Although people might think the FDU Theater Majors are crazy, I can honestly say that training to be an Actor has taught me many things. I of course still love acting and will be pursuing it, but here are some other skills I've learned along the way throughout my training.

1. Stage presence

(also known as public speaking to the real world)- The entire premise of acting is public privacy. That is, being yourself in your own space no matter who's watching. I know for me, public speaking was a very big fear of mine until I started acting. It forces me to be comfortable in a room full of people. Along with that comes diction so that when you're speaking people can actually understand you, but you get the idea. The first step is actually getting up there and doing it.

2. Engaging with other people

training in the acting program here at FDU has taught me to actually listen to people when they're speaking or responding. Just simply talking AT someone won't help me post graduation. Being able to engage in a conversation with other people (whether you want to or not) is a skill that acting has helped me with.

3. Confidence

Because of my acting experience, I am now confident in the other aspects of my life. It has taught me to trust myself and to try my hardest and not care about the outcome. Confidence has always been a work in progress for me, but nothing beats achieving something you never dreamed you would be able to do.

4. Energy

Being involved in any production on top of school, greek life, etc. isn't easy. You have to keep up the energy no matter what. I would be infuriated if I went to a Broadway show and there was no energy. People don't pay good money to just sit around and watch you be mopey. This is something I like to carry with me all the time. Through Acting, I found myself wanting to endure in 2 day long orientation sessions. Even when I knew I would be exhausted, finding energy in the slightest things can be a life savor.

5. Dedication/Committment

My acting training has taught me how to be committed in everything I do. I remember when I came into the program I was asked "Are you ready for a vigorous program?" of course I said yes, but I had no idea what I was in for. I wouldn't take any of it back. Being dedicated, especially to something you love, is so important in this day and age. Millennials hold the stereotype of not caring, so being dedicated and committed to what you're doing can set you apart from others in the job world.

6. Creative Insight

As probably expected, my acting training has really helped me want to expand my horizons and become more creative. I may not be the most artistic, but I do find myself looking at things with a "larger than life" approach rather than being one-track minded.

7. Motivation

Being in this program has also helped me with motivation. Motivation with my school work, self motivation, you name it. I am finding myself wanting to do anything and everything under the sun just to see the results and to pass the finish line. Instead of thinking to myself "I can't do this", I try to think "How CAN I do this?". Changing that mindset really helped me.

8. Independent Work

A lot of acting work is about the ensemble, but it's also really about the work you do on your own. As a TA this semester, it really shows when someone takes the extra time to do the work on their own. It has taught me that if you do extra work on your own, working with a group is a piece of cake.

9. Time management

I think the biggest thing to overall sum up everything from my training here at FDU, is time management. In the real world of the arts, you could be working on multiple projects, so this one is super important. Being able to keep a planner and to stay on top of your schedule really shows maturity. I get very structural with my calendar on my phone and on my laptop, in order to make time for the things that I want to do. Finding ways to pencil in that free time for yourself can really help you mentally, and emotionally.

The laundry list of people skills required of an actor is pretty predictable and endless, but these skills have also taught me how to become a harder worker, and a better person. I am so happy with the person I am becoming and I know working with the arts for the rest of my life will only help me in the future.