In memory of Vanessa Yasintha Wambura (August 2003 – August 2023).

Prologue: The bell rings. “This is it” I think. I’m going to find out what role I got for High School Musical the play! I rush to clean up my things, then along with my friends, I hurry to join the crowd of kids gathered around one paper. It takes a while, but a minute later I have made my way to the front of the crowd. I look for my name amongst the numerous names and roles list. Venus…Venus…Venus… Venus! I scroll my fingers beside my name to see that I got…Ryan Evans! I step back in shock. I, Venus Wambura got Ryan! I try to think back at my auditions to see if I recall any hints I could get this part. I auditioned as Ryan and I remember them laughing! I laugh too as I remember how I dressed! I got one of my dad’s dress shirts and put it on over a pair of jeans! I took one of my dad’s hats too! I guess I did look pretty convincing! But as I was jumping up and down excited that I got the part, I didn’t realize how much it actually took to be in a play…

Practice! Practice! Practice: Getting the role of Ryan meant that I had a lot of roles to not only memorize, but to perfect! It helped that I had a very close friend who played the role of my older sister Sharpay! It also helped that I had my sisters who were more than willing to help me practice my roles! The three hours of practice at school a week also chipped in a little. I practiced my harmonization with my ‘Sharpay’ so that when we sang together I would be singing an octave lower since I was to be ‘the guy’! But learning and remembering the dance moves in our two dance duets was probably the toughest but it brought a challenge I was so willing to take!

As months passed for HSM the days started getting warmer. The temptation to go outside for recess to play was growing stronger. Oh how nice it would be to play in the sun with my friends….but No! I knew that when I signed up for HSM, I made a commitment!! I would be letting all my fellow cast mates down by not showing up! In fact, Sheryl (the marquee leader), even organized a rule that you miss three practices and you’re out. I am proud to say that I have made it to all the practices and that really helped out a lot especially during the performance.

Moral: This experience taught me a lot! It taught me about dedication and commitment! When you’re doing a play, no matter how big or how small your part is…you’re a needed part of the play! You have to be committed to practicing at home and at school and everywhere you can! I love acting so the play was something I was really ready to do! At first I didn’t expect it to take up all that time, but I’m glad I stayed all the times I needed to because that definitely helped out ‘Sharpay’ and the outlook of the play! Teamwork is a big key to a successful play and everyone worked together to make an amazing play! We’re all in this together! Vanessa wrote her part of experience and this is mine!! Can’t wait for the new opportunity!!

Venus Wambura.