Tommy McCarthy's Senior Showcase
"Friendship"
thetommymccarthy.com
Notes from the Program:
Fun fact: I think in song; however, I do not think in original songs (written by me), but in songs I’ve heard before. Every time I am thinking of a song, it somehow ends up applying to the situation I’m in whether the song was written for that purpose or not. I decided to use my constant radio brain as a vehicle in this showcase. Most of what you will see today are scenes or songs taken out of context of its respective show. That’s what is beautiful about art; it can speak in different ways to different people no matter gender, race or background.
Today I will be using that idea of thinking in songs to tell a story of my experience with friendships. I will be taking scenes and songs from movies, musicals, and plays to go through the different stages of friendship I have found myself in often. This may be your experience with friendships, it may not, but this is mine. You will find my different stages of friendship and some notes about them as you peruse this program.
First Meeting 0:18
Whenever I meet new people, I am never the first one to start a conversation. If someone talks to me first, I can make that conversation go on forever, but I never initiate the conversation when around a new person.
Building Friendship 1:45
It’s always a great feeling when I find out that a person that could be a potential friend has many interests in common with me. Sharing interests and hobbies have been some of the building blocks of great friendships.
Perfect Friendship 2:37
There is always a time in the friendship when everything is perfect. There is no conflict, and I get the hint that we will always be there for each other.
Obsession 7:40
I tend to like the “perfect friendship” stage so much that I end of idolizing the friendship to the point of obsession. I want to keep the friendship in a small box so I can preserve it, but it ends up suffocating it.
Being Replaced 9:40
This is the stage where I realize that there are other people in my friend’s life; people that may be more important in my friend’s life than I am. I start thinking, “Are they annoyed of me? Did they find someone else? Is this friendship more important to me than it is to them?”
Abandonment 14:07
There comes a time during each friendship when there is a feeling of abandonment and loneliness due to busy schedules, other people, etc. Sometimes I would rather give excuses or go hide; this song portrays it well.
Miscommunication 19:13
When schedules get too busy or when we just don’t see each other for I while, there ends up being a stage of miscommunication. It can create frustration and lead to anger.
Anger 20:11
In any relationship, conflict of any kind is inevitable. The conflict can end in may ways; it can strengthen the relationship, end the friendship, or it can continue unresolved leaving both people wondering where they stand in the relationship.
Running Away 25:28
When people think of this song, they mainly think of how the accompaniment is just a cup. I take a different approach because I have learned that dance can be another vehicle to express emotion. But this song usually gets in my head during the stage where I feel like running away and leaving the situation. There is always an underlying hope that they would miss me if I left, hoping I had some kind of impact on their life.
Realization of Community 28:19
This song is close to my heart because Into the Woods is one of my favorite productions I have been part of. It also is what reminds me that I am never actually alone. God is always with me and shows me that there are people always there for me.
Change of Perspective 31:37
Over these past few years, I have noticed the cycle my friendships go through and I brought the issue to God. He showed me that I can’t try to control things by myself. I have changed my approach to friendships. Now my friendships are stronger than ever. I thank God for all of the important people in my life.
This showcase was performed October 3, 2018. This showcase was given as an elective performance independent of degree requirements.
Credits at end of video 35:35