Rhea Johnston

Mrs. Bryner
English 12-6
28 August 2016
Theatre Awakening
I dont consider myself a sensitive person. That being said, I dont cry a lot. Im not big on
romance movies or gushy teen novels, and I have never watched The Bachelor. The only place I
have ever really felt affected by something scripted or fictional, is through theatre. My mom has
been taking me to see plays and musicals since I was three years old. Now I am seventeen, and
have developed an extreme appreciation for theatrical productions. One in particular being,
Duncan Sheiks Spring Awakening. I went to see a community theater production of Spring
Awakening with two of my best friends. They had both seen the show before but I was unfamiliar
with it. I was anxious because I heard that the show was very depressing. But I was still excited
to see it. We took our seats and the house lights went down. There was an rustle of everyone
settling into their seats and hushed whispers of anticipation for the show to begin.
The show opens with Wendla Bergmann lamenting over how her mother has given her no
way to handle things. Her struggle is one that many teenagers face, growing up mis or under
informed. As the show continues we meet Melchior Gabor, a rebellious and self educated
outcast, and Moritz Stiefel, a spazzy and confused individual. Melchoir and Wendla begin a
romantic relationship, but Melchoir is much more informed about sexuality and the human body
than she is. Meanwhile, Moritz, distracted by all the information that he has learned from
Melchoir, struggles to pay attention in school, and flunks out. After being disowned from his
father after failing, Melchoir decides that the only solution to avoid the overwhelming guilt he

feels, is to commit suicide. Wendla becomes pregnant after her and Melchoir have semiconsensual sex. Her mother overwhelmed with the guilt of not informing her daughter of where
babies come from, takes her to an abortionist. Wendla dies during the procedure. Melchoir,
waiting to meet with Wendla and unaware of her death, plans to meet her at the cemetery, where
he comes across her headstone. Overcome with grief, he begins to monologue about how dying
is the only solution to mend his pain.
Tears started streaming down my face during the second to last number of the show, Those
Youve Known. The spirits of Wendla and Moritz join Melchoir in song as he proclaims that
those you've known and lost still walk behind you. Melchoir changes his mind about
committing suicide because he knows that whenever he struggles in the future, he will have his
loved ones there by his side. During the reunion of the three characters, I felt as though I
completely connected with each one of them. It was the first time I have ever cried while
watching a performance.
After the cast had taken their bows and the house lights came up, I didnt want to leave the
theater. I was flooded with sadness and empathy for the characters who I had just seen. I loved
every minute of the performance and I had never been so invested in something I had seen. This
musical gave me the hope that no matter how bad things get, there are always people there to
help you. It allowed me to become a more empathetic person.