1. Knowing every word to the show you're working on.
After working on a play for months, you become an expert line reciter. There’s nothing more fun than mouthing the words to the scenes you’re not in. Let’s face it, by the end of the show you know everything there is to know about that particular piece.
2. Dressing and undressing in front of your cast mates.
Let’s face it, in theatre there’s no time to waste. This means that if you have to make a quick change of costume for another scene in the show you’re working in, you don’t care if you have to change in front of anyone.
3. Getting mad at the tech crew for missing a cue.
There’s nothing more frustrating than working for months on your acting, dancing, and/or singing only to be overshadowed by a technical difficulty. Anyone that participates in theatre knows the frustration of depending on others and then being let down. Even though it’s a very infuriating sensation, you get over it because the show must go on.
4. Not having a life during tech week.
Once you sense that Tech Week is approaching, you start to prepare by buying energy drinks, bathing yourself in patience, and especially trying to get work done beforehand. Tech is, without a doubt, the longest and most tedious period that every show goes through because it requires a lot of concentration and patience. Consequently, every person that participates in theatre knows that once Tech Week arrives, they shall have no other responsibilities apart from the show.
5. Playing a role that is very dissimilar to yourself.
Every actor has been (or will be) faced with the challenge of playing a very difficult role that is completely or very different from his or her person. This doesn’t mean that it’s impossible; it just means that it’s a bit harder to relate yourself to the character’s perspective of life. But by the end of the entire journey with that character, you realize that it was another challenge completed.
6. (When working on a musical) role playing every character in every song:
One of the best experiences when working in a musical is when some of the cast mates gather round and sing the songs of the show they are performing together. The twist here happens when you switch roles and try to imitate each other. It’s super fun and it allows you to bond with all of the people you’re working with.
7. Ginger, honey, and room-temperature water become your best friends before a show.
If you are (or ever have been) in theatre, you know that your voice is one of the most precious tools you have. Therefore, you do everything to protect it from flu season, because if you lose your voice you know it’s going to be almost impossible to perform: it’s like giving a violin concert without a violin.
8. Creating a family with the cast and crew of every show.
Every show is different, even if you do different shows with the same people, the experiences are very unique. You’ll have personal inside jokes for every show, you’ll bond with specific people, and most importantly, you’ll create a wonderful piece of art together. What more could you ask for?
