Theatre is one of the most unique and creative art forms out there, yet a lot of people don't seem to fully understand or appreciate it. Now, I'm not writing this to force you to go to plays and musicals or to get involved with all of that. I just hope that in reading this those of you who think that theatre is for nerds and it's all so boring will gain at least a smidgen of appreciation for the place that so many of us like to call home.
I don't think a lot of people know just how much effort goes into putting on even a small production. Not only do tons of costumes and props have to be bought, but scenery has to be done, lights have to be set up properly, and all the lines have to be learned. Just a single scene takes an insane amount of collaboration from the actors, lights technician, sound technician, and even people backstage who may be in charge of making sure everything is in the right place for each scene. It's all a lot of work, and only the acting is ever seen and truly appreciated!
Some of you out there may have heard the term "theatre family" and thought nothing of it. But just know that we do not use that term lightly. If you choose to involve yourself in a theatrical production, prepare to find lifelong friends with whom you will be bonded with indefinitely. Seriously, even if everyone in the cast is strangers at the first reading, you will soon enough know everything about them. That happens when a group spends endless hours each week working to put together a play or musical. Hell week (the last week before the show opens) is even crazier than you could have ever thought possible. Late nights, last minute changes to scenes, the whole cast and crew silently questioning if the show will even be ready by opening night is all part of the wonderful experience of theatre.
Now I know that may not sound appealing to many of you, but to us theatre nerds, it's the best feeling out there. Not necessarily during the entire stressful event, but hearing the audience begin clapping after the curtain shuts for the last time...well there's nothing else like it, at least in my opinion. Even after the stress of Hell Week and the weeks leading up to it, you'll still find yourself with way too much free time for your taste when it's all said and done. You'll find yourself missing your theatre family horribly and then making up weird reasons to all get together again. Seriously, the last play I was in, we all decided to watch Game of Thrones during the time we would have normally had rehearsal (so 3 hours a day) for the entire week after the show ended.
Theatre is honestly a once in a lifetime experience, and for those of you who have never tried it or even given it a second thought, I suggest you do so. It's an experience you will most likely never forget.
