Reflections - Zhiyi (Jeremy) Chen

Phoenix Dramatics

Zhiyi (Jeremy) Chen

As I moved into my junior year of high school, I realized that I didn’t have much time left, so I decided to challenge myself by trying out new activities. One of the new things I participated in this year was performing in Phoenix Dramatics. I took part in two productions: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Both turned out well, but the Harry Potter show left a stronger impression on me. Performing in Phoenix Dramatics was something I had wanted to do since middle school but never had the chance to pursue. The Harry Potter show gave me a great opportunity to finally achieve that goal. And yes, I passed the audition and got to play Dumbledore and Cedric Diggory.

As this was a new experience for me, I naturally encountered various challenges while getting ready for the shows. I had to memorize my lines, use facial expressions effectively, and improve my acting skills. To tackle these difficulties, I reached out to Mr. Christian, my drama teacher, and sought guidance from friends with theatrical experience. Through practice and encouragement, I managed to memorize my lines and learned how to portray my characters just as they were in the original film.

It was an incredibly interesting experience. The play was fun, and many interesting things happened during rehearsals. Everyone was nice and full of happiness. I also discovered that I truly enjoyed performing. On stage, I felt free, confident, and completely immersed in the moment. The more I enjoyed it, the more I understood why my friends always talked about after-show depression. It’s an unavoidable feeling—you invest so much focus and passion into the performance, and once it’s over, a sense of emptiness follows. And I felt that too.

Through this experience, I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses while developing new skills to overcome challenges. This aligns with the CAS learning outcomes of "Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process" and "Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth." I also made new friends through this show, which became a meaningful part of my high school journey. I hope to continue performing in future productions and cherish every show I take part in or watch.

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