Life Imitates Art by Jordan

Life Imitates Art by Jordan - August 2013 Scholarship Essay

Most students are bombarded with "wake up to the 'real world'" comments from their teachers daily.  However, the most interesting and valuable lessons I have learned while pretending.  “The show must go on” mentality that drives me to overcome obstacles in "real life" I learned through the performing arts. These experiences have prepared me for the constant inconsistency of life, teaching me how to adapt when the unexpected happens. My intense involvement in music and theatre has equipped me with social skills needed in the work place. The abilities to speak articulately, make eye contact, and read non-verbal cues will serve me as well in the future as they do now. As simple as they may seem, these “people skills” elude much of my technology-obsessed generation. I owe all of these realizations to three teachers who provided me with interesting and motivational lessons:  my high school theatre teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Welch, my community theatre mentor, Ms. Valerie Burrets, and my private voice teacher, Mrs. Gwyn Ramos. 
Mrs. Welch, my high school theatre teacher, was the first person to give me a chance as a lead role in a play. She saw potential in me that I didn’t think anyone else could see. Through her guidance, I gained the confidence needed to portray the eclectic, elderly “Mrs. Ethel P. Savage” in “The Curious Savage.”  As I listened to her instruction at each rehearsal I gained insight into the human psyche. Theatre isn’t professional lying. If you do it right, it’s so vulnerable that sometimes you make the audience uncomfortable. Through her lessons of character motivation, I was able to learn empathy for my character, and that deeper understanding of mankind has helped me to become more empathetic in general.  Now, when I am faced with a difficult decision, I think, “If I do this, how will I affect others?" or "If I was in this person’s shoes, how would I feel?” Asking these questions internally is vital to healthy relationships and human interaction. Through Mrs. Welch, I was able to learn the lesson of empathy, a lesson for which I am eternally grateful.
Ms. Burrets, my community theatre mentor, graciously provided another stepping-stone to a well-rounded perspective. She had faith in me and cast me as Elle Woods in a summer production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” This was by far the most physically and emotionally taxing show of which I have ever been a part. I was in every single scene; the entire production rested on my shoulders. Without Ms. Burrets’s constant support, I would have crumbled under the pressure. She taught me the meaning of perseverance and responsibility. She instilled in me the ability to remain committed to your choices. I thank her for the lesson that despite the difficulty of a situation, endurance leads to excellence, ultimately leading me to the path of respect in the adult world where there are few safety nets.
Gwyn Ramos, my private voice teacher, took me under her wing beginning my freshman year, always interested in developing my vocal skills. She has helped me reach TMEA All State Choir auditions two years in a row. She has encouraged me to take every opportunity to perform, helping me to grow as a person. She has taught me the important ability to accept failure as a springboard to greater success. Without her, I would have thought the sky was falling any time a judge didn’t rank me first. She emphasized the importance of giving your all and letting the chips fall where they may. Acceptance of an outcome does not doom one a string of losses.  On the contrary, often one closed door makes room for another to open. I thank her for preparing me for dealing with reality, offering the lesson that you don’t always get what you want, but you can choose to wallow or to get up and keep going.The devoted time I have put into studying the quirks of humanity through theatre and vocal performances has prepared me for a future no doubt enhanced by many important communication skills, but these particular mentors’ lessons and advice have molded me into a college ready student. I believe that the most interesting lessons double as the lessons most applicable to life. Through learning the meaning of empathy, perseverance, responsibility, and acceptance through my classes with each teacher, I am prepared to take on the difficulties of "the real world" because I know that life imitates art.