MT19 Appreciation


Entering college at ONU, I knew I would have a small class of people who were in my major from the size of the school and the nature of my “unique” major, musical theatre. Because of this, I hoped deep down that I would be able to get close with my class over the course of four years. Freshman year me had no idea that “close” would be a large understatement for the bond I would create with the people I proudly call MT19. What started as a built-in group of friends has grown into a true family. I know describing a group of friends as a family is sometimes sappy or overused but the bond I feel with the members of MT19 is unlike any other friendship I could have imagined. With them, I have the fiercest support system I’ve ever experienced; we relentlessly encourage each other, whether that be giving each other standing ovations for every performance, helping each other create, practice and pick material, accompanying each other to auditions, or simply praising each other for being authentically ourselves. They are the most fun group of people I have the privilege to hang out with, and they’ve brought me out of my shell, became my safe place and helped me find confidence in myself. I feel like I can be my best self around MT19 and I feel like I have become so much better of a person because of them. 

       Not to mention I constantly beam with pride for how talented the members of MT19 are! I have had the pleasure to work with members of my class multiples times in shows since my freshman year. Besides the incredible roles they’ve played here at ONU, many of them are doing incredible things this summer, performing in lead roles at professional summer stock theaters, working in internships with a variety of professional companies, or directing theatre camps for kids. It amazes me how multitalented my class, being not only amazing singers, dancers, and actors, but also directors, choreographers, designers, artists, photographers, composers, musicians, and presidents of student organizations. 

   
I love MT19. Words can’t describe how grateful I am for them as the beautiful individuals they are and how for loved they make me feel. They’ve helped me through some of my hardest times, laughed or celebrated with me through some of my most joyful times, and mostly have endlessly empowered me to be the best version of myself. 

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