As an actor/actress, we often come across more struggles than we anticipate. These are struggles that every actor goes through at some point in their careers. There are a few actors who are lucky enough to not encounter all of these obstacles, but actors tend to find themselves in these predicaments more than once. There are a few actor stereotypes mentioned in this list, but the variety of actors is an encyclopedia all on it's own. From having to explain theatrical terminology to non-actors a million times, to not being able to remember the simplest line, actors have learned the struggle is REAL. Through the chaos and triumphs, actors dedicate themselves to the audience. An actor's job is to tell a story that was scripted, but the rehearsal stories are something the audience will never see. Actors may put on a fantastic show for their audience, but rehearsals are everything but pretty. Not to mention the millions of insiders that a cast has. But, without these struggles, life would be just TOO easy.

1. "I can't; I have rehearsal."

When you commit to any performing art, you commit social-life-suicide. There is absolutely no time to sit and chat, because you spend every waking moment memorizing lines and rehearsing.

2. "WHY CAN'T I REMEMBER THIS LINE"

Nothing is more annoying than not being able to memorize a few lines. It happens all the time. No matter how much you rehearse that one stupid line, you cannot get a hold on it. But, you can remember soliloquies and monologues from years ago. You don't know stress until you experience this OCD mess.

3. "Potato, Potahto"

There is always going to be someone who is so strict on the use of the spelling of this art. With much research, the real difference in the spelling is the origin. Just like the word color/colour or favorite/favourite, theater is used in American writing, and theatre is used in European writing. There is no real distinctive difference other than this. Sometimes, theatre is used in more formal speaking, and that is okay, but there is no difference in the meaning of the word. Sorry, if your are dead-set on thinking there is a difference.

4. Drama in Drama

Being stuck with the same group of people under hot lights during long rehearsals is bound to bring out the worst in people. So, there is literally drama in drama. Which is beyond annoying, because drama is supposed to be an art, not sweaty arguments.

5. "Wait, the show's over?"

Rehearsals take months, and seem never ending, to the point which you wish the stress was over. But, once that final bow is taken on closing night, the whole show is over. During a performance, an actor's adrenaline is pumping; the show is over in the blink of an eye. Dress rehearsals even seem forever. But, now the show is over and the actor wishes it wasn't.

6. "What Does This Even Mean?"

As an actor, there will always be lines that make absolutely no sense. Usually, they're in Shakespeare, I must admit. BUT, THANK GOD FOR "NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE"!!!! Only after the show is over do you finally realize what the line is supposed to mean. Oh, well.

7. The Slackers!

Nothing is absolutely more irritating then the students (in a drama class) that just sit there and do absolutely NOTHING! You are in the class to be interactive. Within those slackers, there are the ones who claim to be a theater nerd, but NEVER LEARN THEIR LINES, even when it is a simple improvisation scene. Just leave if you aren't going to be serious to save the rest of us some stress.

9. Paint EVERYWHERE

Only the actors who want to experience everything the drama department get this, as well as the ones who want to really dedicate themselves to the play and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. Tech week involves an excessive amount of painting. Whether you are careful and have extra clothing, paint seems to get in every crevice. Everyone asks why you're covered in paint, why every pair of your pants and every pair of shoes have paint on them. There are two words to explain this annoyance...tech week.

10. The one who ALWAYS breaks out in song

Their are always the group of actors who are more than willing to show off their vocal range. Almost every word that comes out of their mouth is in song. You actually start to hate them for it... until you catch yourself doing the same.

11. Aching Feet

I always say, "If your feet don't hurt, you're doing theater wrong." This is because of all the walking and the hours of standing. From getting makeup, hair, costumes, and the stage ready, to the notes from the director after the show (and on closing night after strike), we are always standing. We are running backstage and rehearsing lines. We want to sit, but the adrenaline will just not allow it.

12. Bodily Functions

Dusty props and bright lights make it impossible to hold in a sneeze. On stage, we have to stay in character and backstage, we have to be super quiet, but if you're like me, it's almost impossible. From loud burps, coughs, and sneezes, the audience will probably hear them all. Actors are humans, too! But, the worst part is when the WHOLE cast is sick. The gallons of pineapple juice, medicine, and millions of cough drops can not contain having to sneak off stage to have a coughing fit.

13. "What's blocking?"

Complaining to non-actors is so annoying! They don't know our vocabulary, so complaining the whole second half of the play is not blocked and opening night is in a week, is a constant complaint. But, everyone will always just shake their heads, as if they understand, when you know they don't. Then, they ask, "What is blocking?" And no, I will not even explain in this article.

14. "Good Luck!"

DO NOT EVER SAY GOOD LUCK TO ANY PERFORMER; is also another constant explanation. Then nitwits think we literally mean break a limp of your body when we say "break a leg." I will say this once, it means bending at the knee to bow. "Break a Leg" is a Shakespearean term, but has come to mean have a good show. In the sense of good luck, it means rock your show to take an amazing bow. It has also been known as coming from a leg of the stage to make the bow or an encore. The leg of the stage is the black curtains in which actors make their entrances and exits.

15. "Where's my prop?!"

Whether you step away for a second, or have all props organized; someone moves your prop, or steals it. When in school, other students play with them; which is the ultimate disrespect. Even when the show is over and you go to take it off stage, you can not find it anywhere. And, you yell at the property manager or go crazy trying to find it!

16. I still can not present to a class!

I can get up in front of a hundred people to perform a play, but I still cannot present a project to a class of 20.

17. Cleaning up a scene

This is one for the drama students. When you have to cut out a good line/scene to make it appropriate for the school district, it's absolutely irritating. We have to cut any forms of innuendos and limit what we can say, because we have audiences who get offended too easily.

18. "Drama is easy"

Just no. I'm not going to explain all the reasons, but if you think this easy, then get out, just get out.

19. Leaving your new family

You may constantly argue and go through chaos, but when the show is over, the cast will have a special bond that cannot be broken. The cast will grow into a family that will watch out for one another, no matter what. Not to mention we will always want each other's success.

20. Random Spells of ADHD

Even the most focused person is bound to have a silly day where everything makes them laugh or side tracks them. I have often had to have a "Fun Through" in which we goof around with our lines (only a little), and we do any movement we want. Fun throughs help get rid of awkwardness, and help you memorize lines, surprisingly.

21. Everything is Opposite

Left is right, right is left, down is front and up is back. Got it? Yeah, me neither. I still struggle to remember.