In my Humanities class, we were placed in groups and each group was assigned a play.

Our
task was to present a summary and then reenact a vital scene. My group received
“Agamemnon.” The pressure set in as we were instructed we would have to perform the twisted
climax where Agamemnon’s wife, Clymesestria, murders him. As we began dissecting the
scene, the project presented a dilemma. “Who will play Clymesestria?” When the question was
posed, all of us looked around silently praying for volunteers. To everyone’s dismay, no
volunteers answered the call.
The excuses rang out echoing across our eardrums. “I can’t act!” “Have you seen me present?
I'll freeze up!”

Eventually, the role of Clymesestria was up for grabs between me and another peer.
We went back and forth with our excuses; the ringing bell left our match undecided. Later on,
we reached a conclusion. I would play the unenviable role.

Leading up to our presentation, my nervousness rose to a boiling point. I was not ready for this.
I hadn’t acted since elementary school and those roles were hardly prerequisites for this
upcoming gig! I had to prepare! After hours of reading and research, I was almost ready.

I couldn’t just play the part, I had to LOOK the part. Unsurprisingly, a 17-year-old doesn’t
resemble a psychotic middle-aged woman. To not let my group down, I went all the way into this
role. I used white bed sheets as my toga and I utilized one of my mom’s wigs to really nail
Clymesestria’s essence.

It’s the day. I change discreetly in the restroom. I then enter the classroom.

“OMG!!!” I am flooded with a wide array of compliments; more than I expected or deserved.
They loved it. When it came time to perform, we executed it perfectly. Both our chemistry and
our costumes set us apart from the monotony. We finished to a roaring applause. We were
declared winners of the Oscars. I never knew that our performance would have such an effect. I
got both an exquisite grade of 104 and an experience which I'll never forget.