Dear theatre,
Thank you. I have spent five years with you now, and I want to say that this has been my longest relationship to date. It all started when my friend set me up with you. It was then that I met one of many great theatre teachers/mentors that had drawn me to theatre with her infectious energy and passion. Thank you for introducing me to these kinds of people; the dreamers, the doers, the believers, the thinkers, and the people who saw greatness in me even when I couldn't.
I remember our first date, or should I say audition. I was awkward, shy, and had no clue how to properly do a zombie dance. So, thank you for accepting me. I've come a long way since being the person, who had no clue where to go when they were told, 'exit stage left.' I had no clue what musicals were, I had no clue of any theatre history, and I haven't read any plays outside of the required seventh grade Shakespeare classic: "Romeo and Juliet."
I'm not going to say that it has been in anyway an "easy" relationship. It has been rocky. It has been emotional. Maybe even a little toxic at times. There have been moments, where I have contemplated putting this relationship to an end. Like that time we have gotten into a fight, because I wasn't strong enough to try and make this work, so you kicked me out. In that moment, I made a choice to not make you a priority in my life. I felt like we had nothing in common. After all, you are sagacious and beautiful: I felt stupid and ugly. I felt betrayed. Most importantly, I felt hurt and confused. I sacrificed my life to you, and I felt like all I got in return was dead flowers and a broken heart.
"To be... or not to be."
Our love was falling apart at the seams. I looked back to that moment when I fell in love with you, since the last curtain call of my very first show, when post-show depression sank in. I had realized this lesson: Love is when you don't want something in your life to end. I don't want what we have now to ever end.You have taught me that I am not going to always win. Thank you for saying "no" to me sometimes. Without hearing the "no's," I would have never developed the strong work ethic I have now. You taught me that if you truly love something and want something, you will work hard for it and if you don't earn it... It just wasn't meant to be right now. You have pushed me to the gym. You have shown me the value of my body and raised my self-esteem. You motivated me to write my own solo play. You taught me that I am unique and special, and to embrace ambiguity and uncertainties that life will throw at me. You are still teaching me. You are pushing me to learn everyday, whether in a book or in the world around me.
I now know that there is no "wrong" in the theatre. I love that. I love the people I met. Without you, I wouldn't have made the wonderful friends I have now. From on stage, to behind the scenes, to just watching my fellow actors in the audience you have influenced my life and made me a stronger, passionate, considerate, respectful, dedicated, emotional, time-thoughtful, and more group-oriented person.
All the world's a stage and because of you, I have been changed for good. Thank you for the best five years of my life, and many more to come.
Sincerely,
An actor
