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The Theatre is the One Place They Told Me to be Bigger . . .

by Holly Gallagher (Australia)

February 2023

Write the World Review

Audio: "The Theatre is the One Place They Told Me to be Bigger . . ." read by Holly Gallagher

It was side of stage I stood, counting breaths, readying for the lights to fade and come up again, as surely as the sun would rise and set,
readying for my entrance
when a tall, shadowy figure leaned down to me and whispered,
“I want you to take up as much space as possible”
Lights down.
I quivered as I walked on stage,
suddenly conscious of all the eager eyes before me,
hungering for the next act
Lights up.
I felt a sudden edge—lump in my throat
I swallowed. Hard.
And I spoke
The dialogue falling out of me like music,
like freedom

The play is called a play because it is the player, while actors are the instruments
through which these emotionally penetrative tunes are plucked, strummed, and reverberated
The edge I had felt was not anxiety but the sharp realisation that I had stepped into an orchestra beyond myself or much my understanding,
where I acted as a vessel for beauty to pass through,
delicately, or sometimes harshly, weaving itself into the hearts of others who let it;
not an object of beauty itself.
And through this I found to love myself
To love this moment of true connection;
symbiosis,
actor to audience,

human to human

Where we are not falsely trying to prove ourselves by starving,
withering away in acts of deception,
emotional withdrawal
Refusing to let ourselves grow, feel, blossom
for fear of infringing on someone else

for fear of imposing our bigness.




Holly Gallagher, age 16, is an aspiring writer, actor, and musician from Sydney, Australia. This piece was written about her love of theatre and performing, but hopefully will resonate with anyone who has a strong passion for something they do.

#Identity          #Joy

Are you a young writer who wants to be published in Write the World Review, or is there a young writer in your life (relative, friend) who should be published in Write the World Review? Learn how here!

Celina Johnson

3/15/23, 5:10 PM

I am seeing all of your comments, and BLESS YOU ALL, thank you so much for wishing me well on this journey, your kind words will certainly help me get there! ❤️❤️

Here's my linkedin, just in case:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/celinasjourney
I hope I can do that lol

3/13/23, 3:01 AM

Holy_Grail

3/10/23, 6:30 PM

You write beautifully and with so much passion. Wonderful writing Taieba,

LRD

2/28/23, 3:57 PM

"I am trying to tell you wish I were a boy
but you mis-trans-late the words and hear
wish I were less of a girl." This is my favourite statement from here! A trans-formative piece :)

Denise Cyrus

2/28/23, 5:26 AM

What a wonderful piece of writing! I cannot wait to see how you will change the world for the better with your words! I am proud of you and am even prouder to call you my friend!

John Strebe

2/27/23, 11:43 PM

Fun to read, causing me to want to make one of these creations and the devour the result. Sophia, thanks for sharing your creativity with us

Lilies and Peonies

2/27/23, 7:00 PM

Wow, you have been through so much. What a terrible time to be living through, so many lives broken, lost, or insecure because of the war. I'm praying for you that God would protect you and your family, and that he would keep you until the war ends.

Ray Pauley

2/27/23, 4:58 PM

Sophia is my granddaughter and I am very, very proud of her and her writings. I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of her written words in the future!

Leighton Highley

2/24/23, 7:41 PM

How do I add a poem? <3

Holy_Grail

2/21/23, 6:39 AM

Amazing writing here. I love the force this piece gives. You write so creatively.

Holy_Grail

2/21/23, 6:37 AM

Congratulations on getting published!

Pastel daydream

2/20/23, 10:55 PM

This is IT!

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