When I tell people that I'm a theater major, I get a lot of different reactions. Responses range from, "Oh, you'll never make a living doing that," to, "Wow, that's so brave you're following that dream!" It can be pretty discouraging sometimes seeing how others react to my personal choice about what I would like to do with a good portion of my adult life. Yet, I don't ever regret choosing theater as my first major.
I'm learning a ton of important and useful skills with this degree that I never would've thought of. I'm usually a performer, and spend a good chunk of my time just on stage in rehearsals. But now that I've come to college, I'm finding myself on the technical side of things more than I did in high school. This is where I have been learning the majority of my practical, hands-on skills. I'm slowly learning how to use power tools for instance. I'll admit I'm not amazing with them, but I do know how to use a drill and a saw. Watch out world, this girl can build things. My favorite thing I have learned, though, is how to create clothes. Oh yeah, that's right, I know how to sew together a dress. I haven't made any clothes to wear myself yet, but one of these days I will. I haven't even mentioned what I've learned to do with lights, sound and props. There are so many skills I have learned that have made me very prepared for practical jobs.
I've learned how to be myself and be unique. Something we say a lot in acting and directing classes is, "Make bold and interesting choices." That lesson has really opened me up to being more honest about who I am. I'm making bold and interesting choices in my life that are at the very heart of me. I'm not like other people and I've learned how to embrace that. Now I openly express myself from my opinions from things I love to my clothing. It's very freeing to realize you can make these bold and interesting choices to be yourself. I love that I'm unique and am so much more willing to be myself.
I'm learning how to become an effective leader. In the theater department we are all given several opportunities to be in charge of a crew or direct a scene. Actually, everyone in the department (including theater minors) are required to take a directing class to learn how to put a show together. All of these experiences add up to understanding what it takes to be a good leader. You work with other people and their schedules to achieve a common goal. If you don't end up getting there, you either fail or you let down those in the show. It really builds you up to learn how to work with people and take charge, which is perfect for stepping up and being a leader in any situation.
Best of all, I have another family. Just like my real family, we bicker and fight, but in the end we truly love one another. We are constantly around one another so it's hard not to be somewhat friends at the very least. We all have the same goal: to bring stories to life for our audience. That's a bond that is hard to break. I know that if I ever need something or someone, they are there. We have one another's backs through thick and thin. I love my theatre family and couldn't think of anyone better to spend most of my college life with in a basement.
I haven't looked back since I settled on my major and I am so grateful for that. I will never regret being a theatre major.
