When Carmen Tate (12, YPAS) steps onto the stage, there’s an unmistakable sense of confidence in the air. For Tate, there’s nothing quite like the rush of performing. It’s a feeling that’s been with her since she was a child, when she first wanted to attend Manual.
“I’ve dreamed of going here,” Tate said. “I have three brothers and all of them went to Manual, so I knew that I wanted to go here since elementary school.”
Originally, Tate wanted to be in the musical theater program, but one of her brothers convinced her to apply for theater instead. Once she got in, she never looked back.
Tate performed in many plays and musicals, most recently “Grease,” which ended its run in late November. She played Rizzo, the tough, sarcastic and outspoken leader of the Pink Ladies. It was an impactful role for Tate.
“I think she’s the coolest character in the play,” Tate said.
In order to get into character, she immerses herself in the behavior, dialogue and time period of the person she’s portraying. It’s what distinguishes her above other students and what grants her leading roles in plays and musicals as a theater major.
“When I’m playing Rizzo, there’s a part where I’m super hurt and about to cry,” Tate said. “I’m reaching emotions that I don’t usually feel, it’s very cathartic.”
But finding those emotions doesn’t come easy. Tate has had to practice relentlessly for a spot in this year’s cast of “Grease,” as well as tolerating the competition that comes with being part of YPAS.
“It’s really hard, especially in YPAS,” Tate said. “I love each and every one of them dearly, but that doesn’t stop from us comparing and competing with each other.”
To improve her skills, Tate participates in public speaking classes, often partaking in Shakespeare conventions and other speech and debate competitions.
“Last year, I was in the English Speaking Union. I performed a monologue and a sonnet from Shakespeare and I won for Manual and the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Tate said.
Above all, Manual has had a profound impact on Tate’s high school experience.
Tate is enrolled in four YPAS classes, including playwriting and directing. To her surprise, the class has opened her mind to the different aspects of the theater. Instead of thinking of theater as simply saying lines on stage, she has learned to see a bigger picture. For example, how audience perception and listenership are impacted by small choices like annunciation and stage setup.
“Over the past four years, my confidence has increased,” Tate said. “The feeling of accomplishment from being accepted into “Grease” was so gratifying.”
Her hard work and Manual’s opportunities have provided Tate with the chance to pursue her goals in the future. She hopes to double major in theater and animal science at the University of Kentucky next year.
“I’ve grown a lot as a person and I’m so happy for my experiences here,” Tate said.
