DISCLAIMER: This article is based strictly off my theatre experience. I am not saying that the things I have experienced backstage happen or do not happen in other theatre programs.
See that? Yes, that? The majestic picture above, looking out into the audience. Yea... That's about where every actor wants to be center stage, looking out into the audience. I mean #theatre_goals! However, unless you are lucky and talented enough to score the lead role in every production, you don't always end up here. You normally end up here:
Yes, here. Not as great, right? However, this is most actors' reality during their career, whether it be professional or not.
Backstage, a place where you spend lots of your time, if you aren’t a lead in the current production. I would like to uncover some of the backstage and off the stage myths that many non-thespians may or may not believe. I have been a practicing thespian for about nine years now, rather it be an actual role or a technical aspect of a production. I have also taken several theatre classes, and there are some similarities between class and what happens backstage. I will make sure to cover those, too. My look is not at all professional, more like high school amateur theatre.
First thing's first, the drama that comes with drama:
The drama backstage is not as bad as it is projected. All thespians are not out to steal each other's role. About the only drama there actually is, would be when the cast list first comes out. Those who do not get major parts may heavily slander those who get cast in the roles, but that normally only lasts a week, if that. If anymore drama occurs, it normally only happens to those who refuse to memorize their lines in a timely fashion (mainly during tech week).
The Romance
Romance was not a common thing in my theatre program. Of course, there were a few couples, but it definitely wasn't a free-for-all dating zone. However, there always were many crushes. When I was a freshman, the majority of the girls had a crush on the majorly talented actor, but he was completely (AND I MEAN COMPLETELY) ignorant to any of the girls having crushes on him. Those who did start a relationship with a fellow actor were not all over each other backstage. In most cases, they sat quietly next to each other awaiting their cue to go on stage. If any romance did happen, it would not happen during the show because of how distracting your significant other could be. In the drama classes couples did spend a lot of time together, but the whole time the couples would be working together in a group and not making out behind the curtain while the director wasn't paying attention. I worked with my boyfriend in theatre all the time. Simply because it allowed us to explore different parts of each others personality in a non-romantic way, which kept our relationship interesting.
Stripping Down
Actors have been know to shed off a few layers of clothing in front of each other backstage. I definitely did not do this while I was in theatre. Most of the actors I worked with normally had a base layer of clothing that was a step up from being in your underwear. That way, you would never have to show more than you wanted backstage. Even if we did have to wear skimpy costumes, there was a way to keep yourself decent. Stripping down in front of actors is not always something you get comfortable with, some do, some don't, and for others, it just depends on the situation.
What Really Happens...
You really wanna know what actors do backstage? It is either one of two things: We sit with an emotionless face waiting our cue, or we creatively interpret songs and dialogue in an over the top way. To put it plainly, WE ACT LIKE IDIOTS! You can find most actors dancing to their favorite songs or overacting dialogue with their best friend. That is what happens backstage. I would like to say that I didn't spend my high school career doing that backstage, but I did it all the time. It keeps your energy high during the show, so maybe instead of idiotic, it is just smart. By doing this we make memories of the little things, which can be just as grand as standing center stage doing what you love. Most of my favorite shows I have been in I just had an ensemble role, but being backstage with some of my closest friends made the show come alive to me. Acting is not always trying to impress an audience, but to express your love in many different forms. Every great actor I have seen has a sense of love for the art. We recreate ourselves on and off the stage.
