2023: Not Throwing Away My Shot: Scrapbooking My Hamilton Experience
This spread captures the incredible day I went with a group of high school students to see Hamilton: An American Musical in Oklahoma City. We were way up in the nosebleeds—only two rows from the very back—but that didn’t diminish the excitement. From the moment we stepped into the theater, it felt like we were in “the room where it happens.”
Hamilton is a revolutionary Broadway production that reimagines the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers. Written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it combines hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical theater styles to tell the story of an immigrant who “got a lot farther by working a lot harder.” Its themes of ambition, legacy, and the power of storytelling resonated deeply with us, and the performance left us all feeling like we could “rise up” and make a difference in the world.
Revisiting this experience through scrapbooking was just as thrilling as the day itself. I carefully chose a background paper that matched the iconic gold, black, and brown palette of the musical, tying it together with the program and postcard I purchased at the gift shop. Using Cricut Design Space, I created the layout, cutting the main brown matting across a 12 by 24 mat so it could span both pages. The graphics, including the Hamilton silhouette with the words “Not Throwing Away My Shot,” were purchased on Etsy, and were drawn with my Cricut Maker’s pen feature and serve as focal points on the spread.
Since photos during the play weren’t allowed, I included pictures of the theater exterior and one of the banners hanging outside. To make the banner photo work, I trimmed it down to just two inches wide. The ticket, showing the date, time, and location, is prominently displayed, along with the program. The program itself had a unique flaw—its ink hadn’t dried properly when handed out, leaving fingerprints (some likely mine!) all over it. To preserve it, I attached it under the plastic page protector, allowing it to be safely removed and read if desired.
One of my favorite elements on this spread is the thin black line moving across both pages and ending in a circle near the silhouette of Hamilton. This subtle touch references the “bullet,” a recurring and poignant symbol in the musical representing fate and the inevitability of choices. It’s a detail I added for fans of Hamilton who will recognize its significance. So that I don’t create a spoiler moment, if you want to learn more about the bullet motif in Hamilton scroll past the video below.
This project took about two and a half hours to design and assemble, and I loved every minute of it. If you’d like to see how it came together, check out the video below. Scrapbooking this experience truly reminded me of the musical’s message: “History has its eyes on you,” and it’s worth capturing the moments that matter.
The “bullet” in Hamilton: An American Musical is a subtle yet powerful piece of symbolism woven into the choreography and storytelling. Portrayed by an ensemble cast member, the bullet represents fate, mortality, and the inevitability of death, particularly in Alexander Hamilton’s life. Throughout the musical, the “bullet” character interacts with pivotal moments of danger, often foreshadowing deaths or significant turning points. For instance, the character is seen physically embodying bullets during duels or moments of conflict, moving through the air in slow motion to heighten the drama and impact. In the final duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr, the bullet’s presence takes on profound meaning, as it represents not only Hamilton’s literal death but also the culmination of his choices, legacy, and the consequences of ambition. This creative device adds depth to the narrative, underscoring the fragility of life and the lasting impact of decisions.
MASCrapping 