Coming into my freshman year at The College of New Jersey, I knew I wanted to find my place in the theatre community. Having spent so much of my high school experience onstage doing cast, I was excited to continue pursuing my love for theatre in college. However, I never expected my first production at TCNJ to take me somewhere completely different: behind the scenes.
TCNJ Musical Theatre’s black box production of Urinetown was my first college show, and I had the opportunity to serve as Assistant Hair and Makeup. Although this was a new experience for me, it quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of my freshman year so far. What started as an opportunity to explore a different side of theatre turned into so much more than I could have imagined. It gave me the chance to meet incredible people, make friendships, and become part of a community that I am so grateful to have found.
Having always been involved in the cast, stepping into a role outside of performing was definitely a change. Instead of learning lines, rehearsing scenes, and preparing to take the stage, I got to explore my creative side in an entirely different way. Being part of the hair and makeup team allowed me to contribute to the overall vision of the show while experimenting with different looks and ideas. There was something so exciting about seeing our work come together and watching each character transform through the details we helped create. I loved getting to know the cast members who sat in our chairs, catching up with them before performances, and being a small part of their journey throughout the show. It reminded me that even when you aren’t the one performing, you still get to build connections with the amazing people who are.
One of my favorite parts of the experience was the people I got to work alongside. The hair and makeup team was truly the best, and I am so grateful for the friendships and memories I made throughout the process. From sharing ideas and figuring things out together to getting ready for performances, there was never a dull moment. But what made this experience even more special was realizing how much bigger that community was than just our team. Whether it was the people I worked with behind the scenes or the cast members I got to know through doing their hair and makeup, I found myself making friendships and building connections everywhere. Everyone was so welcoming, supportive, and excited to be there, and it made coming to run-throughs and performances something I genuinely looked forward to.
What really stood out to me was the energy everyone brought into the space. There is something so special about being surrounded by people who are just as passionate about theatre as you are. No matter how long someone has been involved, whether it is their first show or their fourth year, everyone brings something different to the table, and everyone makes an effort to lift each other up. There is an incredible sense of encouragement and support that makes you feel like you belong from the moment you walk in. You are constantly reminded that you are part of something bigger than yourself, and that every contribution matters. It never felt like anyone was on their own. We all celebrated each other’s accomplishments, helped one another through stressful moments, and made sure everyone felt included.
Some of my favorite memories weren’t even necessarily about the show itself, but about the little traditions and moments in between. One that I will definitely remember is the pre-show “Pass the Squeeze” ritual. It might seem like such a small thing, but it is one of those moments that brings everyone together before the chaos of a performance begins. It is a reminder that we are all in this together, supporting one another and getting ready to put everything we’ve worked so hard on out there. And, of course, there are the post-show elevator rides, when everyone piles in together to head back up after a performance. Between the conversations, laughter, and excitement, those little moments became some of my favorite parts of the entire experience. There is always something happening, someone making you laugh, or a memory being made. Truly, there is never a dull moment!
What made this production even more meaningful was knowing that it was entirely student-run. Every aspect of the show reflected the time, dedication, and creativity of TCNJ students. Watching everyone pour so much of themselves into this production was incredibly inspiring. From the cast members spending countless hours rehearsing and perfecting their characters to the creative teams working behind the scenes to make every detail come together, it was amazing to witness just how much hard work goes into bringing a show to life. Everyone had a role to play, and you could see how much pride each person took in their work. It was especially rewarding to know that the people making all of this happen were students who were also balancing classes, assignments, and everything else college brings. Seeing that level of commitment and dedication made me appreciate the production, and the people behind it, even more. It reminded me that theatre is so much bigger than what the audience sees onstage: every person involved plays an important role in creating something special.
Beyond the friendships and memories, something else that made this production so meaningful was the message behind Urinetown itself. Although the show uses comedy and satire to tell its story, its themes are surprisingly relevant to the world we live in today. It explores what happens when something as essential as a basic human resource becomes controlled by those in power, highlighting issues of inequality, greed, privilege, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Beneath all of the humor, there is a powerful reminder of what can happen when people are divided, but also what is possible when they come together. In many ways, that message felt especially important when looking around at the community everyone had built throughout this production. We are a group of students from different backgrounds, with different experiences and different levels of theatre involvement, all coming together to create something bigger than ourselves. Just as the show reminds us of the importance of unity and collective action, our own production demonstrated how much can be accomplished when people support one another and work toward a shared goal. It was a reminder that theatre can do more than entertain an audience, but it can start conversations, challenge perspectives, and bring people together.
As someone who has always associated theatre with being onstage, Urinetown gave me a whole new appreciation for everything that happens behind it. It showed me that theatre is not just about the final performance or the people taking their bows. It is about the countless hours of preparation, the friendships formed along the way, the traditions that bring everyone together, and the people who show up for one another every single day. It is about celebrating each other’s accomplishments, encouraging one another through the stressful moments, and creating an environment where everyone feels like they have a place. I may have started my college theatre experience in a different role than I was used to, but I couldn’t be happier that I did.
I am so grateful that my first TCNJ production was Urinetown and that I had the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of people. I came into this experience hoping to find my place in college theatre, and I left with so much more than just a show I participated in. I found a community, made friendships I will cherish, and gained a new appreciation for everything that goes into creating theatre. More importantly, I was reminded of the power of coming together, supporting one another, and using theatre to share stories that mean something. Whether it is getting ready for a performance, passing the squeeze, laughing together in the elevator, or showing up for one another through the busiest moments, it is the people and the little traditions that make this experience so unforgettable. Urinetown reminded me that we are always stronger when we come together, and my first TCNJ production showed me just how true that can be. I am so excited to see where TCNJ Musical Theatre takes me next, and if my first show is any indication of what is to come, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.