12 Things I Learned From Theater

1. How To Make Decisions

In theater you need to make strong choices. They may not always work, but they will always be better than just flopping around.

2.How to Take Constructive Criticism

People will tell you what they didn't like. They will tell you what pulled them out of the scene. People will do that in life, too. They will tell you what they didn't like about a presentation. They will tell you that you didn't get the job because of this or that. Take it and run with it. However...

3. Stay True to You

There is a limit. Don't change everything just because one person doesn't like it. If you like it, do it. It doesn't matter what they think. Ultimately it's your life to live.

4. How to Be Empathetic

You learn to accept other people. You learn to understand where people come from. it may not always be a good reason or acceptable, but it opens your mind. Sometimes, especially in this day and age, we need that empathy to move day to day.

5. There Are Two Sides of Every Story

Take "Wicked". We all know about the Wizard of Oz; we all know Dorothy's backstory. In this musical, we learn about Elphaba's. We are given a better insight into this world, and it changes our perspective so much.

6.Specificity is Key

SPECIFICS PEOPLE. Be specific in your goals. Be specific in what your want. If you want your eggs scrambled at IHOP, tell them. If you want a raise at work tell them how much. Things get mushy when you aren't specific- and no one likes mushy things. Especially mushy eggs.

7.How to Speak Your Mind

Now. I will admit that this isn't necessarily a good thing. There have been plenty of times my big mouth has gotten me in trouble. However, I have also gained so much more in my life from speaking out when I felt I was done wrong, or even when I had a different opinion from someone else.

8.How to Work With No Money

If you couldn't guess, being an actor is not a well paying job-unless you make it to the big leagues. There will be plenty of times in life where knowing how to gaff tape something back together will save your life; at least for a little while.

9.How to Collaborate

There is no way you are going to get through life without meeting and creating new things in life. You will never move forward in your job without it. You will never move forward culturally without collaborating with others and expanding your mindset.

10.You Don't Have to Always be Happy

I, personally, have always felt like I needed to be happy and positive as an actor. I mean we have an easy, fun, job right? Except I'm still human, and despite what everyone believes it isn't all fun and games. There is, in fact, a lot of hard work that gets put into plays, movies, TV shows.

11.How to Find My Light

If you want to be scene on stage, you better stand in the light. You have to be the one to find your light. The world can only create it, it's your job to fill the space and be seen.

12. You Need To Be Flexible

Sometimes you find your light to soon, or too late. Just be confident it's going to come back. You need to be able to move around and work with people. Sometimes the best way to be seen is with someone else. It's not always ideal, but it'll make everything 10 times more amazing. You just gotta go with the flow.