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My name is Jamie. I’m 29, I live in Ohio, and I have spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy on my left side. I am a daughter, sister, friend… but perhaps most importantly, I’m a singer and actress with a fierce passion for musical theatre, mostly because I was given the opportunity to feel equal onstage instead of constantly feeling “other”-ed and stigmatized. My whole life – my family life, my personal life, my interactions with people in the healthcare world – up to that point had been defined by what the CP prohibited me from doing or made complicated. But I walked into that first rehearsal at 10 years old and instead of being “the girl with the arm,” I was just Jamie.

Suddenly I mattered. Suddenly I wasn’t able to use the CP as an excuse. Suddenly there was an adult in my life who saw right past it. How refreshing that was! My limits – what I thought I could do – were pushed progressively further with each passing year, but they were taken to a whole new level my final year in the theatre program, which was eighth grade. It was the year of “Oliver,” and it brought about another big change. That show had a set that was anchored by two large platforms, each of which were about eight feet high. Our set designer for the show was also our music director for three previous shows, including that first production of “Fiddler,” so I knew him. But I was afraid of heights.

Unfortunately for me, however, spending the whole show on the ground was not an option. I approached the set designer and said something to the effect of, “I can’t go up there, there’s nothing for me to hold onto. I’m going to fall.” There was no bar on the back of the platforms. He looked me directly in the face and said something I will never forget. “Jamie, don’t tell me you can’t. You were told four years ago that you do not get to make excuses. I will not let you fall. Now go. Put your microphone in your hair like we showed you and go. And I better hear you sing!”

The set designer and previous music director was a guy named Richard. He was about 25 when I met him. He came back into my life in June 2016 when we were both cast in another local production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” He played my father.

Since that show, he has taken me under his wing and developed me as an artist in ways that no one ever has. As of this writing, I have assistant directed two of his productions, and I am getting ready to stage manage a production for him in the spring of 2018. He is also my best friend. He pushes me to my limit and then a little further, just because he taught me that I do not get to make excuses. I am not defined by my disability in his eyes. He sees me as a full, complete, talented, beautiful person and just by being in my life, he reminds me that I am loved.

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An actress or actor is a time traveler. It can range from past, present, or the future. There is no limit of time. They can be a king or queen from ancient to medieval times ruling over a vast kingdom. They can be next year’s president and reach world peace. One could even stop an alien race, 200 years from now, from taking over the world. Time is limitless, time is nothing to an actor.

Anything can happen in a performance. It’s a gateway to worlds unlike our own; almost like escapism. Reality can either be a truth or a fantasy, depending on the show. Your dreams can come true on stage, and you can either sing, dance, or act it, having it come to life. Ever dream of animals talking, fairies being real beings, or being able to fly? It can happen on stage. Being on stage can be enchanting.

In life, we all want a way to escape reality. The theatre is one of those ways to escape and be someone or something else. It’s a way to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. No worries or troubles can get to you when you get on that stage.  It’s a very important part of my life and a reason why I choose to pursue it outside of high school and hopefully outside of college as well.

To me, acting and performing is something more than a hobby or something to do at school. Ever since I got on the stage, back in middle school and freshman year of high school. My life changed for the better. It’s given me a chance to improve myself. I’ve gotten used to being in front of an audience which helped my stage fright. When dealing with difficult times, no matter how small or big, acting helps me cope and heal.  It wouldn’t be possible to count how many times the theatre helped me.

The stage can be a safe place too. When life gets unbearable and dreadful, you can get on the stage and feel safe and calm. Theatre can be the best place to feel at home, loved and cared for. Cast and crew become family over the rehearsal times. Personally, I never found a better bunch of people to be with than the people in the performing arts. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank the theatre and the people I meet within it for being in my life.

It’s time to close the curtain, the crowd is in an uproar of applause and cheers. You did it. After months and days of rehearsing, mesmerizing, and practicing, it’s all over. For the season that is. To you, however, you never wanted it to end. The work and dedication you put into your part while experiencing so much. It’s a family away from family, a home away from home.

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1. THE NEWBIE

Just like Chris meeting Kim for the first time, the newbie doesn’t know what he’s in for. 

The newbie may be a kid, or someone who won the tickets by chance, or someone who was brought by a friend with promises that musicals would change their lives. He’s someone who knows almost zilch about the musical’s background and its cast. Newbies are always fun to have around because you get to see their perspectives change. By the end of Act 1, they’ve fallen in love with the set, the orchestra, and the actors. They’ll be singing show tunes with you on the way home. After the show, the newbies will be asking their veteran peers for musical recommendations and lists, hungry for more.

2. THE VETERAN AND SELF-PROCLAIMED EXPERT

If you’ve heard how fast Lin Manuel Miranda can rap, then you’ll know what it sounds like when a musical veteran starts talking.

The veteran knows everything there is to know about the show. From the musical’s composers and lyricists to the West End, Broadway, and International Tour performers, the veteran knows it all. He almost always tries to wear an outfit inspired by the musical, or at least with its color schemes. The veteran tries his best to buy a souvenir. He knows the lyrics by heart. The expert can be kind of annoying to his companions who only know the basics about the musical because he’ll be the one spouting out facts a mile a minute. Once the show starts, however, the expert pipes down and focuses on the production.

3. THE SILENT POLITE AUDIENCE

Ever wonder what Christine felt like when The Phantom swept her away and took her to his underground fortress? That’s what it’s like for them.         

The silent type claps at the appropriate moments. He seems emotionless and unimpressed but suddenly you’ll see him wiping away tears during a particularly emotional number, or beaming during the end of an act. The silent polite audience is caught in his own little world – just him and the musical. It’s as if the other audience members don’t exist and it’s just him with Eponine, Jack Kelly, or Elphaba.

4. THE OVERENTHUSIASTIC FAN

If he could go onstage and do the Newsies jump along with the cast, he would. 

He applauds after every song, mouths the lyrics and lines along with the actors, and grips the arms of his companion to keep from screaming. The overenthusiastic fan is always on the edge of his seat, his eyes shining with pleasure at what he’s seeing. Every high note, every complex dance movement, makes him want to cheer. This is the fan who probably saved his allowance for months, or who joined every online contest there was just to see the show. He may be disruptive at times, he unknowingly bumps into the people next to him because of his enthusiasm, but the other members of the audience forgive him because he’s a fan and they understand.

5. THE “I DON’T REALLY CARE BUT I HAVE THE MONEY SO I’LL GO SEE IT”

Yes, Marius’ family was rich, just like this type.  

They’re not fans, they don’t really know anything about the musical. They just have the money and the means. Or worse, they only want to see the musical because it’s popular and “in” and all the rage these days and they think it makes them seem “cultured”. Sometimes they’re also the ones who are too busy with their phones. Sometimes we forgive them, sometimes we don’t. After all, everyone’s welcome in the theater. And who knows? Maybe they’ll grow to love it for real.

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