From Strangers to Friends: A Musical About Finding Your Place at Waterloo
Duration: ~60 minutes | Location: Humanities Theatre
To Be Honest ‘The Musical’ is the University of Waterloo’s Orientation production designed to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and empowering environment that supports students’ academic and social success. The year-at-a-glance musical, with an all-student cast, addresses key student experiences such as homesickness, mental wellness, academic integrity, consent, and more. With a focus on building community, promoting resilience, and raising awareness of campus resources, the play brings to life institutional goals and frameworks like the Okanagan Charter, WatSEE, and the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce. Through uplifting performances, it aims to create a sense of belonging, empower students to advocate for themselves, and celebrate the diversity and values that define the University of Waterloo.
TBH Recording Coming Soon!
Auditions
To Be Honest holds open auditions every Winter semester, typically in late February or early March. Keep an eye out for audition posters around campus or check the WUSA website for the latest updates. All students are encouraged to participate—we welcome individuals from all faculties and aim to reflect the rich diversity of our campus community.
About the Show
To Be Honest: The Musical follows a year in the life of Waterloo students and dives into real topics like homesickness, consent, academic pressure, imposter syndrome, and the challenges of finding your place in a new environment.Written and performed by UWaterloo students and alumni, this orientation experience aims to spark reflection, build resilience, and connect students with community and resources.
All performances will be held in the Humanities Theatre. Admission is free; RSVP is required for ticketed events.
Premiere Performances
Date | Time | Recommended Audience |
---|---|---|
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 3:00pm | AFIW & Campus Housing (Dons and staff) |
Thursday, August 28, 2025 | 3:00pm | Campus Community (staff, faculty, cast family and friends, open invitation to community and partners/stakeholders) |
Friday, August 29, 2025 | 7:00pm | Orientation Leaders & Off-Campus Dons |
Orientation Performances
Orientation performances are assigned by Faculty. Tickets are not required for students attending orientation performances. Admission is free.
Due to space constraints, these shows are restricted to the audience listed below.
Date | Time | Recommended Audience |
---|---|---|
Monday, September 1, 2025 | 7:00pm | Engineering, Software Engineering, and Architecture Faculties – New students |
Monday, September 1, 2025 | 8:45pm | Science & Health Faculties – New students |
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | 7:00pm | Arts, Environment, and SFM Faculties– New students |
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | 8:45pm | Math & CFM Faculty – New students |
We’re excited to announce that all performances are returning to the Humanities Theatre!
Campus Resources and Services
- Campus Wellness
- Counselling Services
- Mates Peer Support
- AccessAbility Services
- Student Success Office
- Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office
- Academic Integrity Office
- WUSA Resources
- WUSA
- Athletics and Recreation
- Multi-Faith & Spirituality Resource Team
- Campus Housing
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R)
- Indigenous Relations
- Center for Career Development
- The Centre
- Sustainability Office
- International Experience Centre
- Wellness Programs and Student Groups
- UWaterloo Life
- Portal
- Emergency Notifications
- Waterloo Values
- W Store
Cast and Crew
Cast
Paula Bornacelli (she/her) as Jessica
Alumnus, Faculty of Arts — Arts & Business, Theatre Major, Communications Minor
Paula Bornacelli (she/her) is a recent UWaterloo graduate earning a bachelors of arts studying Theatre and Performance, Arts and Business, and minor in Communication Studies. With Paula’s most recent acting credit in UWaterloo’s Theatre department: Upstart 2025 – Utopia, she is excited to return to TBH for the second time as a performer. Paula would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her journey in the arts and thank Amanda Kind for her insurmountable work and support on the show since 2022.
Rowyn Grenier (she/her) as Grace
Rowyn Grenier (she/her) is grateful to have the opportunity to share this story with you today. She is a fourth year music student at Laurier, and former graduate of RCPA in Toronto, with a passion for singing and storytelling. Whether you relate to Grace or have a Grace in your life, Rowyn hopes she can make you laugh and empathize with this first year. Rowyn would like to thank the entire Cast and Creative team for integrating her into the show with compassion and enthusiasm! Please laugh, clap, cry, cheer along and enjoy TBH!
Arelia Lorgulescu (she/her) as Akasha
Faculty of Science — Science and Business Program
Arelia Iorgulescu (she/her) is in term 2A of Science and Business and is so glad to be one of the TBH cast members this year! She has been pretty involved with SBSA (Science and Business Student Association), and she’s looking forward to seeing all the new and familiar faces at the shows!!
Zoe Kwong (she/her) as Heather
Faculty of Engineering — Systems Design Engineering Program
Zoe Kwong (she/her/they) is in SYDE (Systems Design Engineering) and just finished her first year here at UW! She’s been involved in Concert Band as a percussionist and in the Musical Interdudes Acapella group, but this is her first experience with a full musical production 😀 Encouraging everyone to keep a good work-life balance, she hopes you all explore the clubs here, like UWHipHop, Rock Climbing, and even Cheese Club! Zoe wishes everyone a great year, and to have fun / don’t stress too much!!
Linus Ma (he/him) as Curtis
Faculty of Arts — Psychology and Theatre & Performance Programs
Linus Ma (He/ Him) will be going into his fourth year of university as an Honours Arts Co-op double major in Psychology and Theatre & Performance. This is Linus’ first proper musical after starting his singing journey earlier this year, and he is very excited to play Curtis! He has performed in straight plays such as Romeo & Juliet (KWLT) and Portia’s Julius Caesar (UW).
Kylie McCracken (she/they) as Sam
Faculty of Environment — Environment Resources and Sustainability Program
Kylie McCracken (she/her) is a 4th year student studying Environment, Resources and Sustainability! During her time at Waterloo she has had the chance to be a part of many acapella teams through the UW Acapella Club (Shoutout Waterboys!!) This is her first time being involved in TBH but can’t wait for everyone to see this amazing show, and a big thank you to the amazing cast and crew who made this show all come together!! <3
Phoenix Rogoz (any) as Dani
Faculty of Arts — Honours Arts, Psychology major, Anthropology minor
Phoenix Rogoz (any pronouns) is an Honours Arts Co-op student entering their fourth year at UWaterloo, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Anthropology. Prior to university, Phoenix found their place on the stage in various choirs, middle & high school productions and improv competitions. Phoenix performed in TBH is 2023 and is very excited to be returning to the role of Dani!
Cohen van Zuilen (he/him) as Nick
Faculty of Environment — Geography Program
Cohen van Zuilen (he/him) is a 2nd year student in the Geography and Aviation program. He is currently working towards his Private Pilot’s License as well as a degree in Environmental Studies. This is his first professional acting performance but was a member of KW Glee in years prior. He’d like to thank Amanda Kind (director) for inviting him to tryout and is excited to be in this year’s rendition of TBH.
Crew
Amanda Kind (she/her) – Director & Lead Script Writer
Monica Durlak (she/her) – Assistant Director & Stage Manager
Paula Bornacelli (she/her) – Dance Captain & Marketing Coordinator
Fiona Lehmann (she/her) – Choreographer
Carlos Fernandez (he/him) – Technical Coordinator
Katie Hickey (she/they) – Lighting Designer
Rafik Alsamkary (he/him) – Sound Designer
Keri Bailey (she/they) – Crew
Jaryn Sunga (he/him) – Apprentice Stage Manager
Sam Hillifer (he/him) & Noah Stolee (he/him) – TBH Interludes
Garret Titus (he/him) – Script Consultant
Areebah Akhtar (she/her) & Cece Ndiwa (she/her) – Photographers, WUSA
Miho Nagayama (she/her) – Creative Lead, WUSA
Sonia Tessaro (she/her) – Marketing Specialist, WUSA
Producers
Sandra Gibson (she/her), Manager, Health Education and Promotion, Campus Wellness, University of Waterloo
Becky Wroe (she/her), Orientation & Member Transitions Manager, Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association
Director
Amanda Kind (she/her)
Amanda Kind (she/her) is a singer, songwriter, actor, director, and voice teacher (commercial music, musical theatre). She is a proud alumnus of University of Waterloo and Conrad Grebel University. Director credits: TBH, Rent, Spring Awakening, Broadway Our Way, and more. Performer credits: Drowsy Chaperone (Drowsy), Into The Woods (Witch), Masterclass (Sophie), Death of a Salesman (Woman from Boston), Anne of Green Gables (Miss Stacey), Annie (Miss Hannigan), The Telephone (Lucy), and more. As a teacher, Amanda works with professional singers, indie artists, and aspiring young performers in many genres. She teaches commercial voice at Wilfrid Laurier University and is the Artistic Director of Pop Nation Canada. Her work in the arts community has garnered her a Waterloo Region Arts Award, the Rogers Television Woman of the Year Award, and recognition as one of the region’s Top 40 Under 40. Amanda has recorded and released many songs including Slow Dance (#1 on SiriusXM Top of the Country), “Another Round” with James Downham, and many more. She is half of the CMA Ontario-nominated country duo Amanda & James. Learn more about her at Home or Amanda & James .
Director’s Note
Welcome to TBH: To Be Honest – The Musical! We’re so glad you’re here. Starting university is a wild ride – new place, new people, new pressures. Between figuring out friendships, navigating academics, building relationships, and managing the demands of expectations (your own and everyone else’s), it can feel overwhelming. TBH dives into all of that with heart, humour, and honesty to help first-year students feel seen, supported, and set up for success.
The show explores experiences that are totally normal but often not talked about because they can be awkward, uncomfortable, or just plain hard. We touch on big feelings: anxiety of moving away from home, trying to make friends, feeling unprepared or unworthy, dealing with academic stress, and figuring out who you are in the middle of all of it. It’s a lot, but you can do it.
And the best part? It’s a musical – so we tackle all this real-life stuff with awesome songs, high-energy dancing, and a whole lot of fun.
Each year, we work with an incredible team of student performers, campus groups, and university departments to make sure the show reflects a range of perspectives and stays relevant to the real lives of today’s students. Our goal is for every audience member to walk away feeling a little more connected, a little more empowered, and a little more ready to make the most of their university experience.
The title song, TBH: To Be Honest, kicks off the show and gives voice to the hopes, fears, and uncertainties that come with starting something new. The original cast and I created the lyrics together through open conversation. We pulled out words and phrases that captured how it really feels to step into the unknown for the first time at university, and from that, the music and the show began to take shape.
Last year, we were honoured to receive the prestigious Innovative Program Award from NODA Region VII. NODA is the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education and Region VII includes institutions in Ontario, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio). We are proud to have this show recognized for its impact.
Thanks so much for joining us! We hope you laugh, learn, and have a little fun along the way. Instead of sitting through a PowerPoint packed with slides, we are going to entertain you while helping you get to know UWaterloo a little better. If you take just one thing from this show, let it be this: You belong here, and support is always available. You might not remember every department, support network or campus club we mention in this show, but remember to reach out when you need help. We’re here to help you thrive. Enjoy the show … Go Warriors!
— Amanda Kind, TBH Director & Script Writer
UW Alumni, Honours BA, 2006
TBH: To Be Honest – Lyrics
Verse 1
Everything feels like it’s moving so fast
Can’t keep up but I can’t go back
Away from my small town for the first time
On my own, leaving home, hope I get it right
Pre-Chorus
Who am I? Who do they want me to be?
Who am I? Do I even know me?
Chorus
To be honest, I don’t know
Exactly how this is gonna go
To be honest, I’m a bit of a mess
I don’t have it figured out just yet
But I’m trying, redefining
Stumbling to find my way
To be honest, I’m afraid
Hope everything’ll be okay
TBH
Verse 2
Waves of anxiety come and they go
Scroll through my phone, breathe, and try to cope
Wondering if I fit into this crowd
Are you new? Yeah me too? Are we friends now?
Bridge
Excited, nervous, feeling the pressure, can I keep it together?
Where am I going? Feel like I should know this.
Am I good enough? I wanna be good enough.
Final Chorus
To be honest, I don’t know… [Repeat]
🎵 Now streaming! Listen and download the original TBH: To Be Honest song at: Spotify or Apple Music.
Campus Partners
Thank you to our campus partners for their support and collaboration in bringing To Be Honest to life. Your contributions—whether through resources, expertise, or encouragement—play a vital role in the success of this production. We are grateful for your commitment to fostering creativity and community at University of Waterloo: Waterloo Orientation, Student Success Office, WUSA, Campus Housing, Campus Wellness, W Store, and the 1000+ student volunteers who make Orientation possible!
Thank you to the W Store for providing a discount on the cast costumes. Check your Orientation kits for your own discount coupon under campus partners.
Evaluation & Recap
We’d love your feedback!
Now that you’ve experienced To Be Honest: The Musical, the production team would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Please scan the QR code to complete a short survey — it should only take 3–5 minutes.
Your feedback will help shape future New Student Orientation performances.
Thank you, and have a great semester!