Editor’s Note: Before posting a comment to this article, please check this out first. 

—

 The thrill of being onstage and putting yourself out there is an experience that everyone should have at least once. What better place to try new things than at Edina High School? Unfortunately, unless you have the voice of an angel or have been acting since birth, you probably won’t be cast in the show.

Frankly, when I go and see an EHS performance, I’m not expecting to see professionals. I’d much rather see a group of kids having the time of their lives under the bright lights of EPAC. Theater is about self expression and individual interpretation, and I believe that not allowing willing students to participate limits their ability to, for lack of a better word, self-express!

Some think that the exclusivity of the cast list prepares students for auditions after high school where not everyone gets in, but I beg to differ. I think that rather than helping, the program is defeating kids, lowering self-esteem, and making them not want to audition again for the next show. Another argument for the many cuts is that if the cast is small, they will bond better. But isn’t that just creating yet another clique that Edina tries so hard to prevent?  If Edina High School wants to be known for its inclusivity and open arms, they may want to send that message over to the drama department.

Please, interested thespians, don’t think that the system is corrupt by any means. Theater is an amazing opportunity that the high school presents, so don’t be afraid to try out! But also, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get the starring role. I strongly believe that if Edina put more people on the stage, and chose shows that have larger casts, the lights would shine a little brighter on performance night.