Whether you're a member of the Theatre Department or you used to act in high school, you're well aware that there are very specific problems that only other young stage actors - or theatre kids - can relate to. They are frustrating to experience and near-impossible to explain, but don't worry; you are not alone. There are plenty of people who understand your struggle.
1. It's 'theatre,' not 'theater.'
Yes, we are aware that there is no difference in meaning or pronunciation between the spellings. Yes, we know that we are Americans, not Europeans. No, this does not matter to us.
2. We are not aware of how loud we are speaking.
We're not shouting, we're just projecting. And no, we cannot control it, nor are we aware that we're doing it. Telling us to use our 'indoor voices' or reminding us that you're not even two feet away from us doesn't change anything.
3. Reading out loud in class is literally the worst.
Especially if it's Shakespeare. We end up either:
A) Being the only people who volunteer,
B) Being the only people to use any kind of character voice or inflection,
C) Being the only people who understand what is going on,
or D) All of the above
It's exhausting. Just make an effort, people.
4. Not all of us enjoy Shakespeare.
Yes, it is possible to love to act and not like Shakespeare. Sometimes the Bard just isn't our cup of tea; we're entitled to opinions just as much as non-actors are.
5. Most of us have no concept of personal space.
Between quick changes having to be made in front of the cast, always being super close together because the green room is too small, and being generally charismatic person, the chances of us having any shame is close to nothing. You spend multiple hours every day for months with the same people; they know everything about you by now. The term 'over-sharing' is just 'sharing.'
We also have a tendency to forget that not everyone shares this lack of boundaries.
6. Post-show depression is a real thing.
Depression is no joke, and neither is the feeling of emptiness you have when a show closes. Having a huge part of your life suddenly ripped away, never to return is scary and really hard to take. We spend months wishing it were over, only to want it back once it's gone. Then we wallow in our feelings until we get cast in another show, and the cycle starts over. It's vicious, but we wouldn't trade it for the world.
7. Juggling other commitments with rehearsals is extremely hard.
Not only do we have rehearsals that average four hours everyday, and even longer during tech week and show nights, but we also have to worry about every other thing we have to do. School, work, family, and maintaining relationships with people who don't do theatre is downright exhausting.
8. Despite how difficult it is, none of us would want it any other way.
Having a place where you are completely accepted for who you are, where you are around people like you that care and consider you family, is absolutely priceless. The friendships and memories made during rehearsals, set builds, and backstage antics will stay with us forever. Despite what happens in our lives, we will always call the theatre home.
