In high school we tend to fall into cliques and friend groups. And more often than not, those labels come from the type of people you spend time with and the activities you partake in. I fell into the category of theatre kid. It was a year-round thing with One Act in the fall, Musical in the winter, and Spring play in, you guessed it, the spring. I would spend hours memorizing lines, learning choreography, going on coffee shop runs in between scenes with my fellow theatre nerds, and gushing over the pinnacle parts of the show to people who just didn't get it. However, now that I'm in college I've been trying to hold on to that inner theatre kid while in a major far from the dramatic arts. These are just some of the trials and tribulations I've faced thus far:
Knowing the whole score to Les Mis, Chicago, Aida, Book of Mormon, etc.
All this space in my head is filled with song lyrics when it needs to be filled with O-Chem, but what the hell, I belt out the whole score while I pretend to study. Or when you play you're old practice CD in the car and the person pulling up next to you thinks you're having an emotional break down when really you're belting out "I've Dreamed a Dream". Same difference though.
Wanting to audition for college-level shows, but knowing all the parts are going to go to theatre majors.
I get it, theatre majors need to build up their resumes with a healthy list of shows. But can I please just once get cast? Just put me in the chorus. I will gladly harmonize my alto voice and do some high kicks in the back just to be in a show *Sondheim reference*.
Having no friends in your major to fan-girl with over the latest show releases or tours coming near you.
You know who cared about Hamilton or the change in lead for Kinky Boots in my major? No one. Literally not a soul. The only show most of them know is Wicked because, well, it's Wicked. Someone save me.
Having the ability to do crazy stage make-up, but having no need for the talent anymore.
Seriously, people, I can make myself look like an 80-year-old Asian woman or a prostitute from the roaring 20's. However, since these looks aren't socially acceptable for everyday wear, I'm in a bit of a pickle. So much talent is being wasted here, guys.
Finally, a little piece of my theatre kid heart dies every day I go without a show tune.
I feel like Tinker Bell without her fairy dust. To quote one Miss Rachel Berry from Glee, "I need applause to live!" That might be a little dramatic, but drama is kind of the whole point here. Being on stage is exhilarating and so very rewarding. You spend enormous amounts of time perfecting your craft for just two hours of showtime with a 15 minute intermission. The characters you take on and the songs you have to belt out become a part of you. And, yes, it is a little sad when you get to a point in your life when you realize that money and social pressures take priority over your love for theatre, and you make the decision to put the character shoes away and look into a different field. But, as any theatre kid will tell you, no matter how hard you try to turn off their spotlight, there will always be a closet Velma Kelly in there.
