I love theatre. A big part of my life has been circulated around theatre. All us theatre kids know it; long nights, tired voices, sore bodies, but we love it. Just recently though, my perception for theatre has really changed, ever since I started going to college. Don't get me wrong, I love the school I go to, Judson University. But it is a really small school. And with small schools, certain things won't be there, and one of those things for me is the small theatre department. I knew the kind of situation I'd be getting into and I knew that it would be a challenge. Coming from a high school that had a huge theatre department this was a big change. Although, I'm staying optimistic and if you are in the same boat, let me try to encourage you.

"Our desire as creators is to create art that is worth a special trip." - Jon Jorgenson

This is very true. And this is something I've really had to keep in mind when I decided to be a part of a theatre community within a small school. Just because I go to a smaller school does NOT mean the quality of content isn't just as good as a bigger school. People are still paying to come see the show so we need to give those people a show. We need to be able to make art that is worth a special trip, even in our performance hall that doubles as a theatre. There were days during the first musical I did at this school, "Little Women" where I wished I would have gone to a bigger school to be able to do grander shows. But what does this mean for me? Why should I be so selfish that I shouldn't give my 100% to this school?

So, if you are in the same boat as me I hope I was able to encourage you and help you remember that what you do in the theatre is important. We have such a powerful influence on the culture of our schools, so if you have the capability to put in work that truly means something, the size of the school doesn't really matter now does it? Break A Leg this year and work as hard as you can. You are still making the theatre community proud!