As an engineering major, the performing arts couldn't be farther from what I'm studying in school. Even so, theatre has always been a huge part of my life, and I still perform in shows in my spare time. I've learned a lot from performing over the years, and some of the lessons that can be taken away from theatre are applicable in many other areas.
Memorization
Memorizing lines is probably the most vital part of any successful show – without being off book, actors can’t perform their work. Having lines memorized is a basis for everything else the actors work on throughout the rehearsal process, and knowing them like the back of their hand allows the actors to focus on character development, blocking and other things. Being able to memorize something quickly is an important skill that can translate to many other things, like studying for a test or giving a speech.
Physical activity
Growing up, I was never very athletic. I didn’t play any sports or go to the gym; instead, I got most of my exercise from dance classes. A lot of people don’t realize how strenuous dance is or how much physical effort it takes – dancers must be strong, flexible and well balanced, and they must have complete control over every movement of their body. On top of that, dancers also have to make their work look graceful and easy.
Working under pressure
Anyone who’s ever gone through tech week understands how stressful it is. There's a huge time crunch involved in getting a presentable show together before opening night, and more often than not, the cast is able to pull it together at the last minute. The ability to work well under stress and not panic, even when faced with the possibility of failure, is necessary in any field.
Teamwork
Long ago, I was told by a director that a strong ensemble can make or break a show. This is true not only for a show’s actual ensemble, but for the entire cast. A sense of camaraderie is formed when a group of people is all going through the same stress and experiencing an emotional journey together. Theatre has taught me to work well with other people and make choices that benefit the show as a whole, and this sort of teamwork is important for any successful project.
Empathy
Acting is about embracing a different person’s mindset and state of being or literally placing yourself in someone else’s shoes. Because of this, I’ve noticed that the theatre community tends to be very empathetic and accepting of others. Whether you want to work in science or politics or writing, developing a strong sense of empathy and letting it influence your work is vital.
