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Beyond Belief in a High School Musical
I took the phrase “Seeing is believing” to a whole other level in high school.
I was not what you would call a “method” actor. My primary motivation in auditioning for parts in high school productions was to hang around backstage with girls in various forms of undress as they changed costumes. Plus my on-stage participation rubbed-stamped a “cast” invite to the wrap party.
More often than not, I chose not to audition and volunteered as an usher, handled publicity, or sold ads for the program. I didn’t consider myself a serious actor and opted-out of dramatic productions. My dancing abilities tilted more to “one club foot” than “two left feet,” which limited my roles to walk-ons or back row of the chorus.
Occasionally, I would notice people at the wrap parties who had nothing to do with the show. Some of them were dating students in the production, some were friends who went to other area schools, and some just felt entitled to go to every high school party.
I didn’t fall into any of those three categories, so I had to be a constant presence and earn those invitations. By my senior year, my participation in musicals was almost a running joke.
In Bye Bye Birdie, I played the Mayor, a non-singing role. My primary responsibility was making sure that the girl playing my wife didn’t…
