Standing on opening night, waiting for the stage lights to turn on is something I will never forget. The warmth of the lights hitting my face and beaming a smile is something I will never forget.

The Notre Dame musical has brought me joy and improved my dark winter nights. 

The Notre Dame musical community is where you feel like a family. It is the people you spend most of your nights with after school and a place you feel unjudged. The endless amount of time spent together brings us together to make the performances even better. 

I never planned on joining the musical, but thank God I did. It has indeed been one of those life-changing things you experience. The people are all so sweet and experiencing the same things as you.

Being on stage means forgetting everything happening outside and focusing on the lyrics and choreography. Smiling and singing with others creates a sense of community you can not find anywhere else. Finishing a show means everyone gathers together and applauds each other’s accomplishments. 

Musicals may be one of the most selfless activities. You care about others and their accomplishments, maybe even more than yourself, and ensure that everything else runs smoothly for your fellow performers. 

As I started my musical season this month, I realized the importance of soaking in the last moments as a senior.