Leadership: The Necessity for Leaders in College by Emily

Leadership: The Necessity for Leaders in College by Emily - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

“All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall. PGHS Break a Leg!”, is the chant of the actors and technicians of the Pleasant Grove High School Drama Department right before a show is performed. The drama department has given me priceless knowledge in the arts, communication skills, and sensibility; but more importantly has taught me leadership through the role of Assistant Director for this year’s winter musical “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. The musical covers an eighteen week period of rehearsals starting in the early fall, and ending in the winter with nine full length performances. Actors and technicians are selected from a large strong group of students through auditions and resumes, and once admitted are committed to a rigorous rehearsal schedule in order to put on a stellar performance at the end of those eighteen weeks. Although I’m not the most experienced technician or actor in our huge 5A school, my apparent knowledge of character development, organization, dedication, and the arts caused the director--the high school drama teacher--to choose me for the position of Assistant Director. Based on the things that I learned while in this position, I believe that it is important to have leadership skills in all aspects of life; including college success.

As Assistant Director, I helped direct and block various scenes throughout the musical, took notes and the roll and passed them on to the one hundred members of the cast and crew, ran the minus track, and made myself available to the cast and crew so that they could come to me with problems and questions. I was the bridge between the technicians--who help with auditorium equipment, set pieces, props, and costumes--and the actors; as a result, I attended the most rehearsals and meetings. Through it all, each time I saw a scene come together beautifully, illuminating the auditorium, or a bold costume brought to the stage, or teenagers having a great time together, or our newly made corn rows strategically placed, I couldn't help but feel pride for what the department is and can accomplish. These things not only gave me experience with leading a large group of people, it helped me recognize what theatre is: making something beautiful with people you care about. I was proud to be the Assistant Director for a group of people who could work together to build Oz.

Having this opportunity to be Assistant Director has taught me dedication, organization, communication, and friendship. It has also brought to light my weakness of shying when it is my turn to stand up and take control. Practicing to fight this weakness for those four or five months has helped me become a stronger leader. It is important to have leadership skills to be successful in college because as a leader students improve faster and in ways they didn't know they could; I know from this experience that I did. In addition, this opportunity has reinforced my desire to own a business and be a leader having the ability to work well with employees and customers. Finally, I have learned that a leader--although necessary--is not what makes a big production move; it is the people beneath the leader that makes it happen. A leader is a consequent, not a dictator.