance, we also learned more about ourselves.”
“Being a part of the performing arts has been a huge part of my high school career, specifically how I was able to meet new people from all different backgrounds has honestly helped me grow so much and develop skills in empathy and understanding, making me become more of a reasonable person to work with as now I'm always trying to look on the bright side and always trying to be positive even when spirits are low.”
“Being a part of Grease has given me a lot more perspective on all the things that go into a project, especially such a big one as a musical. I used to think that I only had to worry about whatever I was in charge of and that there was no need for me to be there for things I wasn't needed for. However, being a part of this process has shown me how much goes into production and that I should look at things as a bigger picture rather than focusing on the small details. In addition, even if I'm not needed, being there for the cast, crew, and staff has exposed me to some super fun memories and new bonds along with how much being there and showing up makes a huge difference even if I'm just there for support. Thank you for everything Diane <3”
“Being a part of performing arts has impacted me in a way where I am able to be professional anywhere and performing arts has taught me very valuable skills such as time management, creative thinking and being able to interact with anyone new at any time.”
“Grease has inspired me to push harder as a lighting designer/operator. I have never felt so motivated to design such a show and lighting design allows me to be super creative and allows me to show off designs that I’ve been working on for months on end. I hope to have the same experience for the last two shows here at Da Vinci and hope to pursue my dreams at NYU for Theatrical Lighting design and hopefully to design for some of the biggest Broadway shows and artists of this day. Join theatre! It will definitely change your life and give you a new aspect of theatrical arts.”
“Being a part of performing arts has helped me learn how to express myself more and let loose. It’s helped me understand what a professional theater department is like. It’s taught me so much about real world skills like communication, time management, and working together. It has also encouraged me to improve my vocals and acting, as they are two things I love and appreciate so much. Theater has always been a space for me to be myself and I am forever grateful for the connections I’ve made through theater.”
“Grease has actively helped me further come out of my comfort zone. Being cast as Miss Lynch has been a joy to play, as it caused many people I know to see a different side of me they’ve never seen before. It’s helped me feel more comfortable on stage and act as someone I know I’m not entirely like. It’s given me a new perspective of getting into character and being open to new ideas thrown at me. I would also say it’s helped me become more confident in my personal life, something that I think I needed to learn. I’ll forever be grateful for this wonderful experience.”
“Being a part of the performing arts impacted me greatly through the 2 years I have been a part of this amazing community originally formed as a club and now a school program. I am very grateful and happy to have been part of both The Addams Family production last year as well as the Grease production this year. Learning acting skills as well as being professional and creative story telling towards an audience is very rewarding and exciting for me as well as an educational experience on how performances are done.”
“Being a part of this year's Grease production has impacted me greatly because I got to play a big responsibility, as Diane, our theater director, would call a role. I have been to, I believe, mostly every rehearsal and have always been helpful and thoughtful towards my peers, staff, and educators who have all played a big role in the creation of this year's Grease performance! I am very grateful and deeply impacted by the skills I’ve gained from this year as opposed to last year's THE ADDAMS FAMILY and I hope to see the expansion, development, and growth of this theater program and I believe that I will carry this experience forward with me through the rest of my life!”
“Theatre has impacted me in many ways. It most definitely brought me out of the comfort zone I didn't originally want to leave. Diane has shown me what I am capable of and with my final year working with her coming up, I do feel like I will continue to grow more with my vocal journey. Whenever I have become uncomfortable with a certain note or nervous in general, the people within the theatre program and the instructors/adults have always found ways to lower my nerves and bring my hopes up for myself.”
“Being a part of the Grease production as a whole has slowly persuaded me to think of minoring in theatrical arts at the University. This experience has shown me that I do have a lot more to work on vocally and I am excited to see what new heights I will be able to reach with the right assistance. While there were challenges sometimes, being able to overcome them was refreshing and calming. The creation of Grease was for sure a rough start, but working with my castmates within the time we were given to complete this musical was truly enjoyable. I will be coming back for one final year and I will be enjoying every second of it if it means I can perform one more time and put more smiles on more people's faces.”
“Performing arts has helped me become more confident in myself on stage and off the stage. It has opened my eyes to understand how everyone is different and the same. Being a part of performing arts has helped me speak my mind more clearly in ways people can understand me.”
“Being a part of the Grease production was very fun and thrilling. Seeing how everyone came together and helped each other out was very refreshing to see. Cast and crew being one united family and working in harmony - from the dance numbers to the scene changes, everything just flowed smoothly. This production was the BEST production I have been in so far. I am going to miss it very much.”
“Being a part of the performing arts community at Da Vinci has given me a family. It placed me around people who are supportive, kindhearted, and hard working.”
“Being a part of the Grease production created a new, joyful experience with a musical I used to hate.”
“Being in performing arts has allowed me to be more open and has pushed me to not be afraid to be myself around others.”
“The Grease production has impacted me by teaching different styles of music and how the different genres can be mashed up into musical greatness.”
“I think being a part of the performing arts has impacted me in more ways than I could’ve ever imagined. I have come out of my shell and gained so much more confidence over the past year and a half, and this would not have been possible without theatre. I’ve met and befriended tons of different people that I would’ve never even imagined myself talking to or getting to know in a million years had I not joined theatre. Not only has the performing arts helped me come out of my shell and meet new people, but it has overall just helped me gain a better understanding of myself, my capabilities, and who I am as a person. I am significantly more aware of what I am capable of within the performing arts and even outside of it, too, and that would not have been possible without rehearsing, performing, and meeting all the people I did. Theatre gave me many new opportunities to discover my limits, how I function within numerous types of situations/settings, and just how hard working I truly am when I am able to put my mind to something I’m truly passionate about. I could go on and on and make an endless list of all the different ways the performing arts have impacted me in such a short amount of time, but that would take ages. All I have to say is that joining the theatre program at Da Vinci was one of the best decisions of my life. I grew so much as a person, and I genuinely believe in my heart that my life is forever changed because of it.”
“Although I was only a part of the Grease production for a very short amount of time, I do feel it also had quite a positive impact on me as well. Getting to see all the familiar and new faces within theatre once again was such a blessing. I did not even think I would’ve been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to experience theatre as an alumni after graduating, but I will be forever grateful that I did. Being a part of the process, even for a little, gave me an opportunity to finally put my mind to something again instead of rotting away at home doing nothing. It was also just really fun to watch all of these wonderful people thrive and show just how talented they truly are while performing Grease. Seeing how much the theatre program at Da Vinci has grown since I graduated was very bittersweet. While I was very sad I was unable to fully be a part of the entire process of the making of the production, I was also incredibly proud. Seeing all the numbers and scenes being put together for the first time was amazing, and watching everyone perform Grease never got old. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride every time I was able to see everyone on stage or talk about the production with my friends and family. It was truly incredible seeing just how greatly everyone has improved. I had so many different/unique thoughts and feelings on the Grease production and process, so it’s quite difficult to fully explain with words. Just know that Grease did have a great impact on me, and I WILL hold it in my heart just as much as I do The Addams Family. I think this shows just how largely theatre and the performing arts can impact a person in such a short amount of time.”
“Being a part of performing arts allowed me to experience and explore a part of myself that wouldn’t exist without the free space of being expressive and creative and even loud.”
“Being a part of grease taught me commitment and how to work with all kinds of people. I’ve made a lot of friends that I probably would have never met otherwise. I feel like I have a space to let loose and be that silly part of me that never really gets to come out.”
“I feel like being a part of the performing arts group has impacted my life so much for the better. I feel like it has allowed me to come out of my shell and express myself through something that I love doing which is to dance, sing and act. It's also helped me gain experiences for next year knowing what to expect and other things.”
“Being a part of Grease has impacted me for the better. I've made a handful of amazing friends who I've grown so close to. Grease helped me fill up my empty time and finally gave me a chance to thrive in an environment that isn't my bedroom. It's also helped me realize how much I loved it. It was such a bittersweet thing ending the show, but I'm so happy I got the chance to dip my toes in the water. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I am so grateful.”
“Being a part of musical theatre has taught me how to be part of a team again. I was part of many sports teams as a child. But being part of a theater team has completely changed my view on teamwork. It showed me how people of all ages who come from different backgrounds can create something so beautiful and well portrayed.”
“Being part of the Grease production has impacted me in more ways than I could have imagined. It taught me teamwork, friendship, stagecraft skills, and most importantly of all, how to have fun while doing it. I met many new people at Grease who have helped me and have been so kind to me throughout the process. Since this is my first year doing musical theatre, I came in not knowing what to expect, but Diane made me feel so welcome and radiated an ecstatic vibe. I loved being part of groups with people I never met before, because it let me collaborate and get a feel for what the people in theater are like. Along the way, students and adults have taught me many things about the technological side of theater, which I hope to be great in. I was given the role of assistant lighting designer, and have learned a lot of basics about lighting. Soon, I hope to design the lights for one of the next productions at WDVPA. In all, everything and everyone that was included in Grease has been great, and I hope to get an experience like this again soon!”
“Being a part of this program has shown me that I can be a confident person, and doing theatre doesn’t just have to be something silly. It’s a beautiful work of art that comes together with the work of the people, and without my theatre family I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy my experience being a part of this program like I do. They inspire me to fully commit to the characters I play, and as I act, I feel happy and free to do so.”
“Doing Grease has made me happier than I have ever been. With all its ups and downs I have gained strong, long bonds with my peers, have opened my eyes to greater opportunities I can achieve with my experience in Grease, and just overall all the positive, bubbly energy I was constantly surrounded with was a joy to have. Grease has shown me that I can do it, and especially with the support of Diane and Lindsey, I believe I absolutely can do it now!”
“The time I've spent in this program has had a lasting effect on me even a year later! I became more self confident and comfortable being myself, both on and offstage! It's because of this that I am trying to minor in musical theater at Arizona State.”
“I've had fun making a quick cameo in Grease! Not only did I get to see everyone in the program again, but it allowed me to get back on a stage in a time where there aren't as many opportunities to do so.”
“Theater changed how I see myself completely. Before Grease, I was unsure of myself and my future. I did things not for myself, but for others. I struggled with my friendships, constantly watering myself down so I wouldn’t be a bother, and I often belittled myself for the things that made me stand out. I used to be jealous of my younger self, who didn’t have a care in the world of what people thought. I felt like I was failing her and becoming the person she didn’t want to be. Before Grease, I was by no means a theater person. I enjoyed music and loved singing, but the only musical I had ever watched was Grease. In fifth grade, I used to perform songs in my room by myself and pretend there was a huge crowd in front of me. I imagined how moved they’d be watching me perform, and it was a daydream I played in my head over and over again, even to this day. When the production of Grease was announced, a little part of me kept bothering to try it out. I didn’t have friends who’d join, so I was taking a huge risk auditioning by myself. Even though I kept worrying about all the things that could go wrong and what people would think, I didn’t want to think of the “what ifs” one day if I didn’t try out. Auditions were scary, and I always criticized myself for every mistake I made, but when callbacks were released, I was shocked. I was called back for Marty and Sandy! I never got either of these roles, but when I begin to doubt myself, I think back to the moment I opened that email and finally thought to myself, “Maybe I have something special.” I was never good at anything growing up, and I never had any passions, but when I saw those callbacks, I suddenly saw a whole future in front of me. I loved to sing, I loved to dance, and more than anything, I wanted to perform. I wanted to make the young girl that I used to be proud, no matter what. The person I used to be freshman year and in the years before when I struggled was no longer there. I’m more confident, more bold, more loud, and I don’t feel ashamed to embrace myself because that’s who I am. I have a passion, and that’s the greatest gift performing arts has given me. I have a reason to work hard and to keep going when things get rough. Every bit of criticism I get motivates me. When my sister tells me I should stick to a more reliable career that can actually provide for me, it gets me off my feet and right to work. When people from school make condescending comments, it motivates me to perform to my full capacity. I have something I love to do and can see myself doing in the future. No amount of money could make me change my mind on that. I don’t care if I’m famous or earn a million dollars every year; all I want is to be on stage under the spotlight performing. I may not express it much during rehearsals when I’m exhausted, at school when I’m annotating my script instead of working, or at home when I’m locked in my room scrolling through social media, but I love theater more than anything. I could be having the worst day ever and be in a terrible mood, but as soon as those doors open and I’m running across the stage singing and dancing, all my troubles go away, and I forget why I was upset in the first place. My mom always tells me to leave my issues at the door when I come home. That’s exactly what I do when it comes to theater. When I’m on stage, nothing else matters except who I’m acting as in that very moment. My issues don’t matter because it’s no longer my life I’m living out; it’s somebody else’s, and I put my all into living for them instead of I. There are not enough words to explain how much performing arts has impacted me, but I owe a lot of who I am now to it.”
“Grease is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It has tested all of my strengths and has significantly contributed to the person I am now. When I first auditioned, I was terrified, but my director and choreographer welcomed me with open arms and gave me room to grow into the person I wanted to become. The community was so different from the one I had been surrounded with for so long, and it felt like whiplash when I entered the music room for the first time. Grease has not only changed me for good (Wicked reference ) but has also given me the best friendships I’ve ever had. I’ve met the most kindhearted, funniest, and supportive people through Grease, and every rehearsal when everyone was exhausted was just another opportunity to bond. No one has ever made me feel like I was “doing too much,” and I’ve never felt like a bother to anybody. One of the most memorable moments I had during Grease was in the green room when two of the most amazing people I have ever met told me, “You don’t have to apologize; never apologize for just existing,” and that stays with me to this day. The production of Grease has definitely changed the way I see myself and who I want to become, but it’s also changed the way I view relationships and who I want to surround myself with. Everyone I’ve met has been so welcoming, and not once have I had to act a certain way around someone for them to like me. I don’t have to worry about those kinds of things and the feeling is absolutely freeing since that’s all I’ve experienced for years. Grease will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I don’t think I will ever get over it.”
“Performing arts, especially as I am going through my teenage years, have played a role of acceptance and expression in my life ever since I was 7 years old. The environment and community that these arts can foster, while heated at times and far from perfect, is something I have recently found welcoming and loving, especially with Grease Being a part of this masterpiece was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I feel like this has helped me grow as a person and get better at connecting with people and accepting the parts of me I like, which goes nicely in tandem with the theme of Grease.”
“Performing arts has shown me a world/environment that I've never experienced before. It's one of the only times you will see so many people and moving parts working together so passionately on the same thing. I came into theater just for the fun of it and came out with friends, life lessons, time management skills, and many fond memories. I originally planned to do theater just once. Now, I might do it again. It is an experience like no other.”
“Since I've only been in Grease, my answer is the same as above. But more specifically, Grease taught me to be patient and diligent and learn how to wait for things. Most importantly, it taught me to trust the process. Even when things seem to be falling apart, theater finds a way to keep the show going on.”
“Being a part of the performing arts has allowed me to stay imaginative. Theatre is an ingenious blend of talent that allows me to sing, dance, act, and perform. I am able to expand my skills and learn new lessons every day. The performing arts have been a beautiful creative outlet for me ever since I was a child allowing me to feel and let out all of my emotions in a positive way and has always given me a wonderful, supportive, safe community where I am allowed to just be.”
“Being a part of Grease has given me more skills than I could ever imagine. I was able to grow as a singer and performer and a student. I was able to learn more about the performing arts space and about life itself. I have never been a better multitasker than when I was a part of this production, and it taught me a lot about time management skills and what works best for me. I was also able to create amazing friendships and strengthen the bonds I have with previous cast & crew mates. Overall, being a part of Grease gave me a wonderful expansion to a wonderful community, tremendous skills that I will use for years and an unforgettable experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
“Performing and entertaining have been natural passions of mine for as long as I can remember. I practically walked out of the womb dancing, singing, and telling vivid (and probably overly extensive) stories that I made up in my head. Performing Arts at the Da Vinci Schools has allowed me to truly embrace my passions and learn how to refine them. I've made meaningful friendships, raised my self-esteem, and realized how much I love being on stage and pouring my heart into my every move. It completely cemented my love for the stage and encouraged me to continue to pursue acting throughout my life as a professional career. I'm forever thankful for the program and proud to have been a part of it since it began during my freshman year.”
“Grease was one of the very first musicals that I remember watching. I was immediately drawn into the characters and their irresistible '60s flair. From the hair, the clothes, the jokes, and the songs, the 11-year-old me couldn't be dragged away from re-watching Grease every weekend. When I found out we were doing Grease as our musical, I was ecstatic and honored to be able to be a part of one of my favorite musicals. I found myself learning so much more about its origins, which I used to fuel my character and truly immerse myself into this world I was playing in. Grease was a wonderful experience that led me to grow so much as an actress, something I'm forever grateful to have been able to experience.”
“The WDV performing arts have given me a creative outlet to express myself, build confidence, and connect with others who share the same passion. It has taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of storytelling. It’s one of the best experiences that happened to me. Performing allows me to step into different characters, explore new perspectives, and constantly push myself to grow as both an artist and a person.”
“Being part of Grease was such a fun and rewarding experience! Forever grateful! This show has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone, embrace the high-energy world of Rydell High, and work alongside an amazing cast and crew. It has strengthened my performance skills, deepened my love for musical theater, and reminded me of the joy that comes with bringing a classic story to life. Plus, the friendships and memories made during this production will stay with me long after my final bow!”
“Man, where do I even start? Being a part of theater has been such a ride. Through it I’ve felt my ups and downs, since I believe in honesty I’ll tell you theater is not easy and it’s certainly not a play group. It’s not like one of those clubs you’d join and can choose when or what time you’re going to show up. No, not at all. It’s a commitment and a dedication. Everyone here is relying on each other, whether you're playing the smallest or biggest role in the play. You are important and you need to show up as much as you can and take it seriously because trust me, slacking off or not knowing what you're doing is noticeable. This taught me not only responsibility to make sure I knew exactly what I was doing, but also taught me to take accountability as well for all the times I messed up on a choreo number or didn’t know my vocal range. It’s also helped me realize the truth about dedication to something since while I adore theater with my whole heart even I didn’t enjoy staying till school on days I had an exam the next day or when I was just tremendously tired and I will admit I wanted to go home, most of those days I never did because I wanted to meet this to the fullest and do my job since I chose to do this and I wasn’t going to just give up on it and I’m glad I didn’t because the moment I was able to go up on that stage I found myself in a state where I was constantly smiling just falling in love with everything and truly gaining such a feeling of joy I can’t even describe that has just been in my mind for the past weeks now. Truly, it’s a remarkable experience, and it’s such a joy to be a part of, and I look forward to being a part of it again.”
“Wow. Just wow. Grease was my first ever musical I was ever really a part of and I fell in love with it. Thanks to this production, especially the production of people, I truly now also realize what people mean by we’re a family, not just a production. I’ve made so many close bonds with people I would have never seen myself making while in GREASE as it was something I did with almost no friends whatsoever and even those friends were ones I barely would talk to, so not only did I get to reconnect with them but I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made other friends. I’m proud to say I see this place as a huge comfort place for me. Somewhere I walk and either be both my normal silly upbeat self and also my vulnerable self which I normally keep more on the lower side to people, but I know here I can just be me because I’ll be supported no matter what. And knowing many of the other kids feel that way about theater is truly such a beautiful feeling to a point I’m even tearing up as I think about it. Even if not everyone will be back next year, these memories we’ve made and the bonds we have will never be lost and someday we’ll all be looking back onto these days no matter where the future takes us and smile to them, and the only reason we were able to make that is because of the program Diane has made for us which to that I am grateful for. Choosing to join this show was the best choice I made, and it’s a choice I won’t stop making for anything.”
