Theatre has taught me so much to prep myself for the real world.

1. You have to work as a team

You can’t do a show on your own. You can’t do a musical, a play, or any type of performance on your own. It honestly takes a village. It takes actors, designers, directors, crew members etc. to make the show go up. You have to work together to make the production possible in all areas.

2. It’s not always about you

No matter if you have the smallest role, or the biggest role – it’s not always about you. This definitely comes into play during tech rehearsals. This is the time for the designers to do their thing, and you sit and wait until you are needed for your cues. This is a good reminder that the world doesn’t revolve around you.

3. You can't do it all on your own

You need everyone to be in the right mindset to get a production to where it needs to be. If one person isn’t there physically or mentally, you can see it and even feel it with the rhythm of the show. If you aren’t sure of something, ask. You would rather be safe, and do the right thing than being wrong and even put yourself and others in danger. You can’t do it all on your own.

4. How to persevere

Colds go around fast when you live in a dorm and are in closed knit groups as a cast. Someone or multiple people always get sick before tech week, and when shows go up. Yet we have to persevere and go to the long rehearsals and do what is asked of yourself. Go to classes, rehearsals, and fittings. You have to preserve and be there for your cast.

5. How to take constructive criticism

In the real world, you’re going to need to know how to handle constructive criticism. Luckily, I’ve learned how to take it since the freshman year of high school. Taking constructive criticism is important because you can’t get butt-hurt over little things. You need to be able to take a note and use it in a constructive way and better yourself and the work you do.

6. Hard work pays off

You’re working until you can’t work anymore. I totally understand that, but listen to me when I say this… hard work pays off. All those hours of hard work, the exhaustion tears, and dinner at 10:30 at night it is worth it. I can’t even describe the feeling I have when I walk off stage after an unbelievable show. But listen to me when I say this, it is all worth it in the end.