When I was in high school, theatre was my everything. My directors insisted that I was a "student of theatre" not a "theatre kid," but let's be honest, I was a theatre kid all the way. I was absolutely obsessed and never missed a chance to be a part of a show whether I was acting, helping out with tech, or stage managing. I fell in love with every aspect of theatre, good and bad. There's a culture that comes along with being in theatre and there are certain things that all theatre kids know to be true.
Hell Week
Otherwise known as tech week or the week before the show opens. It's that crazy, hectic time where you don't see the sunlight for a week, you cry a lot, and you freak out because the show isn't ready yet.
Theatre vs. Theater
The most annoying thing about being a theatre kid is when non-theatre kids use the wrong spelling of the word. Let me break it down for those who don't know. Theatre is the art form. Theater is the building.
Pre cast list posting anxiety
You spend hours stressing out because what if you don't get your dream role? Maybe if you had just done that one thing better in the audition, you could've gotten the part you wanted. Meanwhile, you just have to eat chocolate and do jazz squares to calm down before they post the list. Speaking of which, what the hell is taking so long?!
Spending more time learning lines than doing your homework
Your directors will tell you that school comes first but we all know they're wrong. Theatre is love. Theatre is life. Also, you just finished blocking, lines are due by Monday, and your director loves cutting people, so this is no time for homework.
Everyone will tell you the "secret trick" to memorizing lines
Every single person has their own unique way of learning lines and they love to share it with others. I've heard a million "secret tricks" to learning lines and for the most part, they never work. You just have to learn lines the way you're most comfortable with.
You turn up by listening to musical soundtracks
There is no better turn up than a musical turn up. How can you not get emotional while jamming out to "Hamilton," "Into the Woods," "Chicago," "Book of Mormon," and all of the other great broadway shows? Who needs Drake when you have Sondheim?
You randomly quote obscure lines from shows
It doesn't matter how long it's been since you've seen the show or were in the show, you will randomly remember lines during conversations with other people. You can't help blurting them out either, and if the person you're talking to isn't a theatre kid, they just won't understand.
That one kid
Every theatre department and theatre company has one. It's that one kid. They're hard to describe but when you see it, you know it's them, whether they're the diva, the really strange person who you suspect might have killed someone, or the kid who clearly is being forced to live out their parents' dreams.
Backstage drama
It's essentially "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" meets "Real Housewives." You say you hate it but on some strange level, you can't get enough. If you're not involved in it, all you can really do is make some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show.
Theatre is the best decision you ever made
Theatre is stressful, crazy, and weird, but you wouldn't have it any other way. It's where the best memories are made and where you can truly be yourself (while pretending to be someone else on stage).
If it weren't for theatre, I wouldn't be the person I am today. So take me for what I am. I have a little razzle dazzle, I choose to let my freak flag fly, and I defy gravity.
