My Most Memorable SSP Event

My Most Memorable SSP Event

            Having been part of the Shanghai Student Post (International Group) for almost a year, I have to conclude that my most favorite event would be the Christmas Party. I don’t think it was Christmas Party itself, but the process our group had to go through to finish our play. Ever since I joined SPP in early 2009, we have been notorious for going to shows unprepared. This time, we were somewhat determined to make this show as good as possible.

            I never really felt like I was part of the group in SSP. During meetings when everyone was talking and laughing, I would have no idea what would be going on (due to my limited Chinese). I didn’t know anyone’s names unless they told me in English and I never talked to them besides on the Saturdays we had meetings. This “project” really allowed me to understand who my group members were and know a little bit more about them. I learned that Jessica is from Texas, Sandy has an amazing voice, the two Koreans who I thought would have stage fright ended up being the favorite actors. I learned that Alex isn’t as shy or as closed off as he seems and that Xin Sui is very intelligent and talkative when you really get to know her.

            Although we had a lot of scheduling problems and never found time to rehearse, we really pulled it together. Sometimes, I would get frustrated and angry, but the group always found a way to make me laugh, and in the end, I don’t think I cared as much. We ended up going on stage with our main character reading off the script and our members learning their lines two hours before the performance. We had no cues, barely any costumes, no music nor any awesome dance moves to bust out. Yet, we were the only group (in my belief) that went up there completely chilled out. Other groups were fretting and practicing over and over again, but we just had a great time and did the best with what we could work with.