I can quote almost the entire movie Singin’ in the Rain. From the time I was in diapers, I was memorizing the steps to the song “Make ‘Em Laugh” while other young girls watched Disney princesses prance around singing about whimsical fantasies. Childhood evokes the idea of being free from responsibility, and for me, Singin’ in the Rain was my escape. Yet, it wasn’t until I was ten years old that I actually understood the plot of the movie. Up until that point, I had been purely captivated by the catchy songs, eloquent costumes and of course, Gene Kelly’s impeccable dancing. What really drew me into the movie, and continues to draw me in, is the display of passion from the actors. This is the movie that made me fall in love with theatre.
But childhood doesn’t last forever, and eventually, the curtains are lifted to reveal the real world. As I grew older, I attempted to make my friends fall in love with the movie, too. Unfortunately, not one of them ever shared the same fascination, which left me bitterly disappointed. I couldn’t fathom why I would never tire of it and they would just stare at the screen.
Once I began to have a deeper understanding of the storyline, my appreciation only grew stronger. Over time it became a representation of my admiration for musical theatre and my deep devotion to the art of performing. It takes skill, memorization and most of all, a love of the experience. Throughout the movie, it is just so clear to me that Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly absolutely enjoy what they are doing. As I’ve matured in my performing, I find this feeling to be extremely relatable when I am on stage. Memorizing my lines was easy from a young age, but actually performing on stage is what I learned to love from this movie. To me, nothing can ever replace the feeling of being completely in the moment, staying totally in character and knowing that an entire audience is watching every move and listening to every line.
Singin’ in the Rain continues to not only entertain me but also teach me an important life lesson: everyone has different interests and inspirations. This is something we often forget in college. By pursuing my passion for movie musicals, drama and acting instead of conforming to my friends’ norms, I have made many friendships that I would not have had the opportunity to make otherwise. This has made me a much more diverse individual and provided me with useful life skills. Childhood lessons prepare us for both the good and the bad we will encounter in the world. Everyone is unique, and that’s what makes life interesting. Had I never seen this movie, I may not have found my love for acting so quickly and thoughtlessly. Singin’ in the Rain will always inspire me, and I will continue to find different things to love each time I watch it.
All images provided by the author.