As a senior working on my fourth musical with the Academy, I’m so proud of how far we’ve come. Our growth during the making of this show was nothing short of magical. Together, we have learned, laughed, stressed, and challenged ourselves. The time we spent practicing and perfecting has strengthened our love for the arts and brought us closer together. I am so honored to be a part of this driven, kind, and talented cast. I hope our efforts and dedication shine through, and most of all, I hope you enjoy the show!
Olivia Nuzzo, '25
Disenchanted! is an empowering, female-forward story that retells the tale of the age-old “Princess Complex.” Princesses don’t need a prince to shine. Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and the princesses you know and love are here to set the record straight.
I am honored to be able to reflect on four amazing years of participating in our theater program. I am even more honored and excited to be finishing my career with a show as amazing as Disenchanted!. Its undertones of female empowerment could not be more perfect for our school and our program. Disenchanted! is as funny, quirky, and ironic as it is beautiful. When you look past the humor of the various jokes and songs, this show’s message is profound. We’ve all grown up believing that the perfect princess has her perfect prince with her perfect face and her perfect body. We’ve come to believe that those people exist. However, the princesses tonight take charge and stand up against that awful idea.
Putting this show together, like all others, was not easy– yet, it was worth it (it always is). Putting a show together, no matter what and no matter where, completely changes you. You are not the same person you were from the beginning of it. Through learning songs and choreography, we all come to learn a little bit more about ourselves. I can confidently say that this has been my experience being a part of AOSE Theater for the past four years.
Without this experience, I would not be who I am today. I would not have the confidence I have today. I would not be able to speak without fear of being judged. Through this program (and Miss Christin threatening to fail me if I didn’t audition!), I have become a better person. I remember walking away from my experience performing as Roxie Hart in Chicago with such a grateful heart because I had grown so much in the short span of a few months. Now, with many more months and experiences under my belt, I look back on my time here with even more gratitude– which I previously did not think was possible.
I see students who are where I was a few years ago. I see them fall more and more in love with performing each day. I wish I could stay just a little while longer to see them continue to bloom. I truly hope everyone watching or participating tonight knows that there isn’t a better place to be. There isn’t a better program to take part in. There isn’t a better place to grow. Miss Christin and Miss Erin have provided us with the most perfect place to express ourselves and to flourish. I will forever be grateful for this program.
“But that was once upon a time.”
Maggie Jones, '25
