We all know by now that I’m the biggest theatre nerd. I would estimate that I spend an average of 2 hours per day in the auditorium, my highest being around 12 hours (I know, it’s my entire life). I have realized that senior year has been an especially theatre heavy year for me. I want to reminisce right now, now that my final show is in full swing, on the shows I’ve done this year.

A Simpler Time

To start off my senior year, I knew that I wanted to do something big. I decided to direct the Freshman Sophomore show with Anna Snyder. We had big dreams, and nothing was going to stop us.

We started casting the show in May 2019 (end of our junior year), so we had a lot of eighth-graders auditioning for us. This meant we had to be welcoming and excited and very open-minded. One big takeaway I have from directing a show is that you shouldn’t look for perfection, you should be looking for potential. We made a lot of progress with our cast very quickly, as they were all super willing to work. Soon enough, our show was on stage and I sat there like a proud mother watching over them.

Directing a show taught me a lot about myself, but one thing it brought me was many new friendships. The bonds I created with the underclassmen I worked with were so refreshing going into a new year. I also found a lifetime friend in my co-director Anna, who has been by my side since. Directing a full-length play with incoming high schoolers can be daunting, but it taught me to be resilient, joyful, and to live in the moment.

Romeo & Juliet

This was my favorite show all four years of high school. The cast was pretty small, which caused a lot of strong bonds to form quickly. The show started out with about two weeks of nothingness. We learned about First Folio and what it is and how to read it. We sat while Mr. Simon droned on for two hours and we fooled around. 

The inside jokes in this specific show were probably the weirdest I’ve ever seen. In the boy’s dressing room, we hid a scooter in the ceiling, along with a truckload of fruit snacks. We also put a puppet into the broken air vent. On top of all of this, we praised Epson projectors. I don’t know when it started, but it still is ongoing. Anytime we see Epson projectors, we all scream and chant “Epson!” One time, we had a weirdly long Friday rehearsal, and we were SO hungry. Josh Diaz, Diana Soukup, and I decided to individually each order $20 worth of Five Guys. Thus, “Five Guys Fridays” began.

This show was filled with hilarious memories, and I honestly want to write an entire blog about it, but I won’t bore you with inside jokes that make ZERO sense for 1,000 words. Also, this show was probably my favorite hair I ever got to do for a play (thanks for doing it for me Greta), but that’s not the point.

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

I promised myself I would NOT audition for this show. Romeo & Juliet was so time-consuming and difficult that I did not want to worry about anything else, especially so close to the end of first semester. Suddenly, I was being forced to audition by all my friends. I was left with the leading role of OOMPA LOOMPA!! I was thrilled and ready to take on this difficult role.

The show for me consisted of random dances and running around on stage throughout. At one point, me, Jerecho Agudelo, and Lindsey Jennings all ran on stage and whipped as the tourists passed by the “whipping” room.

That cast specifically was probably one of the best of my four years. We all were silly 24/7, and we loved to just hang out and vibe. The cast party was AMAZING and full of surprises, including the weirdest game of “Never Have I Ever” that I’ve ever played.

One Acts

I think that One Acts were probably the weirdest thing I’ve done this year. On the day of auditions, I get a text from Mr. Simon saying “Hey! Just so you know, you’re producing One Acts this year.” I was shocked. I wanted nothing to do with these shows considering I wrote and directed one junior year. I was TIRED of the morning rehearsals and lack of time to memorize. So then I got there and auditioned because I’m me and that’s what I do.

I got cast in a cute little show called “Better Left Unanswered.” I’m not gonna lie to you, I read the script and immediately wanted to yell at the director. It was genuinely THE EXACT SAME as my show from last year…but whatever.

I hated rehearsals and also procrastinated memorizing until the day before. Nonetheless, it was legit so much fun to sit on stage with my friends drinking Root Beer and acting like we were being haunted. It was so random but so cute and fun. Despite that, I would never do One Acts again. ‘Nuff said.

PICTURED: my character’s only emotions in the whole show – annoyed and confused.

Beauty & the Beast

I really don’t have a lot yet to base this portion of the blog on. We just started rehearsing for Beauty & the Beast. Currently, my only role is the “Aristocratic Lady” who sings a little bit in the beginning. My character’s description can only be described as an a**hole, which is gonna be fun to act out on stage. I basically walk around and talk crap about the villagers in the town.

I’m a little nervous for this show, as it is my final performance at North. Also, the musical isn’t 100% related to the rest of theatre, as it’s run by someone different. Even so, I can’t wait to make the most of each of our 6 performances. (Make sure you stop by April 22nd-26th). Maybe you’ll see me in my hoop skirt singing about bacon – one of my very few lines.

Currently, I have no photos of Beauty & The Beast, so I included the only photo I’ve taken at a rehearsal of me eating chips. I also wanted to add a cute little picture of some random kid who played the Aristocratic Lady, just to give you a little hint of what you’re about to see if you come to the show.

UPDATE: I wrote this blog two weeks ago. I am absolutely shocked that my final opportunity to perform on stage with the people I love is now gone. I want to say that this blog has NOT aged well, and I haven’t even posted it. I’m sorry to the people who had so many things to look forward to. I know my airband is devastated, and I think everyone is feeling it right now. I’m so sorry. I included a picture of what seems to be an 8-year-old playing the part that I would’ve played. Enjoy.

The End of an Era

It’s been a crazy four years. From my first show “Breaking News” (legit the worst show ever) to now, I feel a little nostalgic. My life is forever engraved into theatre at North. It shaped me to be who I am today, the obnoxiously loud and confident girl you hate in AP Lit. All I can say is, if you want to try something new, try acting! It’s so fun and silly. The memories you make and confidence you build is next to none, so why not?

I know you may be wondering why I’m titling this about picky eaters. Well I am one! I do not like most foods, but one thing I like that many stay away from is sour candy. It’s AMAZING! I decided, in good ol’ Erin fashion, I am going to rate sour candy.

Airhead Extremes

These are by far my favorites. My inspiration for this came because I just bought these last week. Unlike other sour candies, they have a taste besides the sour. They are actually really sweet without the sour sugar on it, but when they add that it’s an explosion of different tastes in your mouth. I especially love these at show choir competitions, because they encompass all cravings one could have. Right after a performance? A quite DELECTABLE snack. 

One negative about this candy is it’s availability. You never see these in stores, and they should be! I will say, they have added a new Airhead Extreme “bites,” but those just don’t hit the same. They are way harder, unlike the soft, bendable, regular ones. Nevertheless, they do make a decent substitute when in a dire situation.

Rating: 8/10

Sour Skittles

The words “Sour Skittles” genuinely makes my mouth water and my jaw hurt. They are so strong (I know I’m super white don’t judge my sensitive taste buds). These are the epitome of sour candy. I’m a big fan of the green ones, it makes the green apple taste even better than it was originally. What I will say is that I am producing a lot of saliva right now thinking about those green sour skittles…TMI?

Sour Skittles are far superior to their counterpart: original Skittles. Despite this, I can’t get behind them 100%. You have to be in such a specific mood for these, which I almost never am, and they also make your tongue hurt for a week after you eat them. It’s like they grind down the outer layer of your tongue and leave it throbbing in pain.

Rating: 5/10

Sour Patch Kids

Sour Patch Kids lowkey taste weird. There, I said it. `They are too gummy and icky. Despite that, they get stale so fast. Then they’re like rocks…impossible to eat. I do not like sour patch kids is what I’m trying to say. Specifically, I hate the orange and yellow ones. It’s like eating raw lemon…and I just don’t like oranges. Honestly? I don’t want to give Sour Patch Kids the time of day, I’m done with this review.

Rating: 2/10

Sour Punch Straws

These are not as popular, but they do sell them at Naper Nuts & Sweets. I’ve had them a few times, and they are sour as all hell! They do have great flavor though, although a little washed out by the sour sugar. If you are looking for a sour snack that’ll take a good while to eat, it’s these. They’re like those red vines, but covered in sour sugar, so they fill you up pretty quick.

I have to say, similar to Airhead Extremes, it’s rare to ever find these, so you never crave them. Honestly, I don’t know how they are still being sold when I feel like NOBODY buys them. I don’t think they deserve a lower rating for this, but it’s just a note for their marketing team.

Rating: 7/10

Gummy Worms (the sour ones…duh)

Not gonna lie, I never eat these. Whenever I see them in vending machines, I steer away from them. I think it’s because I don’t really like them, but I’m not sure. They have different color combinations, and the only one you’ll catch me eating are the red and blue ones, nothing else. They are also kind of generic…unoriginal. There are so many brands of sour gummy worms, and I feel like they aren’t recognizable enough. 

I have a lot of respect for sour gummy worms, they are a classic that have withstood time. For that, they deserve some recognition.

Rating: 4/10

Sweet Tarts

Sweet Tarts aren’t super sour, but they use the same sour sugar that these other candies do. They are so good, but so hard to eat a lot of. They are legitimately so strong and I can’t handle more than three of them.

Although this may be controversial, I love the chalky texture of Sweet Tarts, just like the fun dip stick…so good. I think that it’s very unusual for candies to be like that, but not crumble in your mouth. Things like Smarties always disintegrate in your mouth, but Sweet Tarts hold out STRONG for you to get that good crunch.

Rating: 6/10

Ending Thoughts

We all have our opinions, on the silliest of things. I know that I personally make a lot of blogs about rating things, but I want you all to know that your opinions are important as well, so leave a comment and let me know what you think!