So, I'll start out by saying I'm not a theatre major, and it breaks my heart. There is just something about being on a stage that feels so natural. My friends at school always jokingly ask when I'm going to change my major, but as a theatre minor, I get a glimpse into the reality of theatre, and hopefully, I'll be able to work it into my career. This article though, it is for the FMU Theatre program, and the lovely men and women who have chosen to follow the dream of entertainment.
First, I want to say thank you. Thank you for taking me in as one of your own from the start. As a freshman just starting college, having a group of [mostly] older students who shared a passion of mine helped me become more comfortable on campus. I've laughed with you, performed with you, and honestly, every time I'm around a theatre person, it's hard not to have a good time. You're entertainers, and you have a hard time shutting off those traits that make you entertainers. You're sassy and hilarious, and what would the world do without plays? Thank you, fellow actors, for showing me things I couldn't learn on my own. And thank you, you crazy wonderful techs, for doing everything you can to make the show look perfect and getting little credit for it. Without you, the show wouldn't go on.
Second, you are my family. You've joked about our placements in a family tree, but honestly, I see each one of you as brothers and sisters, and you have taught me more about theatre and life in the past few months of college than I've ever learned. You've always been genuinely interested in my life and what I have to say, which doesn't come easy in college. Theatre kids have to stick together, and you have proven that true.
Third, please follow your dreams. You awesome bunch of people are destined for greatness. People will tell you that theatre is dying, or you'll never make enough money, but they don't realize that those things could never stop you. You would still take the stage and put all this hard work in for ourselves. You would still take the stage and pull all this hard work in for free. When your life goal is theatre, it's all about happiness and contentment in life. There are always going to be people that think you chose the wrong career, but in reality, nothing else feels so right.
For those of you that aren't theatre majors, the best way to support the theatre program and your theatre friends is to come to their shows and keep theatre programs in schools. This is their life and their passion, and without these vital programs and theaters, there would always be something missing. You never know how much you need something until it's gone. Just imagine if your program was cut, and apply that to theatre people. Your biggest thank you for them is your support.
Thank you, actors, techs, and supporters of the theatre.
