By Emma Turco ’15 | Staff Writer

I’ve always had a love for musical theatre. While most kids ran up and down a soccer field or hit tennis balls, I took voice lessons: It was the one hobby I truly enjoyed.

I started performing in plays in 4th grade, and every production I have been in since then has been a family reunion, as my family was always there to show me support.

This being the case, you can imagine my parents surprise when I announced that I was not going to audition for the musical this year. I had decided somewhere throughout freshman year that I would never major in theatre in college or pursue it as a career. Ever since then, I began to enjoy performing less and less.

However, as musical season rolled around, my thoughts about long rehearsals and the stress of memorizing lines began to get the best of me.

After a lot of thought, I decided to audition.

It was the best decision I’ve ever made and to my surprise, I was awarded the part of Mary Poppins in this years musical.

With each rehearsal of the show I began to rediscover all of the things about theatre that I once loved so much. From the excitement of hitting a note I struggled with during rehearsals, to hearing to roar of an audience during bows, I loved every minute of it. I even enjoyed memorizing lines and some of the rehearsals that lasted entire Saturdays.

On the last show May 3, I felt the tears roll down my face as I sung the final song of the last musical in which I would ever perform.

Much like with any hobby that you’ve been involved throughout your childhood, there are moments when you hate it; for example, a long practice or a bad game. However, when it ends all you can think about are the good times you’ve had or the people you’ve met through it.

As cheesy as it sounds, theatre is a part of me. It is what gives me confidence, a goal, and something to work on. It is an area in which I aspired to improve and have enjoyed working on. And after so many years of having it in my life, it is all over.

While my decision not to pursue theatre beyond high school has not changed, I will immensely miss the adrenaline rush of stepping out to a full house for the first time.

I could not be more grateful for the wonderful experience Grosse Pointe South theatre has given me. I am so proud of everyone who worked on and participated in “Mary Poppins” this year.

“In every job when it’s complete, there is a sense of bittersweet, that moment when you know the task is done.” –Mary Poppins