We all know one. The person who bursts into song at the most inconvenient moments, the person that laughs louder than everyone else, the one that is always jumping around: the theatre kid. Some people may think they're annoying, but here's a couple of reasons why you should consider (if you haven't already) befriend that theatre person.
1. They will make a huge deal about everything you do.
Actors will always make a huge deal about the things you do, because they’re used to expressing their emotions on a larger scale (so the last row can see what they’re doing). So, whether it’s something as big as your birthday or just a good grade, you can always count on a very energetic “Congratulations!” from your theatre friend.
2. They’re an instant pick-me-up.
Theatre friends are very attentive to detail, because they have been trained to observe so they can create something out of their discoveries. This means that if they even sense that you’re a bit upset, they know exactly what to do to cheer you up.
3. They’re not afraid of doing embarrassing stuff with you.
Because they are used to having people stare at them (and they absolutely love it), they don’t care if people make fun of them. So, if you’re in the middle of an awkward situation, they’ll always have your back so you won’t be alone. When there are two people doing something embarrassing, it stops being embarrassing. Think about it.
4. They’re very unpredictable.
Another interesting fact about theatre friends is their unpredictability. They are trained to act on different situations under different circumstances, so what they do will never be consistent. In other words, you will never know how they will react to a situation (even if you’ve presented them a similar one before). We’ll blame it on the improv classes they’re taking.
5. They usually have a reason for everything they do.
Part of being an actor, director, or designer is the ability to justify every action they make. In the theatre there is never “Just ‘cause,” every person working in theatre must give a valid explanation for what they are doing. Therefore, when you ask your friend why they are behaving the way they are, there’s a 99.99% you’ll get a straight up answer.
6. They know exactly what to say and when to say it.
Theatre people tend to know every cue in every show they’ve performed in. Therefore, when it comes to real life, they know exactly when and what to say in most situations. They’ll make sure that they get the proper reaction from you with the way they organize their thoughts and how they express them. You’ll really feel the love.
7. They’re the perfect partners for an oral presentation.
Afraid of doing a 15 minute-long oral presentation? No worries! Your theatre friend is used to being in the spotlight for about 3 hours per show. They will always have your back when you get stuck in that pesky PowerPoint slide that has way too many bullet points. Not only will they help you out, they will stall whatever time is necessary for you to meet the proper time limit.
8. You will never have a problem understanding what they are saying.
Articulation is one of the biggest and most important skills an actor must have. Therefore, when you need to communicate with your friend, you will always know what they are saying (even if they’re just mouthing the words). You’ll appreciate not having to ask them to repeat, and they’ll appreciate being heard.
9. They're not clingy.
Because theatre is a very dedicated and time-consuming career, this type of friend will never hover over you. They have a lot on their plate, and they know that. But what makes them super special is that although they have a lot of commitments, they will always find the time to talk to you and to be there for you whenever you need them. They tend to have great time management skills, so they got your back.
10. They will always push you to be better.
People that work in theatre are used to having their limits tested so they can achieve much more than what they expected. Therefore, when it comes to their friends, theatre people tend to push their friends as well. They want to see you do your best and, if they think you’re not giving it all, they will motivate you until you get what you deserve. You’ll feel invincible and super proud about yourself, all thanks to that one pesky friend that believed in you.
