Cloud Nine

On My Own Cloud Nine

This year I decided to try something new. I saw the audition signs for the upcoming theatre production of Cloud Nine around campus. I love watching theatrical productions, especially musicals. I knew that I did not want to be an actor but thought it would be fun to be somehow involved in one my greatest interests. I spent a week contemplating whether I should go and ask if they needed any help back stage. On Monday morning, I woke up with my mind set- I would walk straight to the theatre and ask. But then when afternoon hit I got cold feet. I would not know anyone; I would be the outsider trying to weasel my way into what appeared to be a close-knit group.

Monday came and went, then Tuesday was gone. I played tug-of-war with myself on whether I should go with my gut instinct. All my friends were telling me just to do it, but I was nervous. Finally, on Wednesday I marched to the theatre and signed up for back stage help, not knowing exactly what that meant.

Two weeks had gone by with no word from the Theatre, I just assumed that they had found someone else. Then I received an email from the two stage managers asking if I would be interested in being the Property Mistress. I was extremely excited but nervous at my new title.

I was more or less handed a script and list of all the props needed in order to successfully run the show. I started out by just going to the prop shop and doing what I could and then leaving. I was not really socializing with anyone. However, over time I started to spend more time with Bev and Tori in the Costume Shop asking questions. Eventually I just started doing all my projects in there with them, with my new friends.

I have made so many new friends by leaving my comfort zone of familiar friends and people. Spending so much time at the Theatre and with all the amazing people there has been the time of my life. The experience I have had by trying something new on campus has shown me that I wish I had started with the theatre sooner! Everyone has been so welcoming at the Theatre considering this is my first time. I also cannot forget to thank my amazing Office of Admission for being so understanding with sharing my time between work and props.

I write this the morning after our last performance night. I have on a production t-shirt that all of the cast and crew are wearing today. Last night went amazing. Being backstage and being a part of the theatre I have never seen before brings a smile to my face. All the organized chaos backstage during performances was so much fun to be apart of.

It is now over and I am slowly coming down off ‘my’ cloud nine. But not for long- signups for the next performance are this week!

Inger

Will I Get In?

I'm often (well, at least a couple times a year) asked, "Will I get into Warren Wilson College?" And I usually reply, "Why do you want in?" I'm not trying to be glib, but the reality is that your motive for wanting to attend Warren Wilson is important to those of us in the Admission Office who make decisions about who we admit. Of course we look at grades, test scores, and high school course selection, and we read each and every essay and letter of recommendation. But your motive is what sometimes makes the difference. You need to know -- Why Warren Wilson.
The fact that you are reading this probably bodes well for you. The fact that you have explored the web site this deeply illustrates how hungry you probably are for information.

As we state in our viewbook, "Warren Wilson is not for everyone." Some other small colleges seem to preach to college-bound students as if you are all alike. Well, I've meet very few "alike" students at Warren Wilson. This college is so unique that we scare some students away the minute they read a piece of our literature, and that's okay. The idea of working hard in a campus job, performing service for the community, and balancing a full load of challenging academics along with work and service might not seem like the sort of college experience many of your classmates are looking for. But that's the point - - we're not for everyone. The selection process starts with your interest in finding the right match, and if you have read our material, you are well on your way to being able to tell us if you are a match -- and why you want in.

So, in answer to your question, will I… "get in?" If you are a solid academic student and been engaged in your academic endeavors, if you are someone who cares about making a difference in the world (not just through words but through actions), if you are environmentally aware, and if to you, service means what you can offer others (and in return learn from those you serve) and not how fast you can get fries to go with a customer's coke. And if you can work really hard and work really well with others. Yes, you'll have a really really good chance of "getting in."

Richard for the Admission Staff
(Guest Blogger)