Start of Something New
Hello! My name is Nicole Pietrangelo and I am thrilled to be starting my blog for TheaterMania U! I’m a junior at the University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE!) pursuing my Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance with a double minor in Theater and Business.
You may say “Alabama? That school’s only known for its football.” Well, after casually pointing out that we just won our 14th national championship last year, I would like to say that both music and theater programs here at UA are some of the best in the South. It’s true, Alabama does deserve to be recognized for more than just football. I’ve learned more about myself and how to be a great performer in my two years at Alabama than I ever have. Here’s a little bit about my journey that got me where I am today.
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until high school that I discovered my love for musical theater. Before then, I had always auditioned for the school musicals, but was conveniently placed in the ensemble, probably because I was so shy during those awkward middle school years. Well, my first year of high school wasn’t much different. I was still the same shy girl who was also obsessed with performing. Not a very good combination if you ask me.
But when our drama teacher announced the spring musical would be (drum roll…) High School Musical, I was determined to overcome my shyness and give the best audition of my life for the role of Gabriella. I mean, any HSM lover would’ve done the same, right? Unfortunately, I didn’t get the part and was, once again, part of the ensemble. I don’t remember many details about the show, but I do remember being completely awestruck by the girl who did get to play Gabriella. I was watching and learning from her throughout the entire process because I was determined to be in her position one day.
In the following years, I started to come out of my shell and musical theater continued to play a bigger and bigger role in my life. I was constantly either at a voice lesson, an acting lesson, a dance class, or a rehearsal, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
During my senior year, I faced the daunting task of college auditions and it was one of the most stressful, yet exciting times of my life. After auditioning for about 15 schools across the country, I finally decided on Alabama for vocal performance and am so glad I did. Being a theater minor as well, I feel like I’m getting the best of both worlds since I’m involved in both theater and music departments. I also love to write, which is what led me to TMU. There’s really nothing better than combining all your interests into one, which is what I feel like I’m doing by starting this blog. I can’t wait to share all that I’m discovering about theater and how it has affected my life and changed me as a person.
Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to play Gabriella in High School Musical, but instead, got to dye my hair blonde to be Sharpay in an encore production a couple years later. The irony here cannot go unnoticed! Basically, theater has given me excuses to do wild and crazy things that I never would have done otherwise. I’ve sung opera, written music, and played a huge variety of characters. And now I get to write about it! That’s what makes theater so exciting. We never know what exactly is in store.
