On Monday I had my first last show with the Peapod Squad. In the events email that Clark sends out, the name of our event was “The Peapod Squad Presents: That One Sad Vitamin C Song”. You know, the really cheesy one about saying goodbye and being friends forever? Although we chose for the theme to be around that song mostly ironically (because though it may be catchy, it’s pretty dated and not actually that good), the concept of the song was actually pretty relevant.
My absolute favorite part of our shows is the very beginning. While everyone files into the theater, our playlist of the Squad’s favorite songs is blasted over the speakers while we warm up somewhere else. Pre-show warmups are very near and dear to our hearts and highly traditionalized, 
with lots of yelling, clapping and singing, culminating in a Wu-Tang Clan-like chant-fest. Running out in front of the audience before the show is incredibly surreal; the Squad is yelling because we’re so excited to do a show, and the audience is yelling because they’re so excited for the show, and it’s such an incredible, happy moment. Monday’s show was in Atwood Hall (If you came to any of the admitted students days, that’s the big theater you sat in to have your welcome message), and running out from behind the curtain to see that so many people had come to our last show almost brought me to tears.
We had three seniors on with us this year, and so the show was very focused around them. The seniors picked all their favorite games, including a singing game (The Peapod Squad, might I remind you, is a singing improv group!) and a game where people get slapped when they make the audience laughed, and at the end, all played a traditional game that we start and end every year with that involves buckets of water. It’s very messy.
I would say that, without a doubt, Monday’s show was my favorite show that I’ve done with the Peapod Squad. It didn’t really feel like a show at all, but rather laughing and being silly on stage with six of my closest friends. Although I’m so sad to see our seniors go, I feel really happy that I could share that last show with them.
The Peapod Squad’s last show really made me look back and see how far I’ve come since the beginning of the year, and how incredibly grateful I am to be here, and for the struggles that got me where I am. I’m really disappointed that I won’t have the chance to improvise for the next few months, but I know that, come fall, I’ll be back with my friends again, doing what I love. (Photos taken by the very talented Celine Manneville!)
