I always get looks of concern when I tell them that I am a theatre major and plan to pursue this career path. They think that I won't be able to find a job immediately after graduation and I will have to settle for a job that is ideal and practical. A job that comes with benefits or a retirement plan. I then ask them, "Are you happy with your job?" Some say yes, but most say no. And that's the reason why, I don't want to hate my job. I want to love it.
I knew from a young age that I would never work in an office or in an environment where I am not physically doing something. I never knew it would theatre, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Theatre keeps me on my toes and it stresses me out in ways that I never knew was possible, but I love it. I want to love my job and the people who will work in it. Yes, it will be hard to find a job, but that's why you always have connections. Theatre is made up of a spiderweb of connections and there can be that one person who you worked on a single show with that can get you a recommendation to your dream job. Am I scared to pursue this career, yes, but I love it too much to let go of it. It is going to take hard work and time to be at the place where I want to be, but I'm willing to do anything for it.
I don't want to be stuck at job where I file peoples papers or at a job that involves food for the rest of my life. Would I get decent amount money working there? Probably. They probably will make more money than I will when I first start working at a theatre company. That's a fact. I'm willing to accept that. Working in the theatre world is a very difficult thing to do especially when you first start out, but it will teach me things that I will carry with me until I die.
Theatre has already taught me so many lessons for instance, always be on time. You never want to be late, as a professor once told me, "It's better to be there ten minutes ahead then on time." Another lesson theatre has taught me is always be organized. If you ever become stage manager or assistant stage manager then make sure you have your life in order. There have been days as a stage manager where you go to school from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then have rehearsal from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week. It's a hard life , but it's the people and the environment that make it worth it.
I found a place that I loved and knew that I wanted to work in this environment when I grew up. It's the environment that really drew me into the theatre life. During a show run there is this energy that is mixed with fear, excitement, nerves, and adrenaline that just somehow spoke to me. Maybe I am crazy, but that's most theatre kids. I loved the people even though they can really get on my nerves when it comes to show week. It's the fascination that hundreds of creative people come together to make a single play or musical and bring it to life.
When people give me that worried look on their faces, it just makes me want to prove them wrong -- to let them know that I can and will make this a viable career path for anyone who wants to purse it.
