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My Life, Center Stage
To explain to the audience that the picture frame represents my
love of theatre.
My picture frame shows not only my love of theatre but is also a
symbol of the support that I have received from my friends and
family while pursing my dream.
This picture frame is a reminder of my acting debut, my favorite
performance, and my theatrical support system.
Categorical
Introduction:
I. When I was seven years old, I saw the movie Oklahoma! for the first time, and it
opened my eyes to the magical world of musicals.
A. This Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is the story of Laurey, a farm girl, who
falls in love with a cowboy named Curley.
B. As a child who had been previously exposed to musical theatre, I was instantly
drawn to the catchy tunes and the love story that runs throughout the show.
II. As soon as I saw this movie, my dream to one day play Laurey in a production of this
show began.
III. I was lucky enough to have my dream realized during my junior year of high school,
when my drama department put on the show.
IV. My best friend Meagan, who was also in the musical, gave me this picture frame,
complete with a photo of our school’s production of Oklahoma!, because she knew
how much I enjoyed my time spent putting on the show.
V. This picture frame gives a backstage look at my acting debut, my favorite
performance, and my theatrical support system.
(Let’s open the curtain and take a look at the first time that I stepped onstage.)
Body:
I. I like to think that my acting debut took place before I was even born.
A. When my mom was pregnant with me, she was in the musical Once Upon a
Mattress.
1. The rehearsal and performance time for the show spanned three months, so
my mom’s costume had to be made with an elastic waistband so that there was
room for me to grow.
2. To this day, other people who were in the production with my mother will
remind me that I, too, was “up there with them.”
B. I was four years old when I first walked onto a stage to perform in our church
Christmas pageant.
1. My mom sent me onstage and then waited in the wings just in case I didn’t
take well to the experience.
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2. She needn’t have been worried because, according to her, I walked offstage,
looked up wide-eyed, and asked, “When can I do that again?”
(That experience occurred on the same stage that you see in this picture. Let’s talk about
my favorite performance on that stage.)
II. My junior year of high school, I had my big acting debut in the musical Oklahoma!.
A. When I heard that I had the opportunity to be in this show, I realized that I had the
chance to live out my childhood dream to play Laurey.
1. I ran lines and sang constantly during Thanksgiving Break in preparation for
my big audition.
2. The day that the cast list went up, I got to school as early as possible to see the
results, and I spent the rest of the day with a huge smile plastered across my
face.
B. Opening night of this show truly was one of the happiest moments that I can
remember.
(This frame is not only a representation of my favorite activity, but it also reminds me of
the people who worked hard behind the scenes in my life. Let’s take a look at some of
my biggest fans.)
III. I never would have been able to make my way in theatre without the support of my
family and friends.
A. Meagan, the friend who gave me this frame, both encouraged me in my theatrical
pursuits and participated in drama with me.
1. She was always my audition partner and would practice a piece with me until
I felt comfortable performing it.
2. Because of this, we would go and look at the cast list together, and she would
provide me with a hug regardless of the outcome.
B. My biggest source of applause, though, has always been my mom.
1. The day that we found out that I’d gotten the lead in Oklahoma!, she met me
in the parking lot after school, jumped out of her car, and hugged me while
she screamed and jumped up and down.
2. My mom has attended every performance of every play that I have done; she
refuses to miss a night.
3. If I’ve truly done a good job with a show, I know because my mom will cry as
she congratulates me.
Conclusion:
I. My picture frame is a constant reminder to me of my love for the theatre and the
people who have supported my dreams.
II. Seeing it in my dorm room when I wake up in the morning makes me feel a little
closer to home and puts a smile on my face.
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III. When I look at it, I can’t help but recall the words that are sung in the opening
number of Oklahoma!: “Oh, what a beautiful mornin’/Oh, what a beautiful day/I’ve
got a beautiful feeling/Everything’s going my way.”