FIRST LOVE: MORE THAN JUST A STAGE

I can’t say that I love what I’m doing right now. But I can’t say that I don’t.

Teaching has become a quiet anchor in my life, an unexpected source of strength that’s carried me through seasons of uncertainty.

A picture of me and my students after the Romeo and Juliet performance. They are my 1st Love.

It’s not just about lessons and schedules. It’s about people. About the new faces I meet every year and the memories we create together, unplanned, unpredictable, unforgettable.

This journey started with a hidden passion: a desire to give. To prove to others (and perhaps to myself) that magic can happen when people believe in something, even if it’s just a school play.

The First Spark – 2015

I still remember the first time I tried it. No budget, no experience, just a classroom full of students and a wild idea: “They must have this experience.”

That first batch changed everything. Together, we brought three classic stories to life:

• Romeo and Juliet

• Hansel and Gretel

• Hamlet

Each performance was a storm of emotion, joy, nerves, laughter, chaos, and somehow, deep fulfilment. I didn’t expect it to feel so right.

Creating with Heart, Not Resources

The journey wasn’t glamorous. We scavenged for materials, repurposed forgotten props, cleaned, painted, glued, and stitched. There was no spotlight, no applause waiting, just raw passion and creativity.

What we lacked in tools, we made up for in spirit. Those kids, brave, curious, endlessly creative, were mirrors of myself. Together, we made it work.

Romeo and Juliet was so well received, we staged it twice: once in the school hall, and once again in the multipurpose building. When the curtain finally fell, we celebrated the only way we knew how by running straight to the beach, laughter echoing under the open sky.

Why It Mattered

What made it unforgettable wasn’t just the lines we memorised or the costumes we wore. It was the people. The trust. The quiet, tender bonds were built over hours of rehearsals and shared challenges.

If I could go back, I’d stay longer. I’d say more. I’d laugh a little louder.

Because those kids? They were some of the kindest, most loving souls I’ve ever known.

Skills Highlighted:

• Creative direction and script adaptation

• Budget-conscious event planning

• Team building and mentorship

• Stage design and prop-making

• Communication and performance coaching

• Resilience in resource-limited environments

  
  

This wasn’t just a class project. It was a turning point. A reminder that passion can thrive in the most unlikely places, and that with the right people beside you, even the simplest stage becomes a place of magic.