Author: Maple

Maple(hold the syrup) is a wild creature from beyond. He likes connecting with others, and having philosophical conversations, while also laughing a ton. He adores nature in general, and cannot breathe if he's not in it once a day. He dreams of owning a plant shop with a corgi, and a brewery on the side. He also wants to major in psychology, and, of course, write.

how i ‘survived’ msa auditions

I would like to share a little backstory on how I found out about Mississippi School of the Arts before I delve into my story. So I was with my good friend back in (about) 8th grade when we randomly searched up this school while having a sleepover. We thought it would be so cool to go there (I was mainly intrigued by the writing program), and after that I never thought about it again.

Until, 2018 when I passed by MSA on the way to see my friends play. I began asking questions, and set my mind to going there.

So here I am now at the lovely MSA-best decision of my life (and also the most wise).

But how did I get here? How was the audition process? How am I liking it now?

Well, I plan to answer all of those questions, and more that you may have in this blog post. So stay with me, okay?

I had to go online for starters (the MSA website). I frequently checked for when they would open audition applications, and I believe they opened in November?

Anyway, in December I went to experience MSA day (which you should go to if you are interested). It was such an amazing environment, and I really wanted to go there even more after that.

But first, I had to put hard work into my portfolio. Which consisted of memorizing a monologue, and doing several writing pieces (some writing styles I had not done before). There were also recommendations etc. that I had to turn in. If you did not realize it, I auditioned for both theater and literary (though writing is my passion).

I’m not going to lie to you, I did not truly start writing until January, and did not practice my monologue until the weekend before I had to do it (yes, I am a procrastinator). I got it all done though!

Then…it was audition weekend *cue horrifying scream* DUH DUH DUH! Yeah, I was kind of freaking out on the inside because you basically get one chance to audition(no pressure).

I was extremely nervous for my theater audition because I had not truly acted in a long time. I also just recently learned the monologue, as previously stated (good going).

The first audition I went to was for literary. It did not involve speaking, so I was completely fine. We were given a prompt that we had to write about in a certain time. It was not that stressful, but I had doubts that I would get into that discipline.

Then my theater audition was next(*internally screams*). Boy oh boy was I scared. I was escorted to the black box room, a timer was set, and I began(I was nervous). Then I had to switch the mood/tone of my monologue (If it was sad, do it happy this time). Then I did a cold read which wasn’t too bad. But that movement improvisation… was not good(at least to me). It’s where you, for example, walk sad then walk angry.

So basically I truly believed I bombed my auditions and my dreams of going to this school was over. My audition process was not over yet though. I still had to have an interview about basic things (just making sure you are good to be here). That part was not as stressful as I thought it would be (it was the simplest part actually).

Auditions were over, and I had no idea if I would get in or not. My mind was saying that I probably was not. But, a word of advice, do not doubt your abilities.

It was weeks after auditions on a Thursday. I was really hoping that the letter would of come in sooner. I checked the mail, and nothing was there. Disappointed, I went inside and waited for my mom to take me out to eat.

In the car she was talking about how the letter probably got lost in the mail. I thought I was just not getting accepted into MSA. I was really upset about that.

Until, we sat down in the restaurant and my mom pulled out a letter. It was the MSA letter! I was both shocked and doubtful that I would get in still. My mom’s face said that she already saw that I got in.

Here’s the video 😉

Okay, I know the video is a bit cringey, but I mean that was my raw reaction so…

To my surprise I got into both literary and theater. I was baffled, and actually cried because I was so happy. All that work paid off.

Now, I am here and I truly love this place. I have really come out of my shell(that sounds weird) since being here. I have amazing friends, and am able to write everyday- which I have been loving.

So if you are even thinking about coming here (if you are in 10th grade), I would highly encourage you to start working on what you need(check the MSA website). Follow your passions, and do not let fear drive you away from them!

If you do plan to audition, I wish you good luck and strength. It is possible. You can do it!

 

who am i? who are you?

I have had so many personalities over the years. I have also had many different styles.

I remember when I used to wear cowboy boots with bootcut jeans. I listened to country while wearing that style. I also said y’all constantly.

But that was not me. That was my families influence on me.

I wore jeggings from Justice. They were stretchy, and did not flatter my figure. My hair would be tied up in a pony tail. I would wear this blue, fuzzy (imagine the cookie monster) jacket, and for some reason, I would wear hiking boots. I listened to pop.

But that was not me. That was me trying to find myself when I had no one to guide me. I suppose you could call that my awkward faze-Ew.

In 8th grade I wore hoodies all year round-preferably black. In fact my whole outfit was usually black. I felt comfortable in that color; in those hoodies. I listened to rock (Pierce the Veil, Sleeping with Sirens, Black Veil Brides, The Killers, etc.).

Was that me? No, not exactly. It was more of a self conscious, confidence-lacking version of me. Though, I was beginning to see myself.

Now, I wear bangs, glasses, and belts. Some days I wear mom jeans, cardigans, and doc martens. Other days I wear black on black. I wear what I want. I wear what makes me happy. I listen to many different types of music such as rock, jazz, classical, international rock + pop, etc. I listen to what I want. I listen to what makes me happy.

Am I me now? How can I even define who I am by music and clothes? Perhaps other people can, but I will tell you who I really am.

I am not a set of clothes, nor am I the music I listen to. I am not my dad, my mom, and my brother. I am none of those tangible things that you may think of.

I am funny, serious, loving, determined, passionate, witty, sarcastic, empathetic, sensitive, creative, and so many other things other than what you can visibly see.

So before you go and label someone based on what they look like, or even what they sound like. I want to challenge you to look deeper into who that person is. It may surprise you how much there personality radiates such a beauty about them.

My name is Hannah Hays, and I am unapologetically me.

And you should be unapologetic about who you are as well. After all, your body has overcome so many things. Your mind has faced several issues. You are strong, and I commend you for that.

 

My writing journey

Hi everyone! It’s my first post since being here at MSA. I thought it would be interesting to share my journey of writing. I would also love to hear about yours (if you consider yourself one).

First, I want to define what a writer is.

Writer: a person who has written a particular text; one who writes.

When you look at this literal form of the definition it seems like anyone could be a writer, which is true in a way. You could write an essay, a short story, anything really, and be considered a writer.

I have a different spin on this word though. Being a writer is a part of who I am. I love words, and I have a desire to form meaningful pieces with them. I want people to feel the emotions I am feeling while I write.

So I would say that the feeling and passion for writing really makes a difference between just writing whatever without any true meaning towards it.

Now, I would like to share my journey of becoming a writer with you guys. Maybe you can relate to this, or you may be curious about how one ‘becomes’ a writer.

When I was around seven I would always grab stacks of copy paper from my dad’s office. I would sneak back into my room and the process would begin. I would take the copy paper and make stick figures and give them dialogue. Typically, my stories were about stereotypical mean high school girls and crushes- I remember titling one “The Bachelor.”

Skip to me being ten at Justice (the store) picking up a pink, fuzzy diary and a fluffy pen. Now, that’s where my journaling and poetry began. Again, the writing (specifically my poetry) was stereotypical romance and conflicts.

Here’s one of my poems:

“My love is deeply cut into pieces, and scattered all around. I can’t say what I want to him or else it will all turn upside-down. Though my heart really wants to speak, my breath can’t make a sound.”

Okay, I know what you are thinking, “Well I guess she chose romance as the main thing she wrote, and still writes.” -And, boy oh boy, would you be wrong.

In middle school a lot happened in my life-big changes. So that not only had an effect on how I acted, but it also changed what genre I wrote. This was the time when I wrote almost everyday. This is the moment when writing became my crutch.

I stopped truly writing after that point in my life (about 8th grade). Frankly, I didn’t know who I was as a writer anymore.

I felt disabled.

I couldn’t pick up a pen and express my feelings on a page like I used to. My dreams of being an author were replaced by other things (makeup, Netflix, etc.)

So, I had to begin my journey back to writing. I wanted to get back that missing part of me. Even if it was hard.

That did not seriously begin until I thought about coming here (MSA). Yes, it took that long to come back to writing. That is because I had to do some forgiving towards others, and myself.

From that point on I used my bad experiences to show how I overcame them. I wanted to be able to speak to others like me. I wanted to encourage them.

And man did it feel so lovely to be reconnected to a piece of myself.

Overall, writing has been my friend, my supporter, my coping mechanism, and it has been my gateway to be able to come to MSA.

I have a lot of love towards writing. I have overcome obstacles with it. I have been empowered with it.

I want writer’s, just like myself, to be proud of how far writing has taken them. Most importantly,to keep on falling in love with writing, and continue working towards their dreams.