Gabriel McDerment, an alum of Braden River High School, is set to unveil his original musical, “Acceptance Pending,” at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The musical, born out of McDerment’s experiences navigating the stressful college admissions process, explores themes of mental health and self-acceptance. After pouring two years of creative effort into its composition, McDerment’s musical is poised to make its debut on August 27-28 as part of the festival’s student program.
As a high school senior in 2021, Gabriel McDerment faced a barrage of stress and anxiety, navigating the intricate web of college applications. His journey involved applying to 14 universities, predominantly Ivy League institutions, with aspirations that echoed the caliber of his chosen schools. The constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic added an extra layer of pressure, as university admissions took a hit.
In an attempt to process his emotions and confront the challenges of the college admission process, McDerment, now a junior at New York University, turned to a familiar creative outlet: musical theater.
“I always felt that musical theater had a power to explore the human condition deeper than an individual song,” shared McDerment, emphasizing the nuanced storytelling capabilities of the medium. “As a composer, I felt I could do more with a section of songs built on characters that I felt I had a relationship with.”
After laboring for two years at New York University to compose nine songs and develop characters for his creation, “Acceptance Pending,” McDerment felt ready to share his musical with the world.
The musical, centered around the character Andrea, delves into the pressures of applying for college, the suspense of waiting for results, and the emotional responses to rejection. By addressing themes of mental health and emotional resilience, “Acceptance Pending” encapsulates the emotional landscape of college-bound students.
The inspiration behind the narrative was deeply personal. McDerment’s experiences and emotions during the college admissions process informed the development of his characters. The musical aims to present an alternative perspective on mental health by acknowledging the uncertainties and vulnerabilities that individuals face.
While the musical signifies a journey of self-discovery for McDerment, the path to its premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival hasn’t been without challenges. McDerment has found support through the festival’s student program, which has offered resources to navigate the intricacies of producing a musical.
In addition to his role as the director, McDerment will also perform in the musical as the sole instrumentalist, playing piano and guitar. As the anticipation builds towards the festival, McDerment acknowledges the vulnerability that comes with sharing his work on such a prominent stage.
While the Edinburgh Fringe Festival provides a moment of closure, McDerment recognizes that his introspection on the college admission process might not conclude there. As he contemplates applying for graduate school, he seeks to apply the lessons he’s learned to alleviate future anxieties.
Ultimately, “Acceptance Pending” stands as a testament to McDerment’s growth and creative evolution. Reflecting on the transformation his music and perspective have undergone, McDerment highlights the importance of acknowledging emotions and embracing the human experience, even within the confines of challenging situations.
