A successful CAS experience for me was the Aladdin, Jr. musical. This was one of my most memorable and educational experiences in high school. Producing the play was a great deal of work I didn't account for, with much time spent on rehearsals and run-throughs for each scene. Not only that, but I also ran into several problems during this experience that taught me many things that I will return to use in the future. It taught me how to manage my time well and the consequences of not doing it well enough, as I experienced a clash in priorities between this project and another.

I got a lot out of joining the production, which was a very stressful yet fruitful learning experience.  Due to sudden changes in plans, I was able to immerse myself and be a part of rehearsals and backstage work. I was most appreciative of this as it gave me total work experience in a field I was very interested in—movie production. It gave me a feel for what it's like to work on an acting set. I also experienced how tiring and time-consuming it was to complete a project this big.

The experience required me to step out of my comfort zone, which I never thought I would voluntarily do, but I’m glad I did. It taught me other skills, such as leadership and communication. These skill sets will help prepare me for college college when I meet new people and take on new jobs. Being a part of something this creative and impactful made me feel very proud of myself, a feeling I want to experience again. Participating in this project made me more comfortable using my voice and character. I will do this again whenever I get the opportunity.