I feel like it's a grand old stereotype of all the high school movies: the athletes are the popular ones in the school and the theater kids are the nerds. Theater kids are weird, and so completely different than athletes. You can't even compare the two!

I completely disagree.

I am a self-proclaimed theater kid. This is my passion, and this is what I've dedicated my time to. Yet, despite the fact that I really am not an athletic person, I have serious respect for athletes. When I sat down and thought about it, there are really not that different than me.

Theater kids also practice... a lot.
Athletes are in practice most days of the week. So are theater kids... We just call it rehearsal. Likes athletes, we are rehearsing most days of the week to put our show together.

Theater kids, like athletes, are passionate.
Athletes are often pushing themselves both physically and emotionally, all for the love of the game. Theater kids spend late nights in rehearsal, memorizing lines and dance moves. Despite the fact that we are involved with different things, both actors and athletes are incredibly passionate about what they do.

Actors have their own season.
Athletes have their season where they practice and play their games. For actors, we've got a season, and it's our year of shows. We often times have several shows we do in that year's "season," and that's what our focus is.

Actors' shows are like that big game.
Athletes often have a really huge game during their season, or perhaps even playoffs, that they're preparing for. Actors are very similar. We rehearse for several weeks to prepare to put on a show for those few glorious nights. Athletes have loads of practices that lead up to that big game. Both actors and athletes prepare hard to perform when it's most important.

A cast of actors bonds like a team.
An athletic team needs to be a cohesive unit. They need to know each other, know one another's strengths and weaknesses, in order to play to their highest abilities. When a cast gets together to put on a show, they do the same thing. A cast gets to know one another so they can create a comfortable environment where everyone can flourish.

Without practice, actors would get nowhere.
Athletes practice to refine their skills. Actors do the same thing. We take classes so we can learn more about the craft. We rehearse so we can develop a strong show. Both actors and athletes have to practice to get better at what they do.

Theater kids have pride, too.
Teams are awesome at boosting morale within their unit, but also getting the public involved. They've got team pride and love to display it and share it with others. Actors are the same way! After working so hard on a show, they're proud to put on what they've rehearsed so hard for. Actors thrive on having people come see their show, because the audience gives them the response and support they're looking for. Both actors and athletes love to hear the roar of the crowd cheering them on.