Whether or not theatre still plays a major part in your life, or if it ever did, hopefully you know that each actor, actress, or crew member involved in a show is equally important. The ensemble keeps the production in line and helps to move the story along. Ensemble participants with excellent facial expressions and bold actions often times stand out. Unfortunately, I do not do as much theatre in college as I did in high school, but I was almost always in a play or musical growing up. Theatre has been such a large factor in shaping me into the person that I am today, and I attribute the different types of roles that I have taken on to helping me create myself as well. I have had the pleasure of making appearances as a lead, ensemble member, and cameo. Being a cameo or ensemble member is just as much fun as being a lead. Here are the reasons as to why this is true.
- It is tiring to constantly be on stage, so having a break offstage sometimes isn’t so bad.
- You are able to bond more with cast members outside of the cliquey leads bubble.
- Ensemble and cameo members often times shine the most.
- Being in the limelight for some of the show is sometimes more effective than being present on stage for the entirety of the show.
- Having group acting, dancing and singing workshops are beneficial to grow as a performer.
- Collaborating and rehearsing dance and music routines with fellow cast mates is extremely productive.
- Being able to create a non-scripted character and adding your own quirks and personality traits are super fun.
- Having downtime when the leads are rehearsing to relax, eat or rehearse yourself is helpful.
- Joking around with friends and pretending that one another’s characters are related to each another or are friends with each other.
- Being able to watch the stage crew do their thang.
- Being able to serve as an extra set of hands for the stage crew if needed since sometimes your responsibilities are minimal.
- Having that one badass line.
- Having that priceless moment in the limelight that the audience remembers, laughs about, or both.
- Being able to enter and exit stage and randomly reappear in certain scenes.
- Not having to memorize tons upon tons of lines.
- Not being bombarded by millions of fans asking for autographs, but being asked for only a few autographs by a couple of people and being showered with flowers from your family and friends.
Sometimes being in the spotlight for a short amount of time is okay, too. If the actor or actress makes his or her time onstage count, then it will be evident during his or her performance. In other words, when casted in a show, you get what you get, and you don’t go upset. Embrace being in the ensemble or having a cameo. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show…or give your heart out on that stage. Grace that stage, and own your character. Be you, but simultaneously be someone else. Bravo!
