The friends we make in life are amazing, they are there for us when we are down, get overly excited when something goes well in our lives, bring us chocolate chip cookie dough when we are heartbroken and are the first people we think of when planning our days. But there are a few times that you come across a person that is particularly special, they're special not because they do the things above, but they will couple them with singing the entirety of Cell Block Tango...with choreography, running through the streets screaming at the top of their lungs and doing silly dances to try to cheer you up. These people are Thespians and before you dive in too deep (which I highly recommend you do), here are a few things to know before befriending one of us.
1. Trying to schedule anything is almost impossible.
"I can't, I've got rehearsal-homework-a workshop-I am reading Shakespeare-I am watching RENT for the 5 billionth time and I can't be disturbed-I must recreate the entirety of Hamilton by myself tonight-I am people watching..." the list can truly go on for ages.
2. You will find it super odd how close we are with one another. (Well, everyone in general really.)
"Can I have a sip of your water?" "Who has food?" "Gross! Did you just lick me?!?" " 'Don't come in, I'm naked!' 'Does it even really matter anymore?' 'No...come on in!' " And don't even get me started on stage kisses and quick changes!
3. We are probably some of the most emotional people you will ever meet.
We have this crazy love for life and everything that goes into it. We feel that it is our call on earth to represent human emotion on stage for the world to see. At any time of day, we can go from tremendously happy, to static, enthusiastic, to the most broken and torn person you have ever seen. Do not worry about us too much, we are still us, characters just leave marks on our personalities.
4. At some point, we will analyze you and everything you do, but it's okay, it's probably for a class or role.
"Don't mind me, I am just sitting here...watching you...act normal...and stuff..."
Humans are the most interesting creatures on earth and it is a thespian's job to catch and try to grasp every moment of life.
5. We will burst out into song/dance/monologue/improvisational sketch that you are not a part of with no warning whatsoever.
Maybe you sing in the car, maybe you sing in the shower...we sing everywhere! Dancing at a party, sure! Dancing in the street, absolutely! Dancing down the aisles at the grocery store, why not? "Let's make up an improv comedy sketch right now, we are on an island in the mall and tiki men are trying to steal our buried treasure! Go!" Be. Ready. For. Anything. My. Friend.
6. The day of the Tony Awards is a religious holiday and we shan't be disturbed. (But if you want to experience their glories with us...that is a different story)
" 'Hey, can you pass me my... 'Shhhhhh, Neil Patrick Harris is saying some very important. I wish I could dance like Sutton Foster. No, no, no, no...okay, they're right, but _____ really deserved to win. Phillipa Soo is a goddess! I just really want to host the Tonys. Shut up! Is that Patti LuPone?!? I'm dying. I'm dying. I'm dying. I'm dead.
Oh, sorry what were you saying?' 'Can you pass me my water?' "
(You get the picture...)
7. We are the quirkiest, intense, thick-skinned, beautiful, most terrifyingly enthusiastic and all around best friends that anyone could ask for...like ever.
It is like something in our souls wants to reach out and experience all that life has to give us. Deep down, all an actor wants is to see life through the eyes of another person, to go the extra mile in their shoes and to love everyone for exactly who they are. So if you are lucky enough to be blessed with a theatre person in your life, recognize it. There's a reason they like you, so find it in yourself to like you too.
