Today’s photo is reaching back over a decade ago when I was in high school. A random fact that you may not know about me is that I’ve been a cast member in almost 10 musicals in the span of my life. Everything from high school productions to community productions. Now, my first role was granted to me in high school though it was more out of the fact that they needed guys…but meh. I was “Tom the Cowboy” in Flushing Senior High School’s Oklahoma!
Yeah, that’s me in the middle.
Let me tell you, when I found this photo this week I laughed out loud and a ton of great memories came flooding back. This production was the final one that the majority of us in the photo would be a part of at FHS. Most of us were seniors and would be graduating a few weeks later.
It was a crazy experience for me, as it was my first production as a cast member. I had always done programs and tickets, and a lot of behind the scenes roles. Also, as a violinist I was always a member of the Pit Orchestra rather than on stage, so I was kind of a traitor when I switched over to the acting side for my Senior Year. I was only a member of the chorus but it was still a blast. My biggest part was when I had to buy a saddle from the character “Curly”. I would exchange it for a silver dollar…and then be handed a full horse saddle. Needless to say it was pretty much an awkward and hilarious disaster night after night. My accent always came out English and carrying that saddle may have been a show highlight, as the saddle weighed twice my weight (which is sadly no longer applicable :/) and I had to walk off stage waddling this bulky and heavy saddle.
My buddies in the photo were mostly cast members and also members of the school’s all male a capella group the Nu Alpha Delta Singers. However the group was more commonly known as NADS.
I’ve been able to keep in touch in some of them and we’ve all pretty much survived the rest of high school and college successfully and have been doing well for ourselves.
Chris, the one on the far left is in New York as a fashion designer, which is no surprise. His sketches he shared with us in high school were freaking fantastic.
Tim, the one on the far right in still in Michigan as a Radio Host for Flint’s NASH FM95.1. Let me tell you I loved this station and when I first heard him on it, totally didn’t know it was him lol.
Adam, the one on my immediate left is the General Manager at Flint’s hot spot, the 501 Bar and Grill while balancing time with his wife and adorable daughter.
It’s crazy to think that Oklahoma was almost 12 years ago and we were young and innocent back then…well mostly innocent…ish! Either way its surreal to see where we’ve all ended up since.
Hope you enjoyed going down memory lane with me 🙂 .
Until next time!
Peace, Love and Pandas!
Hello World, Its Me, Brian 