Flashback to when I was a freshman in high school and15-year-old me decided to audition for my first One Act play after being encouraged by my friend who was a huge theater kid already. I thought, “What the heck? This seems like it could be kind of cool.”

I could never have guessed the immense impact being involved in theater would leave on me. From long nights of rehearsals to warming up with funny games, theater molded me into who I am today and gave me a whole other dynamic side that I wouldn’t have gained otherwise.

While I am no longer involved with theater in college, my background as a high school theater kid will forever be a part of me. Here are eight dead giveaways that you were and forever will be an actor.

1. You know you need unique New York

Tongue twisters don’t have anything on you. You could talk about red leather, yellow leather all day long while you’re in unique New York with your toy boat, toy boat, toy boat.

2. You know what the “M” word is and you still are nervous to say it

I learned this one the hard way and was told to spin around and spit over my shoulder so I didn’t curse the whole cast.

3. You’re really good at faking reactions

Learning how to quickly snap into character and do improv is useful in the theater. It also comes in handy when you’re in different social situations that require you to get creative with your conversation.

4. Non-thespians don’t understand when you’re being sarcastic

At least that means you’re a great actor, right?

5. You know the definition of thespian

The first time I heard the word “thespian”, I definitely thought my theater director was calling us all lesbians. Thespian, though, is the official term to describe all of us unique and secretly weird people who love breaking emotional and physical barriers and spending hours in rehearsals memorizing lines.

6. Your everyday music playlist consisted of soundtracks from Wicked and Les Misérables

One minute I’m listening to “Havana” by Camila Cabello and the next I’m sobbing out the lyrics to “On My Own” from Les Misérables. It’s casual.

7. You’re trained to never say “Good Luck”

Saying this to an actor before a production was pretty much saying you hope that everyone forgets their lines and the set collapses on the stage mid-performance.

8. It felt like your life was ending on closing night after the show

Performing on stage in front of a full house was one of the most magical, exciting, and nerve-wracking experiences ever. Actors love spending hours rehearsing in the theater and even more hours at home memorizing lines because it’s such a thrill to emotionally connect with your characters and put on a memorable production.

Closing night, however, usually consists of a bunch of happy and sad tears afterward because you had such an amazing experience with your cast and you don’t know how you’re supposed to spend your weekdays anymore.