I became an SM completely by chance.
I started acting at age six (I showed no talent in it but loved it anyway) but stopped once I got to middle school. After running cross country and realizing I was awful at that too, I decided to try out for the drama club. I made all four shows I tried out for in seventh and eighth grade, and the fall show of my eighth grade year I was asked to be the Stage Manager. Obviously, stage management in middle school is pretty lame and nonexistent, and I finished the show having no idea what I was actually supposed to have done.
Anyway, when I got to HS I went to the first drama meeting and, after the meeting regarding auditions ended, stuck around to chat with an old friend from middle school. Coincidentally, the meeting about the crews had begun and, not wanting to be rude, I sat back down. Our SM, a senior at the time, asked during the meeting if any freshmen or sophomore had ever SMed before. I raised my hand and she asked my to stay after. So I did and she asked if I would like to be her Production Asst. and I agreed, not knowing what a PA was and what an SM actually did.
After that first show though, I was hooked. Now I'm one of the three SMs in the club and work with three other companies throughout the year. It's so weird how five minutes completely changed my life, and I am so glad it did

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