My first experience with PGSTT "The George Story" by Matt Arnold

There are two accounts which I can consider my first experiences with PGSTT. My very first experience was watching my two sisters in Hello Dolly. One of them had the role of Minnie Fay, one of the supporting female roles in the show. I don't remember much about the show in particular, it was roughly 10 years ago, but I do remember thinking to myself "I want to do that when I'm old enough."thanks!

The second account which I can call a "first experience" was the auditions for a show I was in 2 years later with PGSTT, The Wizard of Oz. I was nervous, very nervous. My sisters reminded me of PGSTT's desperate need of male actors and that I was going to get into the show no matter what, this did very little to calm my nerves. This was my first audition for any musical, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had no idea i was about to be welcomed into the arms of a 2nd family, a "summer" family, that I would re visit for the next 7 years.

For my song I sang "Lida Rose" from The Music Man if I recall properly, (if it wasn't that it was "What do I need with Love" from Thoroughly Modern Millie (ironically the final show with PGSTT that I was in)).

After that we had to read monologues. I read a monologue from "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" where Charlie is sitting and eating lunch and notices the very cute red headed girl. I remember just thinking to myself "It's like reading out loud during English class." I read the monologue and acted (or what I thought to be acting.) If I were to remember one specific detail of that audition it was that when I was done I looked up and saw the directors all at least smiling, and the music director actually laughing. From there on I began to feel more and more comfortable singing and acting and being myself with the fellow cast members around me.

Through that summer I began to learn about my favorite part of musical theatre, the people involved in the show and the friendships I developed. PGSTT became the beginning of many friendships that to this day remain strong, some of which started during the Wizard of Oz.