In many cases, theatre is overlooked, with very little funding and not many higher-ups realizing just how important and essential it is for many people worldwide. Without a second thought, in lots of schools, the theatre budget is cut, so more money can go to math, science, history and English classes. Many school board members say that money should go towards the core subjects. However, they do not realize the impact that theatre has on people, and they seem to think that the core subjects should get even more attention. I'm not saying core subjects aren't important; of course, they are. The school officials just need to realize how important theatre is too many of their students and their students' families. Theatre is very important for these reasons:
1. Everyone can be themselves.
In the world we live in, it can be hard to be yourself, as you may think others will make fun of you. In the theatre, there are rarely judgmental, mean, or conniving people. In fact, when you're yourself, you're often praised for not trying to be someone you're not. Theatre people get turned off when you're catty, or when you think you're better than everyone; there's no need to be someone you're not—take a deep breath and relax. Theatre people will love you for who you are. In my experience in high school theatre, it was really hard to be myself because I was afraid that I would be relentlessly teased. Now that I'm in college, I've learned that it's okay to be myself. Theatre has given me way more self-confidence and made me realize that those who don't like me because of who I am either don't know me well enough or just aren't worth my time.
2. You learn how to work on a team.
Each person involved in theatre needs to realize that their work on a production affects everyone in it, whether in the cast or in the crew. At my college, we have tech hours, which is when we build, paint, tape down lights, etc. and every time people don't show up it puts us back a week and makes it harder to finish the set on time.
When someone doesn't know their lines, it affects their scene partner(s). The scene partners will try to figure out a way to improvise, and if you learn your lines within the off-book date, it will make it easier for everyone involved. Sometimes, tech week is only three to four days, so when you buckle down and learn your lines and blocking, it can make those three to four days go much more smoothly and it can really help those in scenes with you.
3. Everyone becomes a family.
More often than not, everyone becomes a family during the show. A very strong bond builds rather quickly between certain people, and during tech week, everybody becomes even closer. It is totally understandable to be shy, but try your best to talk to more than one person; maybe even bring the person you're talking to to meet other people! You'll find many theatre people are incredibly sweet and more than willing to be friends with you; not only that, but some people may have trouble making friends, and if you go and talk to them, they may open up and be more willing to talk to other people.
After a while, you may have a huge friend group that's more like a family, and as time goes on, the whole cast will become a family. I used to have a terrible time making friends, because it was hard for me to connect to people. I credit theatre for making me more friendly, because without it, I would still have trouble making friends.
4. It's an extremely safe community.
Theatre people don't care whether you're male, female, gay, transgender, black, white Asian, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, a mix of genders, a different race, or anything in between. All they care about is whether or not you're a good person. As long as you aren't catty or aren't harming yourself or others, they don't care what or who you are.
Theatre is such a safe place and it's a home away from home. Everybody is supportive of each other and very protective of everyone. It's so refreshing to be around theatre people because you won't find any homophobia, sexism or any "there's only male and female!" It's wonderful to be around people who not only share the same ideals as you, but celebrate them as well! Theatre truly brings people together, and I think it's wonderful and should be given the same support as any school activity.
