May 2025: The annual Bach, Rock, and Shakespeare music and fashion showcase took place at the Greek Theatre to an enthusiastic. There were several showcases all led by John Marshall Teachers and students. From a battle of the bands which multiple different bands played for a panel of judges, to snippets of Shakespeare play, and a jazz band performance. But there was also a fashion show. The fashion show was “Hunger Games” themed and featured many different designers most of whom were wearing the outfits that they themselves made. From the seats of the Greek it was great, beautiful outfits and a well choreographed and themed show made it very fun to watch. But what was it like to be the people behind the stage? We asked Ryden Robledo, a senior at Marshall who walked the stage for the first time this may. 

Ryden explained to me that there was a few hours of practice that took place before the show, a rehearsal event to make sure everyone was prepared for the real thing. By the time they got back to the venue around 6pm things got very hectic. 

As Ryden put it, “There were designers making last minute alterations, models putting on makeup and practicing their walks, dance and music scenes cycling in and out, security guards at the door, and teachers trying to navigate the crowd.”

For the people in the stands what seemed like a smooth operation was really a hectic race to be prepared for the show. “That’s part of what makes it so fun,” Ryden said, “the rush to get everything done before having to perform.”

Eventually it was Ryden’s turn to walk, he had spent hours preparing and it was leading up to these 20 seconds of walking. He said, “The walk happened so quickly that I felt as if I had run across the stage” and continued, “I could see any faces in the crowd when I saw the giant light fixtures aimed at me.” He described it finally as “all a blur”. 

In a final statement Ryden told me that “It was a great experience and definitely gets you to push your boundaries and creativity.”