Getting ready for the next act

"Break a leg!" Those are the words I will be yelling for the last time April 10 as I eagerly await closing night of "The Three Musketeers" production. It will be my last preperformance handshake, and, as my fellow Silver Dagger Players and I circle the cast room, it will be my turn to make a senior speech. My speech will probably go something like this:Those butterflies you have right whenever the curtain comes up, when you're wondering if you're going to remember your first line or if you'll be able to improvise if forced, are nothing compared to the fear I've been feeling about the future this past year.

As the curtain takes forever to open on the first scene to life after high school, I've felt all year as if I'm standing on the stage, poised for action and blanking as to what my first line is going to be. But then I remember the things I've learned along the way to get me to this point.

From auditions and crew I've learned to make the most of every opportunity and not to let fear hold me back from doing something that I am interested in doing. I've learned that overcoming the doubts is the way I discover a passion or abhorrence for something.

Rehearsals have taught me the beauty of vulnerability. One of the scariest things about drama is the first time I have to show a certain emotion onstage, and I don't know if I'm going to be good at it or make a fool of myself. Only by putting myself out there, though, can I improve.

From being part of a cast, I've learned how essential support and encouragement is to strengthen someone. I've learned that when I do have that rare moment "blanking" on a line onstage, my fellow cast member is going to do everything they can to cover for me and get me back on track.

Playing other characters has taught me that, while it's fun to live someone else's life for a momentary scene or two, I am the only person I ever want to be. My own life is a heartfelt, action-packed play that is being written every single day, and I don't want to miss a moment of it.

Most importantly, I've learned that all of the stress, hard work and fear of failure are worth the result. It is worth the feeling that soars inside my stomach and spreads to a grin on my face when, as I'm taking my final bow, I realize everything turned out better than expected.

I think I'm finally getting to the point of my play when I'm putting the nerves aside and just reveling in the excitement that comes from knowing I've prepared myself for this exact moment -- am ready for it -- the curtain is rising, and there's a world behind it waiting to hear my story.

The play will be at 7 p.m. April 8 to 10 at the Old Senior High in Perryville. Tickets are $4.

Senior Mia Pohlman is writing a monthly column chronicling her final year at Perryville High School.