It started off just being a fun after-school activity. Who knew that theatre was going to play such a big part in my life? Now, being off the stage for a few years, I have come to realize that I won't forget, can't regret what I did for love.
The day the cast list goes up is the most anxiety-filled day of year. After auditioning, your mind is racing on your performance because how you did that in that one 5 minute period determines whether or not you will get your dream role. Although you've auditioned a thousand times before, the last one is just as scary as the first. To this day, I swear, nothing compares to the moment when you either see or don't see your name on the cast list. Seeing that your name is written in black ink on that white piece of paper is the most euphoric feeling. And there is no worse feeling than that time when you think you missed your name, but after glancing the list a couple times over you come to realize that it just wasn't written there at all. Theatre teaches you that you don't and you can't always get what you want. At some point in your life you will get rejected and it is best that you learn that feeling early. Being an actor, you learn that you have to work for what you want-- nothing gets you nothing, everything has got a little price! Success, especially in the form of that dream role, doesn't come without a good work ethic and a positive attitude.
Being a part of a theatre group is like no other. Some may consider us a cult, but truly we welcome people with open arms. No other group is as diverse as a group of actors. And although we may come from different backgrounds or different social groups, we all have one thing in common: we share a love and appreciation for being on stage. The moments you share together on and off stage are some that you can never forget. Be it good or bad. You create relationships with people that you may never have before. I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return. No one knows you like the people who have been with you throughout the audition process, blocking, learning lines, tech week or production days. You all devote your time to creating the best show that you possibly can and it's impossible to not become friends, mentors and family along the way.
You learn so many valuable life lessons with each cast and show that you work with. You learn to empathize and understand others because you are forced to put yourself in someone else's shoes. You allow yourself to see the world through someone else's eyes and that is such an important quality for all to have. You learn so much more on stage and backstage than you ever could in a classroom. No other group embraces differences like a group of actors does and from that you learn to be compassionate and understanding. Not only do you learn to accept others, but you also learn to accept yourself. You find your strengths and weaknesses and you find your confidence and truly begin to believe in yourself. Spending day after day with people you care about doing something that you love, you'll understand what happiness is.
Taking your final bow you realize that the gift was ours to borrow, but no matter where you go or where you end up, the love is never gone. To all that I have ever performed with: Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
