Theater is a wonderful expression of art. It has been around for thousands of years, having it's start with the ancient Greeks, and somehow it has still maintained its popularity. How has it stayed so popular and relevant, you may ask? Well, I've constructed a list of three things that may just answer that question:
1. There's always something for everyone.
Take it from me, being a self-proclaimed theater junkie myself, I have tried many, many, MANY times to get people interested in the wonderful and mysterious world of theater. And, being a self-proclaimed theater junkie, I have been guilty many times over of trying to get people interested in productions that I like. While I lean more toward music theater legends such as Stephen Sondheim and Lin-Manuel Miranda, many people I know love the classics, such as Rodgers and Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber. While I would love it if someone liked what I like, with something like the theater (being a diverse place), I think it is safe to say that whether people like plays, musicals, comedy, or drama, there is always something for every interest.
2. It's an escape from everyday life.
Being a college student with a music major, a theater minor, a job, rehearsals, and meetings, I think I can safely say that I know a little "something something" about being stressed out. And what do I do to combat all the stress? Cry and eat, but that's besides the point. I also enjoy a good ol' fashioned theater performance. Yet, sadly, I am a poor, poor student, and I can not always afford live performances. This is where a handy little thing called YouTube comes in. So, whether you live in New York City surrounded by theaters or in a little Swedish town in Kansas, whether you go in a group or alone, you can be sure to escape you daily life through the characters, sets, and stories of theater.
3. You can be who you want to be.
Did I mention that I am a theater minor? Yes? Well, let me tell you that as a theater minor, I have not only spent time backstage helping with hair and makeup and spent time building sets, but I have also had my fair share of acting roles. As an actor, I have gotten to experience the rare and liberating act of becoming another person, even if it is just for a couple of hours. There is just something so amazing about replacing your own worries and fears with a different person's. Maybe you don't want to go to the theater to watch, maybe you want to be part of the production!
So, there you go! My three reasons on why theater should be a constant in everyone's lives. I challenge all of you to go out, find a theater, sit down, and enjoy. I'll leave you with there famous words: break a leg!
