All throughout high school, I've been that theatre kid. Class, rehearsal, home by nine, and then dinner and homework. Repeat cycle. Those high school years might not have been the best, but I sure did find my niche.
Fast forward to college. It's more selective whether you are apart of a theatre club or program. Typically you must be studying some type of theatre either as a major or minor in order to be able to take part. It's much more difficult getting theatre gig's when the students who major in the industry are scooping up basically all the jobs (rightfully so).
It's a rare moment for me to be able to be involved in productions and such, but when it does happen I get so elated. Theatre may only be my minor, but it's definitely not a minor part of who I am. My fast paced life rarely has time for it, but I am a performer and a major supporter of the arts. Going long periods of time without it causes me to suffer from withdrawal.
I'm sure everyone who has ever been involved with theatre can agree with me when I say:
1. Auditions are.... well.... a process.
Perfecting that Romeo and Juliet monologue over and over in your bedroom mirror has finally paid off because it's GO TIME. Time for those pre-audition warm ups. And make sure to go with your lucky audition outfit because it works every time.
2. Rehearsal schedules are ridiculous
No matter how much you complain, you cannot deny how much you love the ongoing stress of revolving your homework/social life around it. Rehearsal every night from 5-9? Yes please. I didn't want to sleep tonight anyways.
3. There's an inside joke for every scene of every show between every cast member
That cast will become your best friends and second family. Spending every waking moment together warrants all the inside jokes and pranks. It's half the fun, and how else are you going to survive those long rehearsal days?
4. You and tech week have a love/hate relationship
We complain about it because we all hate it, but deep down it's one of the best parts. Twelve hour long rehearsal days for three days in a row? My sanity might be slowly slipping away from the last three hours spent working on the same scene, but hey, it's all part of the fun.
5. Nothing's as bittersweet as final bows
Literally one of the most bittersweet moments of theatre. Being on stage and doing the final bows means holding back your tears and keeping that smile glued on your face until you reach back stage and let it all out. Working behind the scenes and getting acknowledged feels pretty dang good too.
Those are only a few of the many little things that make theatre the crazy, wonderful world that those who chose to live in it, aspire in.
Live, laugh, love, theatre.
